On-Farm Workshop The Beekeeper Experience

Come suit up as a beekeeper for a day at Funny Farm Apiaries in Berks County, PA and see how the benefits of having a hive are un-bee-lievable.

This workshop is intended for folks who are new to beekeeping or curious about working with bees. We’ll be taking a peek into live hives, explaining what to look for when inspecting the health of honey bees. 

Funny Farm Apiaries is a family-owned and operated business in Mertztown, PA. Beekeeping started as a hobby on the farm and has grown into a 90-hive operation. With a partnership with Hives For Heroes, Funny Farm Apiaries uses their platform to help mentor Veterans & First Responders. Researchers say the act of beekeeping may help people with mental health issues such as stress. In addition to “beekeeping therapy,” Funny Farms builds connections with the community through mentoring, beekeeper experiences, talks, farm tours, and honey sales.

Can’t make it on this date? The same workshop is also being offered on May 19.  Learn more and register here.

Notes

Each participant must sign (or their parents or legal guardian) a participation agreement available at the apiary on the day of the tour. If need be, we can email the form to you for prior signatures. This agreement ensures that you or the parent / legal guardian understands the inherent risk around a working bee hive. We will not be held liable for bee stings, allergic reactions, or unsafe behavior by participants of your tour, as well as our right to refuse a participant a tour if we deem they are acting in an unsafe manner at the apiary and near the bee hives.

• This is a hands-on workshop. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear and consider the following as it pertains to working with bees:
  • Wear long pants (preferably NOT black). Bee suits are NOT stingproof.
  • Do not wear perfume or strongly scented products.
  • Wear socks that cover your ankles.
  • Wear boots or sneakers.
• Capacity: This event is limited to 6 registrants.
• COVID-19: Please review our safety protocols for in-person events.
• Questions? Check out our in-person event FAQs. If you still have a question, contact events@pasafarming.org.