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