Last Minute Plans: Get A Buzz With Chicago Honey Co-Op Classes

By Kim Bellware in Food on Jan 6, 2012 10:45PM

Beekeeping students learning to light a smoker (photo via the Chicago Honey Co-Op website)

When we last brought you news from The Chicago Honey Co-Op, the group was (and still is) in need of a new home once their apiary packs up from West Fillmore Street in Lawndale.

While the co-op searches for new digs, it will still run its twice-yearly beekeeping classes, the first of which kicks off Saturday, Jan. 7. The remaining winter session classes will be help Jan. 21, Feb. 4 and 18 and March 10 and 24. According to the co-op's website, registration for February and March classes will open once the previous month classes are full.

The five hour class meets at the Jane Addams Hull House Museum where students learn "the basics of starting in beekeeping, hive management, seasonal maintenance, honeybee health and basic biology."

If one of your resolutions was to expand your knowledge of urban agriculture or apiculture, this is your class. And while you're honing your skills as a future bee whisperer of Chicago, you'll get to learn more about this community organization and what else they plan to bring the city in 2012 (and while you're at it, look at all that they did in 2011 alone!)

The Chicago Honey Co-Op classes run 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/18, 3/10 and 3/24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, 800 S. Halsted St., shared potluck lunch, $70 online registration