Beekeeping Clubs and Classes Near You

A local club is the fastest way into beekeeping. It is where the beginner courses, the mentors, the swarm lists, and the people who will answer your questions in May all are. This page covers how to find one, what they usually offer, and what to ask before you join.

Start with your state or national association

Most state and national associations list their member clubs or local branches. Our regional pages link to them, plus some of the larger local clubs, for 16 regions:

California
3 listed
Texas
2 listed
Florida
2 listed
Ohio
1 listed
New York
2 listed
United Kingdom
2 listed
Germany
2 listed
France
2 listed
Australia
2 listed
New Zealand
2 listed
Pennsylvania
3 listed
Georgia
3 listed
North Carolina
2 listed
Michigan
2 listed
Illinois
2 listed
Washington
3 listed

What a club usually offers

  • → A beginner course. Usually several evening or weekend sessions, often with a hands-on day at the club apiary once the weather allows.
  • → A mentor. Many clubs pair first-year beekeepers with an experienced member. It is often the single most useful thing a new beekeeper gets from a club, and it is rarely advertised on the website.
  • → Monthly meetings. Talks, local timing advice, and people who keep bees in the same climate as you.
  • → Shared kit and group buys. Some clubs lend or hire out extractors and other equipment, and many coordinate bulk orders for bees, woodenware, and treatments.
  • → The swarm list. Members who collect swarms for the public. It is also how many beekeepers get their first free colony.

Questions to ask before you join

  1. When does the next beginner course start, and when does enrolment close?
  2. Does the course include time at a real apiary, in a suit, with open hives?
  3. Is there a mentor program, and how are mentors matched?
  4. What does membership include? Ask about equipment loans, group buys, and any insurance cover.
  5. Where and when does the club meet, and can you visit once before joining?

Common questions

How do I find a beekeeping club near me?

Start with your national or state beekeeping association. Most list their member clubs or local branches. The regional pages in our directory link straight to those associations.

When do beginner beekeeping classes run?

Most club courses run in the months before the spring build-up, so they finish before new colonies arrive. That means enrolment often opens well before you need it. Dates change every year, so check with the club directly.

Do I need to join a club to keep bees?

Usually not. But a club is the easiest way to get a mentor, hands-on apiary time, local advice on timing and treatments, and a place on the swarm list. Ask what membership includes before you join.

Read ahead

Before the first session, start with how to learn beekeeping and the beginner starter kit guide. Back to the beekeeper directory.

Running a club?

On Pro, HiveSense lets a club share an apiary between members, with roles for who can log inspections and who can only view them. It works with no signal at the club apiary.

Install HiveSense →