Looking for something new to learn in 2025 during these cold winter months? If you have ever entertained the thought of becoming a beekeeper, the Macon County Beekeepers Association could fulfill that wish.
Katie Wall, the association’s education coordinator, shared information about this year’s beekeeping school for beginners, which starts Feb. 22.
“This is a beginning beekeeping school,” explained Wall. “For anyone who is thinking about keeping bees, or just wants to see what it’s all about, we go through the common bee equipment, the bees, how to manage them, and what to expect for your first and second year.
“I am currently working on an advanced beekeeping school,” said Wall on her future plans. “There is so much to learn. I am still learning. Bees are just that fascinating.”

Indeed, bees are not only “fascinating,” but also lucrative and a major part of North Carolina agriculture and animal husbandry. Wall, who serves as an unofficial ambassador of Western North Carolina honey producers, spouted off some key statistics.
“North Carolina has more than 15,000 beekeepers, which is the highest per capita in the United States. Beekeeping is a popular hobby in North Carolina.
“Honeybees are the workhorses of the $110 billion plus agriculture industry in North Carolina,” she said. “They sustain our food supply and economy. The bees also produce 120,000 pounds of beeswax, and about 6 million pounds of honey, worth about $10 million. And here in Western North Carolina we have the liquid-gold sourwood honey. It is very important to support our local beekeepers and purchase local honey.”
Students who attend the two sessions on Feb. 22 and March 1 will also be invited to do an outdoor hands-on training at a local bee yard in mid-March.
“The apiary visit will be a lesson from State Bee Inspector Lewis Cauble,” Wall explained. “Then we will go into hives until everyone has done it that wants to. Things sink in when you are actually working in a hive full of bees.”
Bee business beginnings
Wall’s own background in honey production started in a similar fashion, and she even knew the exact date: April 3, 2013.
“My bee partner, Karen, called and said, ‘Get over here; we have a swarm!’” said Wall excitedly. “Well, right before the swarm, Karen had asked me if I was interested in doing bees. Of course, I didn’t see why not. Learn something new, right? So, after the swarm, I thought I’d better start learning how this bee thing works. And Karen said [Macon County has] a bee club. We went to the next meeting. I don’t think I have missed more than six meetings since that time. ‘
Neither has Wall missed the annual beekeeping training.
“I really enjoy meeting the newbies.”
Wall later took on the responsibility of organizing and running the training and drawing on the knowledge of local enthusiasts, farmers, and suppliers.
“The Bee School is better taught by club members that have bees,” noted Wall. She has found over the years that, “new beekeepers learn better from just regular people that have gone through this getting-started phase. We were all right there at the beginning. The Macon County Beekeepers Association is full of wonderful people that have bees. When you have a question, we can give you several scenarios and answers. It helps to hear from someone that has been in the same situation as you. We really encourage the members to meet the newbies and offer to mentor them.”
For those attending this year’s beekeeping class, Wall said, “The things I want to get across to potential beekeepers are the costs and the time that you are going to need to be able to take care of your hives.”
The Macon County Extension Office provides classrooms and meeting space for the Macon County Beekeepers Association regarding both the annual beekeeping training and for monthly meetings held at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.
“The Extension Office has been a huge support to the club and to many people that have questions about bees or have a swarm,” said Wall. “I had no idea the array of knowledge that can be found at the Extension Office.”
Wall offered some sage advice to the “wanna-beekeepers” in our community.
“I would like people to take this class before purchasing any bee equipment. Let’s make sure this is a good fit for you. And if it is, go slow. Learn the craft of beekeeping; get a couple of hives through a couple of years. Learn to be a beekeeper, and not a bee-buyer. Then decide to increase your hobby. If you are sure you want to go big, spend some time with a commercial beekeeper and get a feel of running hundreds or thousands of hives, first. And ‘bee’ ready to ‘bee’ amazed at these little insects. I know I am – every day.”
The Macon County Beekeepers Association will hold its “Intro to Beekeeping Class 2025” on Feb. 22 and March 1 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the NC Cooperative Extension-Macon County Office located at 193 Thomas Heights Rd, Franklin, NC, 28734. Cost is $100, which includes materials, a visit to local apiary, and annual dues to the association. Email Katie Wall at [email protected] or visit www.maconncbeekeepers.com for registration details.