The Apikare training apiary

There are lots of popular destinations around this beekeeping farm -- the Cīrava forest trail, the Cīrava castle, the Cīrava windmill and the Ievleju Maize bakery that partners with the beekeeping operation. 

The hives of bees are in the castle park and the forest, and the lady of the operation, Baiba, tends to the hives, trains beekeepers and produces beekeeping and apitherapeutic products.  She has more than 20 products to sell to her guests.  Baiba's father was a beekeeper, and that encouraged his daughter to follow his example.  Baiba has been familiar with bees for more than 30 years, and she has spent summers working at the apiary.  Outside the beekeeping season, she prepares products and inventory, and she also hones her skills and knowledge.  Baiba is happy to share her professional experience with other beekeepers and visitors to the farm.  She organises seminars about beekeeping, as well as practical activities out in the field. 

Visitors can take part in creative workshops and taste beekeeping products.  The programme can be supplemented with a health treatment in the bee therapy hut.  Beginners will undergo basic training, depending on the season of the year -- tending to hives of bees, doing selection work in the apiary, producing and selecting products, extracting the honey and preparing inventory.

THE PROGRAMME:

• Visiting the farm and meeting its owners;
• A creative workshop (one apiece):

- Making various kinds of wax candles;

- Preparing mixtures of honey and other beekeeping products;

- Learning about healthy aspects of beekeeping products, including tasting and preparation of products;

- A discussion about how hives of bees are cared for;

• A look at the work that has been done and tasting of products.

This educational facility will inform you about beekeeping traditions and allow you to work as a beekeeper.  The owners share their knowledge during training sessions.