Looking to try a new hobby in 2026 and help the planet at the same time? Sign up for the Lancaster County Beekeepers Society's New Beekeeper Workshop. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Gathering Place, 6 Pine St., Mount Joy. Doors will open at 7:15 a.m.

"Beekeeping is a deeply rewarding hobby that has a meaningful impact on the environment," said Kim Fairfield, secretary/communications director for the society. "For some, this can be a lucrative enterprise, but for most hobbyist beekeepers, the reward is in the calming, hands-on care for the bees that improves pollination in our communities, encourages stewardship of nature and promotes individual mindfulness. Of course, there's also the sweet, golden reward of harvesting your own honey and beeswax!"

During the workshop, participants will receive all the essential information they need to begin beekeeping.

"We will cover topics that include the biology of bees, how to source your bees, how to set up and position your hives, caring for your bees, beekeeping equipment and costs, pest control, honey extraction and more," Fairfield shared. "Attendees have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with seasoned beekeepers, win door prizes and enter (giveaways) to win hives and other equipment."

The workshop fee will include lunch and all materials and take-home handouts, as well as membership in the Lancaster County Beekeepers Society (LCBS) for 2026.

"This membership gives access to our monthly meetings featuring professional speakers, a members-only monthly newsletter and swag store and monthly hive checks where we gather to examine the LCBS hives and ask questions from our experienced hosts," Fairfield explained. "Members can also use the club's 15-frame radial extractor at no fee, sign up to be on our swarm collectors list and have access to a certified kitchen to bottle salable honey for a nominal fee."

The New Beekeeper Workshop has been a popular public offering of the society for many years, Fairfield said, noting that early registration is recommended since space is limited and the workshop typically sells out.

Lancaster County Beekeepers Society is a member organization, but the group also focuses on public awareness and services.

"One of the key ways we do this is by providing education for aspiring beekeepers in order to promote and endorse safe, responsible and ethical beekeeping practices that protect the community and the environment," Fairfield said.

The upcoming year is an important one for the club.

"This year we are particularly excited to be celebrating our 150th anniversary, making us the oldest known beekeeping club in the United States," she commented. "We have some special celebrations planned for 2026, so it's a great year to be a part of the organization."

Community members can also support the efforts of the group by contacting the club to safely remove a swarm of bees or by sponsoring the society's upcoming celebrations.

"If you aren't quite ready to start your own hive, please consider joining LCBS," Fairfield said. "You don't have to be a beekeeper to be a member, and this is a great way to learn a lot about honey bees and beekeeping and gain hands-on experience with the club hives. You can also follow us on Facebook at 'Lancaster County Beekeepers Society' and Instagram at @LancasterBeekeepers for fun, educational content and to learn about our activities."

To register for the workshop, visit http://www.lancasterbeekeepers.org/workshop. Email workshop@lancasterbeekeepers.org for more information.