An "Introduction to Beekeeping" short course will be presented by the Lakelands Beekeepers Association and Clemson Extension Service at the Greenwood County Tennis Center in Greenwood.

Veteran beekeepers, beginners, and prospective beekeepers should benefit from attending.

The course is designed primarily for hobby beekeepers.

The short course will be taught on Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., February 3 through March 17, 2009. A field day at a local bee yard and practical test will conclude the course on Saturday, March 28.

Topics to be covered include: honeybee biology, beekeeping equipment, managing honeybees, nectar sources, insects and diseases affecting the honeybee, and processing honey. Speakers will be Dr. Mike Hood, Clemson University honeybee specialist, journeyman beekeepers and local experienced beekeepers.

Registration fee for the course is $45, which includes reference books, hand-out materials, and a one-year complimentary membership in the Lakelands Beekeepers Association.

You may call your local Clemson Extension Service office to request a registration form or contact Wallace Wood, County Extension Agent, by email at wwd@clemson.edu or call 864-465-2112, ext. 112.

You may also contact Donna Boozer, president, Lakelands Beekeepers Association for more information by email at donnaboozer@embarqmail.com or call 229-1627.

Registration deadline is Friday, January 23.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.

Should you require special accommodations due to a disability, please notify our office at least ten days prior to the event.