Biodynamic Beekeeping

Friday, October 4th, 7 – 8:30 pm, and Saturday, October 5th, 9 am – 5 pm.

Join us Friday evening for an introductory lecture on the overarching approach of biodynamic beekeeping, a meditative path of inquiry into the life of the honeybee. This talk is open to the public for a small fee, but included for those attending Saturday’s full-day workshop.

Saturday will include some classroom time: immersing in the life of the bee through the wheel of the year, preparing for overwintering, learning about necessary equipment and site preparation for the spring, and learning how to best support the honeybee in her natural rhythms. We’ll also visit the hives in the Pfeiffer Garden for an up close and personal experience with the bees. 

Our workshop is for folks looking to deepen their understanding of the honeybee, and is open to current beekeepers and those still dreaming.

Presenter: Alex Tuchman

Director, Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary

Alex is a beekeeper, educator, farmer, author, and student of nature. As the Director of Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Alex carries a wide variety of responsibilities on the farm, with the bees, in the classroom, and in administration. Alex arrived at Spikenard Farm in March of 2014 after three years as the Farm Manager of Loyola University Chicago’s Student Farm in Woodstock, Illinois, his home-state. Alex is an active member and the co-leader of the Agriculture Section of the School for Spiritual Science and a consistent contributor to the biodynamic agriculture and natural beekeeping movements and regularly teaches at conferences in the U.S., around the world, and online. Alex’s book, A Lively Hive, was published in 2021, outlining the basic biodynamic beekeeping methods that are practiced and taught at Spikenard Farm.