Level One Beekeeping Certificate: Self-Guided

Level One Beekeeping Certificate

Create a thorough seasonal beekeeping work plan that suits you. Master crucial tactics, methods, and time-tested techniques to become a better beekeeper.

Bring Your Beekeeping Dreams to Life

Join bee lovers from across North America who have created productive backyard beehives, launched successful beekeeping businesses, and discovered the joy of producing and sharing their own honey and wax products through the ABC Bees Level One Online Certificate.

This comprehensive course includes 50+ instructional videos, retention activities, and community discussion boards to support your learning, and much more!

Course curriculum

1. Welcome to Level One Beekeeping!
2. Join the Learning Community!
3. Course Structure
4. Introductory Survey
1. Module 1 Introduction
2. 1.1.a The Honey Bee Family: Reading
3. 1.1.a The Honey Bee Family: Video
4. 1.1.a The Honey Bee Family: Review
5. 1.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 1.1.a Retention Activity
7. 1.1.b Inspecting the Brood Chamber: Reading
8. 1.1.b Inspecting the Brood Chamber: Video
9. 1.1.b Inspecting the Brood Chamber: Review
10. 1.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 1.1.b Retention Activity
12. 1.1.c Inspecting the Hive: Reading
13. 1.1.c Inspecting the Hive: Video
14. 1.1.c Inspecting the Hive: Review
15. 1.1.c Retention Activity Instructions
16. 1.1.c Retention Activity
17. 1.2.a Queen Bees: Reading
18. 1.2.a Queen Bees: Video
19. 1.2.a Queen Bees: Review
20. 1.2.a Retention Activity Instructions
21. 1.2.a Retention Activity
22. 1.2.b Drone Bees: Reading
23. 1.2.b Drone Bees: Video
24. 1.2.b Drone Bees: Review
25. 1.2.b Retention Activity Instructions
26. 1.2.b Retention Activity
27. 1.2.c Worker Bees: Reading
28. 1.2.c Worker Bees: Video
29. 1.2.c Worker Bees: Review
30. 1.2.c Retention Activity Instructions
31. 1.2.c Retention Activity
32. Module 1 Learning Activity
33. Module 1 Discussion
34. Module 1 Conclusion
35. Module 1 Check-In
36. Module 1 References
1. Module 2 Introduction
2. 2.1.a History of Beekeeping and Bee Packages: Reading
3. 2.1.a History of Beekeeping and Bee Packages: Video
4. 2.1.a History of Beekeeping and Bee Packages: Review
5. 2.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 2.1.a Retention Activity
7. 2.1.b Nucleus Colonies: Reading
8. 2.1.b Nucleus Colonies: Video
9. 2.1.b Nucleus Colonies: Review
10. 2.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 2.1.b Retention Activity
12. 2.1.c Single Colonies: Reading
13. 2.1.c Single Colonies: Video
14. 2.1.c Single Colonies: Review
15. 2.1.c Retention Activity Instructions
16. 2.1.c Retention Activity
17. 2.1.d Swarms and Cut-Outs: Reading
18. 2.1.d Swarms and Cut-Outs: Video
19. 2.1.d Swarms and Cut-Outs: Review
20. 2.1.d Retention Activity Instructions
21. 2.1.d Retention Activity
22. 2.2.a Essential Beekeeping Equipment: Reading
23. 2.2.a Essential Beekeeping Equipment: Video
24. 2.2.a Essential Beekeeping Equipment: Review
25. 2.2.a Retention Activity Instructions
26. 2.2.a Retention Activity
27. 2.2.b Safety and Equipment Considerations: Reading
28. 2.2.b Safety and Equipment Considerations: Video
29. 2.2.b Safety and Equipment Considerations: Review
30. 2.2.b Retention Activity Instructions
31. 2.2.b Retention Activity
32. Honey Bee Stings: Facts and Misconceptions
33. Hive Inspection Sheet
34. Langstroth Hive Measurements
35. Module 2 Discussion
36. Module 2 Learning Activity
37. Module 2 Conclusion
38. Module 2 Check-In
39. Module 2 References
1. Module 3 Introduction
2. 3.1.a Pollen and Nectar Flow: Reading
3. 3.1.a Pollen and Nectar Flow: Video
4. 3.1.a Pollen and Nectar Flow: Review
5. 3.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 3.1.a Retention Activity
7. 3.1.b Periods of Flow: Reading
8. 3.1.b Periods of Flow: Video
9. 3.1.b Periods of Flow: Review
