Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program
Have you heard about our Open Apiary and mentoring programs?
Thanks to generous funding through the Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program, we have been able to start a teaching apiary in April of 2023 just outside of Lawrence, KS. Sign up available below.
About the Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program
Beekeepers making better beekeepers!
The Great Plains Master Beekeeping program is a regional education program that spans the Midwest. We partner with beekeeping organizations and other educators across the region to bring education opportunities for both new and experienced beekeepers.
NEKBA Open Apiaries
The NEKBA Open Apiary equipment was funded with a grant from the Great Plains Master Beekeepers. The excellent educational opportunity will be held weekly in April and at least twice a month in the other ‘active’ beekeeping months. This is a great program with many educational opportunities, many of which you may choose to take part in.
At the open apiaries you can expect to go through hives to see all stages of brood, queens, and take part in assessing the hives and queens. A great deal of time is also spent on using your smoker and hive tool and talking to participants about issues they are seeing in their hives.
Open Apiaries - Pendleton‘s Country Market
Restrooms are available on site. We will be opening up live hives, so bring your own protective gear if you want more than a bee jacket. To prevent the spread of disease do not bring hive tools or a smoker. Feel free to bring a cold beverage, however we will attempt to have cold water available. When signing up please opt in for text messaging each time so you will be notified of any cancelation and a possible reschedule. If you are bringing someone with you please indicate how many people are in your party when going through the signup steps. If the weather looks ominous feel to call or text Joli at 913-593-3562 or Kristi at 913-768-4961.
Pendleton‘s Country Market
1446 E 1850 Rd
Lawrence, KS 66046
Dates and times subject to change- we appreciate when you Sign-up online via Sign-Up Genius so we can notify you of any changes or cancellations. Please choose to receive text messages.
Open Teaching Apiaries - Spring Hill, KS
This excellent educational opportunity at Joli & Cecil's Spring Hill location will be held monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. These open apiaries offer an opportunity to go through hives with another beekeeper- we look for eggs, larva, and queens. A great deal of time is also spent on using your smoker and hive tool and talking to participants about issues they are seeing in their hives. Bee suits are available and only NEKBA hive tools and smokers will be allowed in the apiary.
Meet @ 5:00pm at the home of Joli & Cecil.
Joli & Cecil
19201 S Clare Rd,
Spring Hill KS.
To register, please call 913-593-3562 or email Joli, so we'll know how many to expect for the session.
Inspect a couple of different colonies
Bring your own protection
Weather permitting
Actual Dates are 2nd Tuesday of the month 5pm-6:30pm:
April 14, 2026
May 12, 2026
June 9, 2026
July 14, 2026
August 11, 2026
September 8, 2026
October 13, 2026 (final meet up)
Shawnee County Area Beekeepers 2026 Meetings and Open Apiary
Shawnee Co. Beginning Beekeeping 6:30-8:00 PM (3rd Wednesday) 2026. Organized and Led by Becky and Steve Tipton.
Come to the farm and get inside the hives. *Open Apiary events will be canceled for weather or illness. You must preregister with Becky to attend the session. bstbees@gmail.com Mobile phone: 785-554-1591
Becky & Steve Tipton
9491 X Rd
Meriden, KS 66512
785.554.1591