Why We Built This Program

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A serious beekeeping course for those who don’t fit the traditional mold.

When I decided to pursue a master beekeeping certification, all I wanted was to learn and become the best beekeeper I could be. Still, as a disabled veteran and former first responder, I have some limitations. Those limitations made most traditional programs either impractical or completely out of reach, and I knew I couldn’t be the only one. There had to be other veterans, first responders, or individuals facing similar physical, emotional, or logistical challenges who wanted to go further in their beekeeping journey but kept running into roadblocks. 

This program was built for them and for anyone else who wants a more flexible, intelligent, and supportive path to beekeeping mastery.

We designed this program from the ground up by combining the best parts of more than a dozen respected master beekeeping programs across the United States. Then we stripped away the unnecessary barriers and made it more accessible without lowering the quality. Every lesson, every requirement, and every skill was developed in collaboration with a team of master beekeepers and led by a former college professor with a PhD and more than twenty years of experience in adult education. I was the first student to go through this program as we built it, and I continue to test and refine it before releasing each section. 

The program is 100 percent online. You can work through it on your own schedule, from anywhere, with no expiration date. You will also have continued access to new modules, updates, and refinements that are added over time. You will not be left behind as the course evolves. There are weekly office hours where you can schedule a one-on-one phone call or video session if you need help, clarification, or just need someone to discuss a challenge. This isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it course. You will get real support. 

How many programs are willing to change their structure to fit your needs? Most programs will try to meet the minimum legal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. That is the starting point for them, but we go further. We are building in alternate assessments, modified assignments, and personalized solutions to remove barriers entirely. This is not about checking a box. It is about helping you succeed.

Another challenge with traditional programs is the hidden cost of participation. When I wanted to take my apprentice and journeyman exams, I had to attend state association meetings in the spring or fall. The tests themselves were affordable, but were only offered at those events. That meant conference registration fees, hotel costs, meals, and gas. Each testing weekend cost me about three hundred fifty dollars. Multiply that by the three levels of most programs (Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master), and I would have spent more than a thousand dollars just on the testing alone.

This program removes those obstacles. You do not have to travel. You do not have to wait for a conference. You do not have to worry about whether a physical or emotional limitation will prevent you from participating. If you are serious about learning and growing as a beekeeper, this course is for you.

Whether your goal is to become a more confident backyard beekeeper, to support veterans in your community, or to work in education or agriculture, this course will give you the skills, knowledge, and support to get there.

A short video will be posted here soon that explains who this program is best suited for and what you can expect. If you are considering joining, I encourage you to watch that first.

If you have questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to talk bees.

Jeff