Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Agriculture Program is once again offering its LEAF (Learn. Empower. Achieve. Farm.) educational programming, starting with “Introduction to Beekeeping” from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 12.

All workshops will be held at the Frank Bratt Agricultural Center in Jamestown, 3542 Turner Road.

To register, contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll at 664-9502, ext. 202, email kaw249@cornell.edu or visit www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua/leaf2019.

“Introduction to Beekeeping” will be offered for $5 a person. Local beekeepers Dennis and Laura LaMonica of the Panama Bee Farm and Honey Company will share their experiences and education with an overview of this topic.

The workshop will discuss beekeeping basics such as a brief history of beekeeping, honey bee biology, and seasonal beekeeping tasks along with honey bee pests, diseases, and management options. The LaMonicas maintain an apiary of 50 colonies and are active participants in the Chautauqua County Beekeepers Association and will also share information on apiary location, equipment options and sources, costs of beekeeping, and recommended resources. Additional beekeeping workshops may be offered based on community interest.

Light refreshments will be offered. The LEAF workshops are designed to be interactive, so participants are encouraged to bring questions and ideas. The workshop will be held at the Frank W. Bratt Agricultural Center, 3542 Turner Road, Jamestown.

Pre-registration is requested prior to the workshop to allow for adequate time to prepare printed resources and materials. Interested participants can register online by visiting cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua/leaf2019, email kaw249@cornell.edu or call 664-9502, ext. 202.