From prehistoric times, through the Stone Age, the Egyptian beekeepers, and into the 21st century, both bees and honey they magically produce have fascinated us for centuries. Come see what it takes to be a beekeeper, the equipment you’ll need to set up your first hive, adding bees to your hive, understanding all the work the bees do inside and outside the hive, and honey extraction. Also learn the important role the honeybees play in pollinating about a third of the fruits and vegetables we eat every day!

Presenter John Hedly:

-- I have been a beekeeper for 16 years.

-- I graduated from the Worcester County Beekeepers Association (WCBA) bee school in 2009.

-- I have presented a two-night Introduction to Beekeeping class at the Assabet After Dark and Bay Path programs for the past four years.

-- I have presented the Introduction to Beekeeping class to many libraries in the local area for people of all ages, some of which led people to attend our bee school and becoming beekeepers themselves.

-- I have mentored several new beekeepers in the past and I am currently mentoring two beekeepers in Auburn and one in Charlton.

-- I am the former librarian for the Worcester County Beekeepers Association

-- I am a two-term member of the WCBA Board of Directors

-- I was nominated for Beekeeper of the Year for the past two years by the WCBA.