Upcoming Workshop Introduces Warre Method of Beekeeping

A new method of beekeeping will be presented at this FoodMasters workshop.

Sunday August 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at  Coffelt Farm

You have probably heard or read about our endangered bee populations. You know the importance of bees as pollinators for our food diversity. The Warre hive may be one alternative to help ensure healthy bee populations.

In an upcoming workshop, “An Introduction to the Warre Method of Beekeeping in the Pacific NW,” learn about the Warre hive and the Warre method of beekeeping with considerations for the climate in the Pacific NW. The Warre hive method is a more sustainable alternative to some common bee keeping practices.

Attendees will have a hands-on experience of an actual Warre hive, and the tools and methods needed to maintain them, minus the bees. Although there won’t be any bees invited, this workshop is especially for the bees.

“When a beekeeper chooses a Warre hive it is inherently about what is good for the bees. When designing the Warre hive, Emil Warre wanted to develop a hive that resulted in ‘happy bees, happy beekeepers’.” –Ernie Schmidt

With questions or to register contact Ulanah McCoy sharksneedfins@gmail.com or 376-3427 registration by Aug. 11 recommended. Late registries will be accepted, earliest most appreciated! Pre-registration is required. Limited work-trade opportunities and or scholarships available upon inquiry. Cost of the workshop is $40.

There will be a potluck lunch from 1:30-2:30, so please bring dish to share.

Bio for Instructor Ernie Schmidt

Ernie Schmidt has been passionate about bees all of his life. He built his first hive when he was 12 years old. He is currently a mentor associated with the Olympia Beekeeper Association, where he is also working toward his Master Beekeeper Certification. Ernie builds, maintains, and experiments with a variety of hive styles, including Langstroths, Top Bars, and especially Warres. He is in process of developing a Warre hive for specific use in the Pacific NW. Ernie has written articles about Warre hives that have been published in Bee Culture and Countryside magazines.

Ernie resides in Olympia, WA with his wife, Lucy, where they own a nature-oriented preschool and a small hobby farm. The children who come to Foxglove Farm Childcare affectionately call Grandpa Ernie, “the Bee Man.” That is probably because if Ernie isn’t doing something “bees,” he’s thinking about doing something “bees.”

(Recommended resources: www.bee-friendly.co.uk/ Book ‘Beekeeping For All’ by Emile Warre and DVD “Queen of the Sun” available from Netflix and Orcas Library)