Educational Club Meetings

Upcoming club meeting dates:

Scroll down to the bottom of this page for details about upcoming events in chronological order.

Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S Church St Zeeland, MI 49464

6:30-6:45 pm - Open Forum Q&A. Come with photos or videos & questions!
6:45-7:00 pm - Opening Remarks - HABA President
7:00-8:30 pm - Presentation and Q&A
8:30-8:45 pm - Closing Remarks / Stick around for conversation.

Annual meeting schedule:
January - Gathering & annual election of board members.
February - Attend or volunteer at our Bee School, no regular meeting. Volunteers get free admission!
March - Attend Michigan Beekeepers Association & MSU Extension Spring Conference, no regular meeting.
April through November - Regular meetings, usually the 2nd Thursday, scroll to bottom of page for a chronological list.
December - No meeting.

ARE YOU A NEW BEEKEEPER?……OR A “WANNA-BEE BEEKEEPER”?

Consider HABA’s MENTOR PROGRAM for the future.

This program is an outgrowth of our educational mission: we endeavor to educate and help every beekeeper – and every “wanna-bee beekeeper”, too. Our aim is to educate, assist, and help every person who attends our meetings to become successful at raising honeybees. If you have 0 – 2 years of experience at raising bees, you qualify.  We have senior, experienced beekeepers who have been through all the difficult periods in a beekeeper's life and can help you.  More information on our website: https://www.hollandbees.org/first-year-beekeepers

Ready to be a Mentor? Are you an experienced beekeeper ready to give back to the beekeeping community? HABA mentors are individuals with multiple years of experience in beekeeping. If you  are a member of  HABA and reside in Ottawa County you qualify to be one of our esteemed Mentor’s. 

To apply for either position, contact Rich Dykstra, the HABA Mentor Coordinator using the bottom below to sign up. 

Field Days & Other Events

These in-person events are designed for hands-on experience and close-up observation. All levels of beekeeping experience are welcome! These events are usually free but registration may be required which will open about 3-4 weeks in advance.

Because Field Days are hands-on experiences, PLEASE BRING PROTECTIVE GEAR TO WEAR AT ALL EVENTS.

Sign-up for our newsletter below for details as they are announced or check this page for dates in the grey area below.

May Field Day:

May 1 (this is a new date) - Bee Package Installation Demos

• No Registration, just show up!

• Demo Times: 9 AM - 11 AM - 1 PM - 3 PM - 5 PM

• Location: Don Lam Bees, 882 West 26th Street, Holland, MI 49423

Choose a time that fits your schedule to experience firsthand how it’s done. Protective gear should be worn! You can observe or participate in the process. In-person observation is the best way to learn. HABA board members will be there to conduct the demos.

April 30: Don needs people to help unload the bee packages.

• 8 AM, approximate truck arrival

• 10+ people, takes about 2-3 hours

• No beekeeping experience needed!

• Protective suit/jacket and gloves is helpful.

• You will meet new people who love honey bees!!!

June Field Day in 2 Parts:

Queen Rearing and Splits (Colony Increase) Workshop - 2 parts
Shaana Way, Instructor

— Registration LINK —

Part 1 - June 7, 12-3 pm
- 12-1:30 -Classroom (cover 3-4 methods of generating queens for increase)
- 1:30-3 PM - hands-on in the hives (target 3 strong hives)

Part 2 - June 14, 12-3 pm
- 12-12:30 PM - Recap June 7
- 12:30- ?? Inspect hives for queen cells and make splits.
- Demo on marking queens
- Q&A / possible option to purchase the new colonies and/or mated queens

Limited to 20 participants for this 2-part Field Event. Attendance on both dates is expected.
Cost: $30 per participant plus Eventbrite fees, including BOTH dates.
WEARING PROTECTIVE GEAR IS REQUIRED!