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Course Details
Course Name: Bee-ginner’s Beekeeping: The Basics of Apiculture
Course Code: AE0401WC22
Date of Most Recent Offering: May 2 – 23, 2022
Course Overview
This online class is designed to provide information that new beekeepers need to start and care for a honey bee colony. Learn everything you need to know to further your hobby or get your business off the ground!
Participants will be introduced to bee biology and management. Participants will also learn how to assemble hives, open and examine colonies, and see how honey and beeswax are harvested.
This course fulfills the legal requirements of the State of New Jersey for beekeeper education: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/pdf/Diseasesofbees.pdf.
Featured Topics
- Bee Biology
- Disease and Mite Prevention
- Hive Assembly and Management
- Honey Extraction
- Queen Bee Purchasing
- And Much More!
Who Should Attend?
Whether you are brand new to beekeeping or already have a few years as an apiarist under your belt, you will gain valuable insights from our seasoned instructor and his experience.
Our students come from all walks of life – attorneys, teachers, retirees, farmers, artists – but they leave with one thing in common: a newfound confidence to start their own hives and pursue their passion for beekeeping.
Meet Your Instructors
Mike Haberland, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Mike Haberland is an associate professor and County Environmental Agent with Rutgers University Cooperative Extension. He uses applied research and collaborates with organizations to develop programs that assist in the creation, promotion, and education, of innovative environmental, sustainable community, and natural resource management practices. Mike uses beekeeping and the creation of native pollinator habitat for research and as a way to educate the public on the importance of pollinators.
Debra Haberland, Working Girls Meadows

Debbie is a marine biologist, teacher, and owner of Working Girls Meadows. She has been involved in beekeeping for over seven years. One of her main goals is to use her education and scientific background to promote the science of beekeeping and educate on the importance of pollinators. The goal of Debbie’s apiaries is to produce queens and nucleus hives to increase the availability of locally-raised and adapted bees in order to assist the survival and health of bees in our area.
Student Reviews
“I loved this course and have wanted to learn more about beekeeping for years. The fact that it was online meant that I could do it! I really liked the ability to be able to ask questions and was impressed at how quickly they were answered.”
– Past Participant
“I really enjoyed the course; it was beyond my expectations. The live Zoom session was excellent and good way to wrap up the course. Terrific job!”
– Past Participant
“I have already recommended this course [to others]. I thought it was a great, thorough course for beginners and achieved in making me feel confident enough to try beekeeping.”
– Past Participant
Continuing Education Credits
There are no continuing education credits offered for this course.
Attention U.S. Veterans

This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions about Bee-ginner’s Beekeeping, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Program Coordinator: Pamela Springard-Mayer
848-932-7463
pspring@rutgers.edu

Administrative Assistant: Jackie Findra
848-932-7180
j.findra@rutgers.edu
For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.