Saturday, December 6, 2008

1:00 - 3:30 p.m

$35 per person

Location: Nisse Farm (near Manteno, Illinois)

Mark Hoffman
checking a hive.

“There are certain pursuits which, if not wholly poetic and true, do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation to nature than we know. The keeping of bees, for instance.”
Henry David Thoreau

Have you been thinking about starting a hive
but don’t know where to start?

Now is the time to begin thinking about gathering your beekeeping supplies and equipment for next spring. What do you really need right away and what can wait a while? You may be able to find used equipment on Ebay or how about adding it to your Christmas list. This afternoon workshop will acquaint would be apiarists with what they will need to get started and what will be required to maintain honey bee hives.

Beekeeping is a great hobby with the added benefit of an abundant garden and a small business. Local honey is very popular and easy to sell. Get two different perspectives from the presenters Mark Hoffman and Julie Larsen. Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his 20 years of beekeeping and Julie is a new beekeeper who will discuss the trials and tribulations of starting her hives.

Topics include:

There will be some time at the end of the workshop to learn how to put together hive frames with foundation so please bring a small hammer with you.

Cost is $35 and includes handouts.

Click here for directions to Nisse Farm

Julie and Zorro

Julie Larsen
Julie lives just north of the Kankakee River State Park with her husband Jim and daughter Grace (as well as Zorro her pet goat, a couple llamas, a flock of chickens, and four beehives). She has a passion for sustainable living, holds a masters degree in environmental biology, has operated an organic flower and vegetable farm, and was chef/owner of a café in Chicago. She is also CSC's Outreach Coordinator.

 

 

Bio: Mark Hoffman

Mark Hoffman

Mark is one of the founding members of the Center for Sustainable Community, having been engaged in the Stelle Community for over 20 years. Mark grew up on a wheat and cattle farm in central Kansas, and his farmboy roots provide the foundation for a number of agricultural pursuits include beekeeping, raising poultry, and operating the permaculture oriented gardens at the bed and breakfast he and his wife Guia operate two miles from Stelle. Professionally, Mark works as a technical writer, trainer, and engineer, and serves as the webmaster for the CSC website.