TN Master Beekeeping Basic Class

The Tennessee Master Beekeeping Program is a school for all beekeepers, regardless of operation size or experience level. The goal is to improve the knowledge of TN beekeepers about beekeeping, and the program is dedicated to beekeepers in Tennessee. It started as a pilot in 1991 for 55 people from 3 counties to more than 3,000 participants, representing 85+ TN counties. Participants spend 1.5 days in the classroom, learning about and discussion topics such as bee biology, pollination, getting started, safety, disease, nutrition, recordkeeping, and inspections; as well as a half day in a local apiary where they are taught hands-on skills from basics such as how to light a smoker (and keep it lit) to how to properly manage parasitic mites (currently, the most challenging threat in beekeeping). The knowledge gained, and tools developed through these efforts are passed on to beekeepers and producers through a collaborative Extension program, involving agents and specialists.

Basic level is an entry-level and continuing education program and requires no previous training to enroll or no mandatory "years of beekeeping". These classes are for participants aged 18 and over; younger youth are encouraged to participate in their county's 4-H Entomology & Beekeeping Program. Participants’ acquisition of skills and knowledge be will assessed through participation in discussions and assessments. Topics to covered in the Basic Level:

• Sources of beekeeping information for the "beeginner"
• The colony & common mistakes – basic bee biology and behavior
• Getting started – education, equipment, tools, locations, etc.
• Acquiring bees – packages, swarms, queens
• Hive inspections and recordkeeping
• Queen events and issues
• Pests & diseases – detection, prevention, management
• Varroa mites
• Forage and nutrition
• Beekeeper regulatory responsibilities
*(Apiary visit – weather permitting. Bring your own protective gear including veil; a limited amount of borrowable protective gear will be available for participants who do not yet have bees.)

This is a 16-20 hour beekeeping class and meets the requirements for TAEP grant funding.

The cost per person is $125 and is NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE, unless is cancelled due to low registrations. Please see details below for dates, locations and contact information. Online registration only – no walk-in registrations will be accepted. 

Registration Deadline: 7 days before class starts. (One week before each class, registered participants will receive an email from Dr. Tsuruda that outlines class logistics. Please make sure to check the email you use to register for the class and check your spam/junk/quarantine folders.)

Class will be capped at 35 participants & may be cancelled if a minimum of 15 participants is not met.

2026 Class schedule and locations:
Cumberland County - Crossville, TN
Online Registration Only
Date: May 21-22, 2026 (Thu-Fri)
Time: 8:30 – 5:00pm CT

Madison County - Jackson, TN
Online Registration Only
Date: June 4-5, 2026 (Thu-Fri)
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm CT

Loudon County - Philadelphia, TN 
Online Registration Only
Date: June 8-9, 2026 (Mon-Tue)
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm ET

Lawrence County - Lawrenceburg, TN
Online Registration Only
Date: June 22-23, 2026 (Mon-Tue)
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm CT

Putnam County - Cookeville, TN
Online Registration Only
Date: June 25-26, 2026 (Thu-Fri)
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm CT

Williamson County – Franklin, TN
Online Registration Only
Date:July 7-8, 2026 (Tue-Wed)
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm CT

Claiborne County - Speedwell,  TN
Online Registration Only
Date: July 23-24, 2026 (Thu-Fri)
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm ET

Lincoln County - Fayetteville,  TN
Online Registration Only
Date: July 30-31, 2026 (Thu-Fri)
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm CT

Greene County - Greeneville,  TN
Online Registration Only
Date: August 27-28, 2026 (Thu-Fri)
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm ET

*If you do not receive an immediate confirmation email from campuspayments@touchnet.com, you have not successfully registered. The registration process has multiple steps – please review THIS DOCUMENT on the process to ensure you successfully register.

**Registered participants will also receive an email (during the week prior to the class) from Dr. Tsuruda that outlines class logistics and the address of the class site. Please make sure to check the email you use to register for the class and check your spam/junk/quarantine folders.

When a class is full, it will no longer be available in the pull-down menu. If class is full, please fill out this interest form to assist with future planning and contact if there is a cancellation in a nearby class: Interest Form

Note: The "Waitlist payment – pre-approval required" option in the drop-down menu is only to be selected by individuals who Dr. Tsuruda has personally contacted and spoken to about availability. Any unapproved registrations via this option will be cancelled and a fee may be incurred.