About the UF Bee CollegeThe most extensive educational honey bee event in the state of Florida is back for its sixth year! Everyone is welcome to attend Bee College: beekeepers, naturalists, farmers, gardeners, county agents, and anyone interested in honey bees! This two-day event offers lectures in the morning and hands-on workshops in the afternoon. We have live honey bee colonies on site for open hive demonstrations and protective gear for everyone. This event won’t leave you hungry either, we serve morning and afternoon snacks, lunch both days, a full banquet dinner on Friday evening and an ice cream social following the Awards Ceremony. At the Awards Ceremony we announce students who have entered or advanced in the Master Beekeeper Program, Welsh Honey Judges, and the place winners and Best of Show in the UF Bee College Honey Show, as well as give out door prizes. Bee College is the best time you could have learning about honey bees!ScheduleBeginner topics: There is a beginner track, listed in orange on the schedule. It is repeated both days, so that if you come only Friday or only Saturday you can attend these crucial courses. If you attend the whole event, then it gives you the opportunity to fulfill the beginner track over two days and still attend other interesting classes that may coincide with the track.Advanced Topics: We host a number of courses in a workshop-like setting where you gain experience using microscopes, building equipment, bee identification and more.Hobbyists and Craft-lovers: We have fun DIY classes like honey exhibitions, wax painting, honey marketing and much more.Something for Everyone: We try to create the classes so that they are directed toward either beginners or advanced beekeepers but can accommodate anyone interested in the subject. We also have timely keynote addresses given by some of the world's leaders in honey bee research, advocacy and literature. Children and Teachers: On Saturday we host a Jr. Bee College for kids six–16 for no additional charge. Kids get an all-day honey bee educational experience led by David and Ursula Westervelt (what a great way for you to enjoy your classes!)CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE AND SPEAKER LINEUP.Special GuestsSpecial Guest Speaker line-up this year includes:Dr. Wyatt Mangum - a life-long beekeeper and scientist. Dr. Mangum writes a monthly column for the American Bee Journal, and has traveled the world speaking on a variety of beekeeping topics. Dr. Mangum is world-renowned for his work on top-bar hives. Read more about Dr. Wyatt Mangum here ...Randy Oliver - a life-long beekeeper who practices commercial beekeeping in California, where he runs about 500 colonies in an interstate migratory operation. Mr. Oliver also researches worldwide scientific literature and beekeeping practices applying his knowledge to practical beekeeping and relays them to the public via journal articles, popular articles and through his imensly popular website, www.scientificbeekeeping.com.Michael Young, MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) - returning to Bee College by popular demand. Michael Young is a world-renowned Welsh Honey Judge, beekeeping historian, beekeeping activist and gourmet cook. Mr. Young was recognized for his outstanding service to the Arts and Sciences, Public Services outside the Civil Service and work with Charitable and Welfare organizations of all Kinds. Michael Young is from  Hillsborough, County Down, Northern Ireland, and is richly deserving of this prestige for his unfailing support for beekeeping, his honey judging skills and his promotion of use if honey in his specialty as culinary arts chef. Michael is also the chairman of the Institute of Northern Ireland Beekeepers.Dr.s Niko and Gudrun Koeniger met 1962 at University of Freiburg, Germany, where both started their studies in biology. In 1968, they both got their PhD with research on physiology and behaviour in reproductive biology of honey bees. Their 50 year intensive cooperation in research and an exploration has led them to many parts of Europe and Asia studying the honey bee. They were involved in discovering 3 species of honey bee since the 1980’s. In 1980 Niko became professor at University in Guelph in Canada and shortly after accepted the position as head of the Bee Research Institute in Oberursel, Germany. Gudrun also worked for more than 15 years in the editorial board of the scientific bee journal Apidologie. They have recently published a book “ Honey Bees of Borneo: exploring the centre of Apis diversity” describing 5 indigenous Apis species today the Koenigers study the varroa mite, in a program called “Varroa Gate”.More information can be found on www.ufhoneybee.com. Information is posted weekly. Visit EventBrite.com for pricing.