Virtual opportunities to learn about beekeeping in spring 2026
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EmailMichigan State University Extension and other organizations offer several webinars and online opportunities to learn about beekeeping.
Spring is a great time to embrace virtual learning options to learn about bees before the spring season begins. Michigan State University Extension and other universities and beekeeping associations have several online opportunities during spring 2026 to learn about beekeeping. Additionally, beekeepers in Michigan may be interested in attending spring 2026 Michigan beekeeping schools and conferences, many of which are in-person events.
Virtual programs from Michigan State University Extension
MSU Apiculture Research Updates
The MSU Apiculture Research Updates webinar will include presentations by Zachary Huang, PhD, and Meghan Milbrath, PhD, on their research projects and other programs.
Register for the MSU Apiculture Research Updates webinar
MI Ag Ideas to Grow With virtual conference
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension will hold the 2026 MI Ag Ideas to Grow With conference virtually, Feb. 23 – March 5. This unique event, created in 2021, provides an opportunity for education encompassing the wide variety of aspects of the agricultural industry and offering a full array of educational sessions for farmers, homeowners and others interested in food and animal production and those considering agricultural endeavors. This week-long educational experience featured a variety of tracks focused on livestock production, fruit and vegetable production, crop production, beginner farmers, irrigation and water, food preservation and agrivoltaics.
There is no cost to register, but pre-registration is required. All sessions will be recorded and made available to registrants for later viewing.
Getting Started with Beekeeping in Michigan
The MI Ag Idea to Grow With virtual conference includes a session on Getting Started with Beekeeping in Michigan on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.
Have you wondered if beekeeping is right for you? Have you considered keeping honey bees to produce your own, local honey? Honey bees are awe-inspiring, but keeping them healthy takes a lot of learning and hard work. Before you get started, find out what costs, time and effort are required. Learn what beekeepers do and where they can go for education, resources and support.
Register for MI Ag Ideas to Grow With
Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours Webinars
Join Michigan State University Extension for its series of Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours Webinars! In each webinar, the MSU apiculture team will focus time on answering beekeeping questions. Participants can submit questions during the webinar through Zoom’s Q&A feature.
Register for Michigan State University Beekeeping Office Hours Webinars
Virtual webinars and conferences from other universities and beekeeping associations
At Home Beekeeping Series hosted by Alabama Cooperative Extension Services
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s beekeeping team presents the At Home Beekeeping Series. This online series promotes educational information for beekeepers. This gives beekeepers the chance to attend meetings from the comfort of one’s own home using a computer or mobile device. Each session includes updates on timely beekeeping topics as well as a question-and-answer session. Webinars will take place on the last Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom, an online video platform, and through Facebook Live on the Lawrence County Alabama Extension Office Facebook page. The webinars are scheduled through November 2026.
Beekeeping Around the World webinar series offered by Penn State Extension
Those interested in learning about beekeeping practices and challenges in different parts of the world can attend Beekeeping Around the World, a free, six-week webinar series offered by Penn State Extension. Webinars will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 12 to March 19. Each week will feature a different location, and presenters will discuss what beekeeping is like there.
Washington State University Bee Program Webinars
The Washington State University Bee Program has four free webinars planned for 2026!
Incidence and Colony Impacts of European Foulbrood in the Pacific Northwest with Ryan Kuesel, PhD, postdoctoral scholar, on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. Pacific (9 p.m. Eastern).
Veterinary Feed Directives and Honey Bee Disease with Mckaela Hobday, PhD student, on March 19 at 6 p.m. Pacific (9 p.m. Eastern).
Monocropping Systems and Bees with Janae Becher, PhD student, on April 16 at 6 p.m. Pacific (9 p.m. Eastern).
Isolation and Nutrition During Carrot Seed Pollination with Riley Reed, PhD candidate, on Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. Pacific (9 p.m. Eastern).
Sustainable Beekeepers Guild of Michigan’s Virtual Winter Conference
The Sustainable Beekeepers Guild of Michigan is hosting its 5th annual winter conference March 7 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. The conference will be broadcast via Zoom and feature opportunities to interact with speakers.
2026 Hive Minds Webinar Series from Ontario Beekeepers’ Association
The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association is holding a series of webinars titled Hive Minds: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Beekeeping. For more information, view the Hive Minds program booklet and Hive Minds registration page.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for securing funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Michigan State University to implement strategies in the Managed Pollinator Protection Plan.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2024-70006-43569] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
