CASPER, WY — The University of Wyoming Extension has opened registration for the 2026 Wyoming Bee College, a two‑day beekeeping conference scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, at Casper College’s Student Union (125 College Drive, third floor). The event is designed for beekeepers of all ages and skill levels, providing hands‑on education in hive management, honey bee biology, specialty products and native pollinator research.
Program tracks and pricing
Attendees can choose a two‑day track or single‑day workshops. The beginner track covers basic bee biology and essential equipment for those with a year or less of experience. The intermediate track delves into queen health, hive loss, parasites and common mistakes. Registration for the two‑day tracks is $110 for Friday only, $150 for Saturday only, or $230 for both days.
Two single‑day programs are also offered. Friday’s culinary track features honey‑based foods and tastings for $150, while Saturday’s pollinator track focuses on native Wyoming bees and creating pollinator habitat for $110. One youth under 18 may attend free with a paying adult; additional youth tickets must be purchased separately. All fees include lunch, snacks and drinks.
Keynote speakers
Friday’s keynote will be delivered by Brandon Bryant, a fifth‑generation commercial beekeeper, who will discuss colony care, queen rearing and commercial pollination. Check‑in runs from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and the day concludes with a vendor reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday’s keynote speaker is Mark Carroll, a research entomologist at the Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Arizona. Carroll will present practical solutions for managing hive mites and parasites. Check‑in opens at 7 a.m., and presentations wrap up at 4:30 p.m.
Logistics and contact information
Online registration closes Friday, Oct. 16, at wyomingbeecollege.org. A block of rooms for out‑of‑town guests is reserved at the C’mon Inn (301 E. Lathrop Road, Evansville). For more details, readers can contact conference co‑chair Amy Smith at [email protected] or call 307‑532‑2436.
The Wyoming Bee College aims to strengthen the state’s beekeeping community, fostering connections among hobbyists, commercial producers and researchers while promoting the health of Wyoming’s vital pollinator populations.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
