How do I become a beekeeper in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Beekeeping Program is an educational beekeeping school. All that is required of you to attend the Hobby Level class is curiosity, ambition to become a beekeeper, pre-registration, and fee. The Advance class requires succesfull completion of the Hobby level class, or consent of instructor.
Can you raise bees in Tennessee?
Beekeeping can be enjoyed by almost anyone in Tennessee, whether you live on a farm or have nothing more than a backyard for your new hobby. While you can start learning about beekeeping any time of the year, the spring is the best time to establish new colonies.
Can anyone start a bee farm?
Best of all, it’s something nearly anyone can do. While most agricultural products require acreage, extensive knowledge, and heavy equipment, starting a bee farm is by comparison inexpensive, simple, and convenient—not to mention “sweetly” rewarding.
When should I start a beehive in Tennessee?
spring
Starting a hive as early in the spring as possible—in Tennessee, April is ideal—gives your bees the best chance to store enough honey to make it.
Are honey bees protected in Tennessee?
Please remember that by law all honey bee colonies in the state of Tennessee are required to be registered. All honey bees and equipment transported into, out of, within or through the state of Tennessee are required by law to be inspected (except brand new equipment that has not been used).
How often do you need to register an apiary in Tennessee?
In the Apiary Act, new apiaries are required to be registered with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. These apiaries are required to be re-registered every 3 years. The list of registered beekeepers and apiaries is maintained by the State Apiarist and upon registration, the beekeeper receives a unique registration number.
Where can I find information on beekeeping in Tennessee?
The Beekeeping in Tennessee publication can be found on the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension website. This gives excellent information to beekeepers as to when and how to do the necessary manipulations to bee colonies to be a successful beekeeper in Tennessee.
What does the Tennessee Department of Agriculture do?
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture maintains beekeeper registration files, works through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program to offer cost share opportunities and performs collaborative research and educational seminars with the University of Tennessee.
Who is the state apiarist for the state of Tennessee?
Tennessee State Apiculturist, Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda, The University of Tennessee, Entomology & Plant Pathology Dept, 2505 E.J. Chapman Drive, 207 Ellington Plant Sciences Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-4560, (865) 974-0209. E-Mail: [email protected].