Columbus County Beekeepers Reschedule Winter Beekeeping Course to February 13-15

The Columbus County Beekeepers Association pushed back its Beginning Beekeeping School to Feb. 13-15 at the N.C. Cooperative Extension in Whiteville. The original Jan. 30-Feb. 1 dates became impossible with snow covering the streets and harsh temperatures.

The Feb. 13 session runs from 6 to 9 p.m. On Feb. 14, participants attend a full-day session stretching from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The final session on Feb. 15 meets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"The class times and location will remain the same. We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause, but we want to ensure everyone can travel safely and focus on learning about our favorite pollinators without the stress of icy roads. There is still time for more students to sign up, so bring a friend," said Barry Chadwick of the association in a Facebook post, according to Columbus County News.

Students will learn material for both the written and hands-on exam required for N.C. Beekeeping Certification. Taking the exam isn't mandatory for attendance. A required PPE field day happens at a later date.

Registration costs $70 and grants county and state membership. Books aren't included. Participants should purchase 'Beekeeping for Dummies' through Amazon or Dandant before the first class.

Register ahead of time to make sure you get a spot. Payment options include Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App at www.ccbeeclub.com. The extension sits at 45 Government Complex Drive.