Aspiring beekeepers in Monroe County will soon have a new place to learn the craft. Coastal Alabama Community College is rolling out a Beekeeping Academy at its Monroeville Campus this fall, giving hobbyists, small farmers, and pollinator advocates a structured, hands-on introduction to keeping honeybees.
The eight-week course begins September 24, 2026, and runs through November 12, with classes meeting Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Registration opens September 3, and the program is priced at $45 per person. College officials say seating is limited, so those interested are encouraged to sign up early once registration goes live.
What the Course Covers
The curriculum is designed to take students from the basics through practical hive care, covering honeybee biology, hive management, seasonal maintenance schedules, and the equipment beekeepers rely on throughout the year. The goal is to leave participants equipped to start and sustain a healthy colony, whether they are motivated by a backyard hobby, a broader agricultural operation, or a desire to help shore up pollinator populations closer to home.
Coastal Alabama is bringing in outside expertise to round out the instruction. The academy is a partnership between the college, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and the Monroe County Extension office, meaning students will learn from professionals with both regulatory and field experience in beekeeping and agriculture across the region.
Why It Matters for South Alabama
Honeybees and other pollinators play an outsized role in the region’s agricultural economy, from row crops to home gardens and orchards, and beekeeper numbers in rural Alabama have fluctuated in recent years amid concerns over colony losses tied to disease, pests, and habitat loss. Programs like this one give local residents a low-cost entry point into an activity that supports both food production and the broader ecosystem, while also connecting them with the state agriculture department and extension resources they can continue to draw on after the class ends.
Meet the Lead Instructor
Leading the academy is Dr. Kelly Palmer, a biology instructor at Coastal Alabama Community College who will serve as the program’s lead instructor. Palmer emphasized the broader stakes behind the hobby, saying that “Beekeeping plays an important role in agriculture, environmental sustainability, and food production.” Palmer also voiced enthusiasm for the chance to help local residents play a direct role in supporting ecosystems in their own communities.
How to Register
Registration for the Beekeeping Academy opens September 3, 2026, with a course fee of $45 per participant. Because space is limited, the college is encouraging early sign-ups. Those interested in reserving a spot or learning more can reach Dr. Kelly Palmer directly by email at Kelly.palmer@coastalalabama.edu or by phone at 251-350-9129, or they can visit the Coastal Alabama Community College website for additional details.
About Coastal Alabama Community College
Coastal Alabama Community College operates multiple campuses across South Alabama, including its Monroeville Campus, which serves residents of Monroe County and the surrounding area. The college regularly offers continuing education and workforce-focused courses aimed at giving community members practical, affordable skills outside of its traditional degree programs, and the new Beekeeping Academy joins that lineup this fall.