Program Description:

This presentation is designed for individuals interested in learning what is involved in starting and managing their own honeybee hives, as well as for those who are generally curious about these fascinating insects. I will cover the equipment you’ll need, how to get your bees, the castes of a honeybee colony, the work they perform in and out of the hive, collecting honey, and the importance of honeybees in our environment.

Feel-Good Statement:

From prehistoric times through the Stone Age, to Egyptian beekeepers, and into the 21st century, both bees and the honey they magically produce have fascinated us for centuries. Come see what it takes to get started in beekeeping, learn about the health benefits of the nectar and pollen they collect, and discover the important role honeybees play in pollinating about a third of the fruits and vegetables we eat every day!

Presenter Bio:

John Hedly has been a beekeeper for 17 years. He graduated from the Worcester County Beekeepers Association (WCBA) bee school in 2009. He has taught a two-night Introduction to Beekeeping class at Assabet After Dark and Bay Path programs for the past six years. He has also presented this class at many local libraries to people of all ages, some of whom went on to attend WCBA bee school and become beekeepers themselves. John has mentored several new beekeepers and is currently mentoring two in Auburn, one in Charlton, and one in Leicester. He is the former librarian for the Worcester County Beekeepers Association and a two-term member of the WCBA Board of Directors. In 2024, he was voted Beekeeper of the Year by the WCBA.

Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by emailing library@actonma.gov.