RCBCA Intermediate/Advanced Class

Description

The Intermediate/Advanced Beekeeping course is being offered by the Raleigh County Beekeepers Cooperative Association.

Space is limited to 10 participants.

Course Prerequisite:    Current or past beekeeping experience

Recommended:            Previous beginner beekeeping course – Keeping hives or beekeeping greater than one year

Course Instructor:        Mark Lilly is the current President of the Raleigh County Beekeepers Cooperative Association. Mr. Lilly is also a West Virginia Master Beekeepers and an EAS Master Beekeeper. He is currently a beekeeper/educator for the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective, managing over 800 colonies.

This course will consist of one Saturday session on Saturday, March 1, 2026.  The class will run from 8:30AM to 4:00PM and will be held at the Raleigh County Board of Education Central Office located at 105 Adair Street, Beckley, WV  25801.  In case of inclement weather, the class will be rescheduled for another Saturday and participants will be notified via email.

Course fees are as follows:

• $40 per student/$50 per couple for non-members pre-registered (Pre-registration January 15, 2026 to February 17, 2026)
• $30 per student/$40 per couple for RCBCA members, pre-registered
• $50 per student/$60 per couple for non-pre-registered

Interested in becoming a member of the Raleigh County Beekeepers Cooperative Association?

Benefits of RCBCA Membership

• Membership is for entire immediate family ($15 goes to the RCBCA & $10 goes for membership in the WV Beekeepers Association)
• Monthly meeting with education programming
• Reduced product costs through cost-sharing opportunities with the RCBCA
• Reduced honey extraction fees for extractions through the Raleigh County Schools Extraction Center
• Hands-on beekeeping workshops at the Raleigh County Schools Apiary Yard
• Collaborative partnerships with local community groups
• Opportunity to sell honey in the annual Beckley Honey Festival
• Mentorship from other RCBCA members
• Honey and beekeeping supplies sales opportunities
• Fellowship with local beekeepers
• Discounts at RCBCA classes and WVBA conferences
• Discounted Extraction Fees at the Raleigh County School Extraction Center