Urban Beekeeping Academy – Astor Apiaries
Urban Beekeeping Academy

Urban Beekeeping Academy

$2,575.00
$2,575.00
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The Astor Apiaries Urban Beekeeping Academy is a fully immersive program where participants will learn responsible beekeeping skills and management under the supervision of a certified Master Beekeeper. This full-season program will cover all aspects of starting and caring for a colony of honey bees, harvesting honey, and being an informed member of the beekeeping community.

This program is $2495 if you pay by cash or check. An additional 3% is reflected in the online price to cover transaction fees. To save the transaction fees you can pay in person by cash or check. You can also mail in a check, but please contact us first so we hold a slot for you until your check is received and clears. Checks should be made out to "Astor Apiaries, Inc" and can be mailed to Astor Apiaries, 33-22 23rd Ave, Astoria, NY 11105

By signing up and paying your tuition, you affirm that you have read and agree with the information in our FAQs. Please read them fully before making your purchase.

What You'll Experience:

  • 20+ Sessions & Events from January-November 2025 - Each session will include some lecture time and some hands-on time where you will practice concepts we carry through the season. Events will introduce you to aspects of beekeeping outside the hive.
  • Sessions will generally be 1st and 3rd Sundays from 9am-12pm at Sky Farm in Long Island City, Queens. See specific dates for details.
  • Hands-On Experience with a Dedicated Hive
  • Hands-On Honey Harvesting
  • Swarm Catching/Rescue (if available)
  • 1-on-1 Season-Long Mentorship
  • Multiple Apiary Locations to Visit
  • Private Group Chat With Instructor & Fellow Students

Additional Items Included:

  • A free copy of "The Beekeeper's Handbook"
  • Complementary 12-month NY Bee Club Membership
  • Bee Jacket
  • Hive Tool
  • Free 2-year license to Appiary, the hive tracking app
  • Completion Certificate
  • Student Discounts to Astor Apiaries Products, Services, and Events

2025 Dates:

  1. 1/19 - 9-11am - Class @ The Honey House
  2. 2/2 - 9-11am - Class @ The Honey House
  3. 2/16 - 9-11am - Class @ The Honey House
  4. 3/2 - 9-11am - Class @ The Honey House
  5. 3/16 - 12-3pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  6. 4/6 - 12-3pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm (very tentative)
  7. 4/20 - 12-3pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm (very tentative)
  8. 5/4 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  9. 5/18 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  10. 6/1 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  11. 6/15 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  12. 6/29 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  13. 7/13 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  14. 7/27 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  15. 8/10 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  16. 8/21 - 9am-11am - Honey Harvest @ Sky Farm
  17. 8/23 - 8am-12pm - Honey Extraction @ The Honey House
  18. 8/24 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  19. 9/7 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  20. 9/21 - 9am-11am - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  21. 9/21 - 4-7pm - Honey Workshop @ The Honey House
  22. 10/5 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  23. 10/19 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  24. 11/2 - 9am-12pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  25. 11/16 - 12-3pm - Hands-On @ Sky Farm
  26. 12/9 - 7-9pm - End Of Season Dinner @ TBA

All dates in the schedule are tentative and may be changed. Beekeeping is always dependent on good weather and other factors outside of our control. If sessions must be rescheduled, we will do so with as much notice as possible.


Beekeeping Safety Considerations:

Beekeeping is fun and rewarding but also comes with the risk of physical injury to yourself or those around you. Our main priority is the safety of all those who visit our apiary sites. We will provide you with a safety briefing and make sure that all participants are adequately protected with safety gear in order to participate. Participants who do not bring the necessary gear or behave in a risky manner will be asked to leave immediately and may not be allowed to return. All participants will be required to sign a waiver for every visit to an apiary and agree to follow all safety instructions from Astor Apiaries team members or host site agents.

While we carry a first aid kit, please note that we cannot administer medication, including but not limited to Benedryl, epinephrine, etc. All participants are responsible for their own medications if needed.

For more information or for FAQs, please visit the Academy Page.

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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C
C.L.
I learned so much and loved every minute

The UBA program was a hands on, thorough, and delightful education in all things beekeeping. The class itself came to demonstrate the macro-organism of the hive, as we all worked together to learn from all the hives in the colony. Nick was always accessible to answer questions and illustrate ideas with his personal experience of the craft. I met some really wonderful people and, while I feel confident I could get on my way with hives of my own, I’d do the course again and recommend it to anyone with an interest.

M
M.
UBA Program

The UBA program reignited my love of nature and science. Learning about the biology of the bees, their lifecycles and the coordinated, collaborative hierarchy within the hive was fascinating. The hands on responsibility of caring for a hive through the whole season was practical experience that could not have learned from just books.
I enjoyed every moment of interacting with the hive, I could have watched the bees all day.
Nick also provided extra curricular opportunities to accompany him on hive checks in NYC. It was invaluable, practical, hands on experience that led to a better understanding of beekeeping in different environments and locations.
The folks I took the class with were fantastic, and I look forward to trading stories as they continue in their beekeeping adventures. I wish I would have taken this class years ago.

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