PICKENS - Don’t miss this opportunity to join South Carolina Master Beekeeper, Charlotte Anderson, for an engaging look at the art of beekeeping. The information packed hands-on lectures will be held on Thursdays, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m., in the LaVonne Nalley Piper Auditorium of the Pickens County Museum.

Charlotte Anderson, a Clemson graduate and lifelong resident of Pickens County, spends every Third Saturday at Hagood Mill under her “honeybee” tent enlightening countless visitors on the craft of beekeeping. She also sells natural, raw honey from her small upstate farm, Carolina Honeybees.

Charlotte says, “I have always been fascinated with the idea of beekeeping and the sustainability of producing something to eat on our farm”. After reading several books on beekeeping, she joined the local beekeepers association and made friends with others who had a similar interest. To further her knowledge, she has progressed through the South Carolina Master Beekeeper Program and has recently reached the Master Level. Charlotte is only the second individual, and the first woman, in the state to achieve this certification.

Participants in this two-day workshop will learn everything you need to know to get started in this fascinating hobby. Learning to be a good beekeeper is a process, knowing the basics before you begin will help ensure a good beginning for you and your bees. This class will cover equipment assembly, choosing a place to put your bees, and practical bee management. All you need to get started with your very own beehive. Participants will receive hand outs and “hands-on instruction” on preparing equipment for bees. Tuition for this two-day experience is only $65 ($55 for museum members). Suitable for ages 18 years and up, pre-registration for the workshops is required. To register call the Pickens County Museum at (864) 898-5963. Class size is limited so sign-up today.

Thistwo-day beekeeper workshop is part of the Pickens County Museum’s Field School. The revenue from all Field School classes is used to pay instructors with any profit or designated donations used to fund the Hagood Mill Nature Conservation Project, protecting and promoting the diverse indigenous plant communities found at the Hagood Mill site.

Located at the corner of Hwy. 178 at 307 Johnson Street in Pickens SC, the Pickens County Museum is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 5: p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information please contact the museum at (864) 898-5963.