Be a Beekeeper with Dade Bradley, a beekeeper of seven years and a Will County resident, is intended to be a learning resource for both beginners and seasoned beekeepers alike. Participants will also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in local beehives (weather permitting). The instructor of this course is a chemical-free beekeeper, and coursework will reflect this. The course sessions will include the following: Week 1 will cover a brief history of beekeeping in America as well as some myths and misconceptions about managing honeybees. Topics will include backyard beekeeping, hive/colony losses and the modern challenges of keeping bees. Week 2 will focus on the honeybee lifecycle, anatomy and colony structure, including a detailed description of its caste system of workers, drones and queens. The lesson will also include information on replacing, introducing and sourcing queens for your own hives. Week 3 will discuss swarms and swarm management, including some tips on how to retrieve honeybee swarms as well as common pests/diseases that will be encountered in the hive. Professional resources, experience and advice regarding treatment-free beekeeping will be offered to the audience. Week 4 will explain the different options for obtaining honeybees and how to install them as well as the recommended woodenware, equipment and tools required to keep bees. A basic overview of how to conduct hive inspections and general management will also be provided. Week 5 will review hive products and how to harvest them ethically, including honey, pollen, propolis and beeswax. Colony removals, cut-outs and trap-outs as well as “natural” honeybee colonies will also be covered. Week 6 will conclude the course with a review of year-round management, including supplemental feeding and winterizing hives. Even if participants decide not to pursue beekeeping by the end of the course, the instructor hopes to provide a basic understanding of honeybee hives; the bees’ relationship to each other and their relationship to us; and our impact on our shared environment and how it affects both them and ourselves. Ages 18 and older.Registration required by Friday, June 5: 708-946-2216. https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/fpdwc/activity/search/detail/10078?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true