PICKENS — If you have ever wondered about the workings of a colony of social insects, the Pickens County Beekeepers Association has just the class for you.

PCBA will be offering an introductory beekeeping class in January and February. The four Saturday sessions will cover all of the information needed for anyone to start keeping bees.

The classes will be held on Jan. 24 and 31 and Feb. 14 and 21.

The class will be held at Hey Day Farm near Pickens and Pickens Presbyterian Church, located in downtown Pickens, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m.

Experienced beekeepers will cover honeybee biology, nectar and pollen gathering, honey bee pests and diseases, hive components and assembly, products of the hive and marketing honey.

The cost of the class is $50 per person and includes course materials and a textbook. Youth 14 and under (accompanied by an adult) may take the class for $25 per person. Those completing the class may take an examination to become a beekeeper certified by the South Carolina Beekeepers Association.

Registration also includes membership in the Pickens County Beekeepers Association. Members in the association offer support and mentoring to other members.

For more information, visit the PCBA online at pickenscountyscbeekeepers.com or contact Kevin Nicholson at ridercoach62@yahoo.com.

Registration materials will also be available at BeeWell Honey and Natural Market, located at 205 Hampton Ave. in Pickens.

The deadline for registration is Jan. 21. Those interested in beekeeping are invited to join the association, which meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the Pickens Presbyterian Church. Visit the PCBA website for more details.

The Pickens County Beekeepers Association educates its members to be better beekeepers; promotes cooperation among beekeepers; seeks solutions to problems faced by beekeepers; maintains friendly and helpful relations with individuals and organizations that are working to better the beekeeping industry; develops markets for beekeeping products; fosters closer cooperation among members of the association; and works to improve all aspects of apiculture and the beekeeping industry.