10. 3.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 3.1.b Retention Activity
12. Pollen Colour and Seasonal Demographics
13. Module 3 Learning Activity
14. Module 3 Discussion
15. Module 3 Conclusion
16. Module 3 Check-In
17. Module 3 References
1. Module 4 Introduction
2. 4.1.a An Introduction to Feeding: Reading
3. 4.1.a An Introduction to Feeding: Video
4. 4.1.a An Introduction to Feeding: Review
5. 4.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 4.1.a Retention Activity
7. 4.1.b Approaches to Feeding: Reading
8. 4.1.b Approaches to Feeding: Video
9. 4.1.b Approaches to Feeding: Review
10. 4.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 4.1.b Retention Activity
12. 4.2.a Winter Bees: Reading
13. 4.2.a Winter Bees: Video
14. 4.2.a Winter Bees: Review
15. 4.2.a Retention Activity Instructions
16. 4.2.a Retention Activity
17. 4.2.b Feeding Schedules: Reading
18. 4.2.b Feeding Schedules: Video
19. 4.2.b Feeding Schedules: Review
20. 4.2.b Retention Activity Instructions
21. 4.2.b Retention Activity
22. 4.2.c Pollen Supplementation: Reading
23. 4.2.c Pollen Supplementation: Video
24. 4.2.c Pollen Supplementation: Review
25. 4.2.c Retention Activity Instructions
26. 4.2.c Retention Activity
27. Module 4 Learning Activity
28. Module 4 Discussion
29. Module 4 Conclusion
30. Module 4 Check-In
31. Module 4 References
1. Module 5 Introduction
2. 5.1.a Hive Placement: Reading
3. 5.1.a Hive Placement: Video
4. 5.1.a Hive Placement: Review
5. 5.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 5.1.a Retention Activity
7. 5.1.b Overcrowding and Attention: Reading
8. 5.1.b Overcrowding and Attention: Video
9. 5.1.b Overcrowding and Attention: Review
10. 5.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 5.1.b Retention Activity
12. 5.1.c Pest Management: Reading
13. 5.1.c Pest Management: Video
14. 5.1.c Pest Management: Review
15. 5.1.c Retention Activity Instructions
16. 5.1.c Retention Activity
17. 5.2.a Community Considerations: Reading
18. 5.2.a Community Considerations: Video
19. 5.2.a Community Considerations: Review
20. 5.2.a Retention Activity Instructions
21. 5.2.a Retention Activity
22. 5.2.b Preventing Drift: Reading
23. 5.2.b Preventing Drift: Video
24. 5.2.b Preventing Drift: Review
25. 5.2.b Retention Activity Instructions
26. 5.2.b Retention Activity
27. Land Use and Liability Contract Sample
28. Module 5 Learning Activity
29. Module 5 Discussion
30. Module 5 Conclusion
31. Module 5 Check-In
32. Module 5 References
33. Optional Reading: Urban Beekeeping Pilot Project
1. Module 6 Introduction
2. 6.1.a Spring Inspection: Reading
3. 6.1.a Spring Inspection: Video
4. 6.1.a Spring Inspection: Review
5. 6.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 6.1.a Retention Activity
7. 6.1.b Queen Right: Reading
8. 6.1.b Queen Right: Video
9. 6.1.b Queen Right: Review
10. 6.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 6.1.b Retention Activity
12. 6.2.a Brood Patterning: Reading
13. 6.2.a Brood Patterning: Video
14. 6.2.a Brood Patterning: Review
15. 6.2.a Retention Activity Instructions
16. 6.2.a Retention Activity
17. Module 6 Learning Activity
18. Module 6 Discussion
19. Module 6 Conclusion
20. Module 6 Check-In
21. Module 6 References
1. Module 7 Introduction
2. 7.1.a Early Summer Inspection: Reading
3. 7.1.a Early Summer Inspection: Video
4. 7.1.a Early Summer Inspection: Review
5. 7.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 7.1.a Retention Activity
7. 7.1.b Types of Cells: Reading
8. 7.1.b Types of Cells: Video
9. 7.1.b Types of Cells: Review
10. 7.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 7.1.b Retention Activity
12. 7.1.c Performing Splits: Reading
13. 7.1.c Performing Splits: Video
14. 7.1.c Performing Splits: Review
15. 7.1.c Retention Activity Instructions
16. 7.1.c Retention Activity
17. 7.1.d Supering a Colony: Reading
