Are children allowed to attend?

Yes—kids ages 10–16 can attend free when accompanied by a paid adult; plan to supervise them during hands-on moments.

The meeting point is Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga, 1000 E 30th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37407.

How long is the workshop?

The session runs approximately two hours, including demonstration and Q&A.

What is the cancellation policy?

Refunds can be requested up to seven days before the workshop with a 10% cancellation fee.

Do you provide honey?

Yes—each participant takes home a sample of Crabtree Farms raw honey, and there will be a live extraction demonstration.

Who can I contact with questions?

Please contact Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or cwatts@crabtreefarms.org for booking or accessibility questions.

Intro to Beekeeping Workshop at Crabtree Farms — Chattanooga's Urban Apiary Experience | Workshop | Farm

At Crabtree Farms in Chattanooga (1000 E 30th Street), an afternoon with bees feels less like a lecture and more like stepping into a miniature ecosystem you can hold. The two-hour 'Intro to Beekeeping' workshop led by Randall Kennedy, who tends eight hives at Crabtree Farms and has kept bees in the Chattanooga area for 18 years, gives first-time beekeepers a practical, confidence-building primer: basic bee biology, essential equipment, and a live honey extraction from an observation hive. Each participant departs with a sample of raw Crabtree Farms honey.

The class is structured for accessibility—kids ages 10–16 attend free when accompanied by a paid adult—and accommodates up to 30 people, making it ideal for curious individuals, couples, or small groups wanting to test the beekeeping waters without committing to a full apiary. Expect an intimate mix of demonstration and hands-on handling: you'll see frames up close, watch honey pulled from the comb, and observe worker bees through the observation hive. The farm's pollinator plantings and nearby orchard trees create a visible context for why urban and backyard apiaries matter to local food webs.

Practical takeaways are front and center. Randall covers the real costs of starting and maintaining hives, basic protective gear, and seasonal management cues so participants can decide whether to begin their own apiary. The workshop also highlights how responsible beekeeping supports neighborhood gardens and local biodiversity. Bring questions—the session includes time for troubleshooting common concerns, from hive placement to recognizing queen behavior.

Logistics are straightforward: the meeting point is Crabtree Farms of Chattanooga at 1000 E 30th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37407; the session runs two hours. Refunds are available up to seven days before the workshop with a 10% cancellation fee—contact details are provided with booking for direct questions.

This offering stands out because it pairs urban accessibility with genuine field expertise. It’s not a lecture in a classroom; it’s a working demonstration at a functioning farm where attendees can taste raw honey within minutes of extraction. For travelers seeking a short, memorable learning experience that connects them to regional food systems and pollinator conservation, this workshop is an efficient, hands-on primer. Whether you’re weighing the commitment of your first hive or simply want to learn the language of bees, you’ll leave more informed and with a jar of honey to prove it.

If you’re visiting Chattanooga, the workshop provides a compact cultural exchange: local beekeeping techniques, urban pollinator strategies, and small-farm stewardship. Parking is on-site at the farm; public transit options vary. Book early—space is limited to thirty attendees—and reach out to Chloe Watts at 423-493-9155 or [email protected] for accessibility questions or to confirm age exceptions. This compact workshop fits easily into a city trip itinerary.