Western Dakota Technical College Learn. Do. Now.
Beekeeping
Class size is limited. Bee suits and gloves will be needed to participate in hands-on sessions. Class cost is $125.00 per person.
If you cannot attend your scheduled course, please inform the Corporate Education Center as soon as possible by email (corped@wdt.edu) or phone (605-718-2410). Registration may be moved to a future class with availability, or a full refund may be offered for individuals giving at least 72 hours' notice or with extenuating circumstance for a last-minute cancellation (sickness, death in the family, etc). This is available one time per student. The full fee will be charged for all future registrations with no refund option.
See below for Spring 2026 dates and information.
Other upcoming dates:
NEW! Summer Basic Beekeeping Course - July 18 & 19, 2026 9am to 4pm each day. Apiary time Saturday (18th) from 6pm to 8pm
FALL 2026 DATES - Basic Beekeeping - August 24-28 6pm to 9pm; Advanced Beekeeping - October 19-22 6pm to 9pm; Apiary Day-Saturday, October 24 (weather permitting)
| Class |
Dates | Description | Time |
Spring 2026 Basic Beekeeping |
|
Learn the basics of keeping honey bees, including considerations to get started, bee biology, major tasks centered on each “bee season”, an introduction to recognizing and treating common honey bee ailments and pests and experience hands-on training in the WDT apiary. The hands-on portion will include inspections, mite treatments and winterizing your apiary hives. By the end of this course, students will receive the basic knowledge to successfully manage and overwinter your colony. No Prerequisites to attend the basic course. |
Classes will be from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm each day. |
| Spring 2026 Advanced Beekeeping |
Monday-Thursday, March 30-April 2, 2026 Apiary Day - Saturday, April 4th-weather permitting |
The Advance Beekeeping expands on the knowledge received during the basic beekeeping course and focuses on the details of colony management: Pest and Disease Treatments, queen management and Supplemental Feeding. It also includes instruction on the honeybee’s internal anatomy, bee subspecies and reproduction and how to expand (hive splitting) and self-sustaining your apiary. The hands-on session will include deliberate hive inspections and hive splitting using several easy and effective techniques. |
Classes will be from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm each day. Apiary Day (based on weather) 9:00am-12:00pm at the apiary - Saturday, April 4th |
A Buzz in the Black Hills Conference
2026 Conference
February 20-21, 2026
Friday - 6:00pm to 9:00pm - Speakers & Social - Zymurcracy Beer Company - Rapid City
Saturday - 8:00am - 4:30pm - Western Dakota Technical College - Rapid City
Cost to attend: Pre-registration cost-$49/single or $75/couple; Day of cost is $75/single or $95/couple.
Saturday breakfast from 7am - 8am and lunch are both included in ticket price
Sponsored by WDTC Environmental Club, Black Hills Area Beekeeper's Club and DRB Beekeeping and Supplies, LLC.
CLICK TO PRE-REGISTER
This conference is for all levels of Beekeepers. This year’s conference theme is "Does Anyone Have a Queen?"
Topics will focus on and around the most important bee in the colony.
Speakers Include:
Dr. Tom Repas
Garrett Slater
Carlos Peraya
More speakers will be added to the list soon!
Local Vendor Booths, Free Door Prizes and Silent Auctions
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