18. 7.1.d Supering a Colony: Video
19. 7.1.d Supering a Colony: Review
20. 7.1.d Retention Activity Instructions
21. 7.1.d Retention Activity
22. 7.1.e Combining Colonies: Reading
23. 7.1.e Combining Colonies: Video
24. 7.1.e Combining Colonies: Review
25. 7.1.e Retention Activity Instructions
26. 7.1.e Retention Activity
27. 7.1.f Installing a Queen: Reading
28. 7.1.f Installing a Queen: Video
29. 7.1.f Installing a Queen: Review
30. 7.1.f Retention Activity Instructions
31. 7.1.f Retention Activity
32. Module 7 Learning Activity
33. Module 7 Discussion
34. Module 7 Conclusion
35. Module 7 Check-In
36. Module 7 References
1. Module 8 Introduction
2. 8.1.a Signs of Fall: Reading
3. 8.1.a Signs of Fall: Video
4. 8.1.a Signs of Fall: Review
5. 8.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 8.1.a Retention Activity
7. 8.1.b Harvesting and Extracting Honey: Reading
8. 8.1.b Harvesting and Extracting Honey: Video
9. 8.1.b Harvesting and Extracting Honey: Review
10. 8.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 8.1.b Retention Activity
12. 8.1.c Fall Preparation: Reading
13. 8.1.c Fall Preparation: Video
14. 8.1.c Fall Preparation: Review
15. 8.1.c Retention Activity Instructions
16. 8.1.c Retention Activity
17. Module 8 Learning Activity
18. Module 8 Discussion
19. Module 8 Conclusion
20. Module 8 Check-In
21. Module 8 References
1. Module 9 Introduction
2. 9.1.a Hive Thermodynamics: Reading
3. 9.1.a Hive Thermodynamics: Video
4. 9.1.a Hive Thermodynamics: Review
5. 9.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 9.1.a Retention Activity
7. 9.1.b Insulation: Reading
8. 9.1.b Insulation: Video
9. 9.1.b Insulation: Review
10. 9.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 9.1.b Retention Activity
12. 9.1.c Winter Hive Location: Reading
13. 9.1.c Winter Hive Location: Video
14. 9.1.c Winter Hive Location: Review
15. 9.1.c Retention Activity Instructions
16. 9.1.c Retention Activity
17. Seasonal Apiary Management Indicators
18. Module 9 Learning Activity
19. Module 9 Discussion
20. Module 9 Conclusion
21. Module 9 Check-In
22. Module 9 References
1. Module 10 Introduction
2. 10.1.a American Foulbrood: Reading
3. 10.1.a American Foulbrood: Video
4. 10.1.a American Foulbrood: Review
5. 10.1.a Retention Activity Instructions
6. 10.1.a Retention Activity
7. 10.1.b European Foulbrood: Reading
8. 10.1.b European Foulbrood: Video
9. 10.1.b European Foulbrood: Review
10. 10.1.b Retention Activity Instructions
11. 10.1.b Retention Activity
12. 10.1.c Pathogens: Reading
13. 10.1.c Pathogens: Video
14. 10.1.c Pathogens: Review
15. 10.1.c Retention Activity Instructions
16. 10.1.c Retention Activity
17. 10.1.d Mites and Other Pests: Reading
18. 10.1.d Mites and Other Pests: Video
19. 10.1.d Mites and Other Pests: Review
20. 10.1.d Retention Activity Instructions
21. 10.1.d Retention Activity
22. 10.2.a Purchasing Quality Bees: Reading
23. 10.2.a Purchasing Quality Bees: Video
24. 10.2.a Purchasing Quality Bees: Review
25. 10.2.a Retention Activity Instructions
26. 10.2.a Retention Activity
27. 10.2.b Varroa Mites: Reading
28. 10.2.b Varroa Mites: Video
29. 10.2.b Varroa Mites: Review
30. 10.2.b Retention Activity Instructions
31. 10.2.b Retention Activity
32. 10.2.c Mite Treatments: Reading
33. 10.2.c Mite Treatments: Video
34. 10.2.c Mite Treatments: Review
35. 10.2.c Retention Activity Instructions
36. 10.2.c Retention Activity
37. 10.2.d Antibiotics: Reading
38. 10.2.d Antibiotics: Video
39. 10.2.d Antibiotics: Review
40. 10.2.d Retention Activity Instructions
41. 10.2.d Retention Activity
42. 10.2.e Nosema: Reading
43. 10.2.e Nosema: Video
44. 10.2.e Nosema: Review
45. 10.2.e Retention Activity Instructions
46. 10.2.e Retention Activity
47. Module 10 Learning Activity
48. Module 10 Discussion
49. Module 10 Check-In
50. Module 10 Conclusion
1. Capstone Project
1. Course Conclusion
2. Final Check-In
3. Glossary

