Chris Foster of Hidden Valley Honey tending bees.
Beekeeping is on the rise as a business venture, and new beekeepers often are stung by hidden costs.
Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute offers ‘The Business of Beekeeping,’ a workshop on Nov. 7, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., at WNC Carson City Campus, 2201 West College Parkway. Cost is $25 for those registering by Saturday, and $35 afterward. Lunch is included. Seating is limited and registration is required. Online registration is available at http://www.wnc.edu/ce/sci/.
Participants will learn from industry experts the basics of how to establish and manage healthy hives and have a profitable business. The workshop will explore the business of beekeeping, from two colonies to a thousand. Participants will learn about business planning, equipment needs, how to establish and manage hives, disease and pest management, harvesting and extracting honey, and more.
Featured speaker Troy Bunch of Bunch Apiaries in Hughson, Calif., began raising bees as a hobby in 1976. He now manages more than a thousand hives with earnings from pollination fees and honey sales. He has been a full‑time beekeeper for almost 20 years.
Bunch advises beekeepers and presents at conferences. He has also served as a board member of the California State Beekeepers Association and the American Beekeeping Federation.
Joining Bunch will be business management consultant Marie Gibson of Gibson, Gale & Associates. Gibson has more than 25 years of business experience, and degrees in business administration and agricultural economics. She will guide participants through the basics of business planning as Bunch teaches the business of beekeeping.
The WNC Specialty Crop Institute is an innovative program that teaches alternative farming methods to local growers. Funding is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Information/registration: Ann Louhela, 775-423-7565 Ext. 2260 or ann.louhela@wnc.edu.