Sagadahoc County Offers Six-Week Beekeeping Course Starting Jan. 15, 2026

A six-session beekeeping course for Sagadahoc County residents began Jan. 15 and will continue through Feb. 26, meeting on six consecutive Thursdays. Titled Beekeeping: The Fundamentals on the Merrymeeting Adult Education listing, the program is presented in partnership with Sagadahoc County Beekeepers and is designed to prepare participants to start and maintain honeybee colonies responsibly.

Classes meet at Morse High School in Bath, Room 160. The course schedule runs Jan. 15, Jan. 22, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, and Feb. 26. The Merrymeeting Adult Ed course page includes pricing and registration instructions; residents may enroll through the listing at merrymeeting.maineadulted.com/course/beekeeping-an-introductory-workshop/?utm_source=openai.

Instruction covers bee biology, equipment requirements and setup, seasonal management techniques, disease and pest management, the environmental benefits of honeybees, and hive products. The curriculum is targeted to those who wish to become beekeepers and emphasizes practical knowledge needed to establish and maintain hives across Maine’s seasonal cycle.

Local significance extends beyond hobbyist interest. Healthy honeybee colonies contribute to pollination for local gardens, orchards, and farms, and trained beekeepers are better able to identify and manage pests and diseases that can harm regional apiaries. Offering the course through Merrymeeting Adult Education and a county beekeepers group lowers barriers to entry, giving residents direct access to hands-on information and local expertise.

The partnership model also has implications for community governance and neighborhood relations. As more residents keep bees, municipal officials and planning boards may encounter questions about zoning, setbacks, or nuisance complaints; accessible training can reduce those frictions by promoting best practices and responsible hive placement. The course’s focus on disease and pest management also supports broader efforts to contain threats to pollinator health that cross property lines.

For residents considering beekeeping, the series provides a structured introduction and a pathway to local networks, including the Sagadahoc County Beekeepers. For local agriculture and gardeners, a larger cohort of informed beekeepers can strengthen pollination services and local food resilience.

Enrollment remains available through the Merrymeeting Adult Ed course page. For those who take part, the coming weeks offer practical skills and community connections that could yield both literal and figurative sweet returns, while helping Sagadahoc County manage pollinator health and neighborhood expectations as interest in backyard beekeeping grows.