About this course

$475.00
10 Modules
Bylaw Approved Course
Complete Anytime, 1 Year Access

Benefits Beyond The Bees

Confidence

Breakthrough self doubt by building your skills and using ABC Bees time-tested techniques to raise a healthy beehive.
Clarity

Outline your vision, identify your strengths, and create actionable goals for your beehive, apiary, or business.
Training

Master the specific skills needed to produce an abundance of honey in a small space, no matter where you live.
Support

Get guidance, encouragement, and support, plus answers to your questions from your instructor.
Community

Create connections, build relationships, and make lifelong friends with fellow beekeepers through our learning community.pe

Small Space, Big Impact. No Farm Required!

Learn to keep bees in your own backyard

Register Now

Instructor

Eliese Watson

Master Beekeeper

eliese@abcbees.ca

Eliese is the founder and master beekeeper of ABC Bees. Since founding ABC Bees in 2010, it has become the leading beekeeping education company in Canada. Over her career, Eliese has taught beekeeping across North America, been featured in Forbes Magazine, and represented small scale beekeepers to the Canadian Senate. Eliese has developed strong beginner, intermediate, and advanced beekeeping programming that has been shared with thousands of students. Eliese also teaches small-scale apiary production in a 5-week course online to other farmers, hobbyist, and enthusiasts from around the world through the Level One Beekeeping Course.

Testimonials

“When I enrolled in ABC Bees Level One Beekeeping Course, I wanted to learn enough to feel more confident and be more capable looking after my bees. The course was great but what I value even more is the ongoing mentoring and support that Eliese willingly provided. She has an incredible understanding of everything “bees” and remarkable patience for people who are new beekeepers. Eliese and the community of beekeepers that she introduced me to have made my beekeeping easier, more successful and a whole lot of fun.”

Judi Parrot

“Eliese is smart, knowledgeable, personable and just plain nice. Her beekeeping knowledge is far beyond most and she knows how to communicate it. But beyond that she has a charisma that I don’t know how to put into words. People just find it a joy to be around her”

Michael Bush

“I met Eliese many years ago at a Organic Beekeepers Convention in Oracle Arizona. I had never seen so much love and enthusiasm for before or since. I was also lucky enough to come to Calgary and help her when she first started ABC Bees. Along with her enthusiasm is her understanding of bees and her desire to help others. Having kept bees since 1969, I not come across such talent and ability to see bees and help others. Aren’t all of us bee lovers lucky.”

Kirk Anderson

No Travel Required

Carve out more space in your life and yard for raising your own bees. Join our virtual classroom and participate in the ABC Bees Level One Beekeeping Course no matter where you live.

Your goals - Grow bees and a life you love
Your pace - Learn at your own pace and rewatch the videos as often as you'd like
Your schedule - Participate whenever and wherever you'd like
Your community - Connect with beekeepers across Canada

You are a beekeeper. It's time to make it happen.

Enroll today