Most beekeepers lose some colonies every year and will need replacement colonies. Raising your own nucs allows the beekeeper to accomplish several things at the same time: swarming can be controlled, varroa mites can be partially managed, and great replacement colonies and queens can be produced with minimal investment. It also is a very enjoyable and rewarding pursuit. In this talk, Jack Rath, the Betterbee queen rearing and nuc production program manager, will focus on the theory and practice of nucleus production with an emphasis on later season nucs for overwintering.

 
Jack Rath currently manages the queen rearing and nuc production program at Betterbee in Greenwich, NY. Jack started keeping bees in 1968 with a beginners kit and package bees bought from the Montgomery Wards Catalog. He received his  DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) from Cornell University in 1978 and from 1979 to 2012 practiced veterinary medicine treating dairy cattle and horses. Jack became co-owner at Betterbee in 2012 and currently lives with his with wife Sarah in West Pawlet, VT.

Advance registration is highly recommended, but walk-ins are always welcome, space permitting.

Withdrawals: To withdraw your registration from a class, please contact us as soon as possible so we can make your space available to others. If you give us at least 7 days’ notice prior to the event, we will refund you less an administrative fee equaling 25% of the program cost.
Please note: we cannot offer refunds for withdrawals less than 7 days before a class.