TN Master Beekeeping Program

TN Master Beekeeping Classes

Tennessee Master Beekeeping classes are coordinated by the State Apiculturist (Jennifer Tsuruda) and the State Apiarist (Mike Studer) and put on in cooperation with county Extension offices.

There are no prerequisites for the Basic Level class. Even if you do not have bees yet, you will learn skills to help you be a successful beekeeper. Classes are capped at 35 participants and may be cancelled if a minimum of 15 participants is not met. These classes are for participants aged 18 and over; younger youth are encouraged to participate in their county’s Extension 4-H Entomology & Beekeeping Program. Please note that if you intend to take the Advanced class in the future, the Basic Level class is a prerequisite – no waivers or exceptions.

All TN Master Beekeeping Program Classes

• In-person only and include hands-on activities
• Two days, 8:30am-5pm each day
• Must full attend (no arriving late or leaving early) and complete pre- and post-class assessments in order to receive a certificate
• $125 (includes lunches)
• Registration is online – NO WALK-IN REGISTRATION ACCEPTED
• Count for Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP)
• Please start planning and be ready to sign up once registration opens – but only register if you are sure you can make the dates, as registrations are non-transferrable and non-refundable.

Advanced Classes

Queen Rearing

Requirements for Advanced Master Bee Keeping:

• Must have Basic TN MBP certificate from 2025 or earlier
  • No exceptions or waivers
  • If you were late in filling out the mandatory post-class assessment but have already submitted it (before right now), you may register even if I have not processed your late submission and issued your certificate yet.
  • If you have not filled out the mandatory pest-class assessment already, please do not register (it will be cancelled). Instead, fill out the post-class assessment (search your email for emails from me and the name of the county where you took the class), and then fill out the Interest Form and indicate you are interested in registering if spaces are available. I will contact you if there is space available for you to register.
  • If you have not met this requirement, your registration will be cancelled and may incur a fee
• We prefer participants have 5-10 years of experience

Basic Classes

Location and Dates

• Cumberland County – May 21 – 22 (Thu – Fri)
• Madison County – June 4 – 5 (Thu – Fri)
• Loudon County – June 8 – 9 (Mon – Tue)
• Lawrence County – June 22 – 23 (Mon – Tue)
• Putnam County – June 25 – 26 (Thu – Fri)
• Williamson County – July 7 – 8 (Tue – Wed) *TENTATIVE
• Claiborne County – July 22 – 23 (Thu – Fri)
• Lincoln County – July 30 – 31 (Thu – Fri)
• Greene County – August 27 – 28 (Thu – Fri) *TENTATIVE

Notes about Basic Classes

• Another email will be sent when registration opens. The notifications about registration will include information on where and how to register.
• It is not uncommon for people who are interested in beekeeping (but do not have bees yet) to take the Basic class – I have a limited supply of protective gear that can be borrowed for the hands-on apiary session.

Webinars

Pollinator Protection Webinars

We are pleased to announce three opportunities to attend a free, one-hour webinar on pollinator protection and stewardship. These webinars are NOT part of the TN Master Beekeeping Program but offer considerations and recommendations for using pesticides where insect pollinators are present. These webinars are aimed at certified pesticide applicators, but anyone looking to understand and use pesticides responsibly around pollinators is welcome to attend. For certified pesticide applicators, the training is worth one pesticide recertification credit.

Please note this conference does NOT count as a substitute for the TN Master Beekeeping Program and does not qualify for TDA TAEP.

Conferences

Heartland Apicultural Society Conference

Please note this conference does NOT count as a substitute for the TN Master Beekeeping Program and does not qualify for TDA TAEP.

2025 – 2026 U.S. Beekeeping Survey – Closes April 30, 2026

Colony Losses & Management

Get out your records and make your survivors, losses, and practices count! There are separate surveys for beekeepers maintaining ≤50 colonies and those with >50 colonies. You can preview and access the surveys below:

Please note this survey does NOT count as a substitute for the TN Master Beekeeping Program and does not qualify for TDA TAEP.

Interest Form

*If the class you are interested in is full, please fill out the Interest Form and follow the instructions for being contacted if a seat opens up.