Gardening

Class schedule is pending for Fall 2021. Please check back for updates or email Kim_Koehler@ivcc.edu to be added to the Beekeeping and Gardening e-newsletter list.

Register Online Now or register by calling the IVCC Admissions Office (815) 224-0447
Mon, Thu, Fri: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Tue, Wed: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
(hours may vary during holidays)

Online classes available 

Start Your Own Edible Garden

[6 Weeks | 24 Hours | Instructor Led and Self-Paced Options Available]
Grow delicious, nutritious fruit and vegetables in your own backyard! In this course, you'll learn how to give your garden a healthy start and keep it growing strong all season. You'll begin by figuring out which type of garden is right for you. You'll explore climate considerations, learn how to read a zone hardiness map, and find out how to spot a micro-climate in your yard. You'll discover how to properly prepare a garden bed so your crops have the best opportunity to thrive. You'll even learn to understand fertilizers and make compost! Whether you want to provide your family with nutritious food, save money, get some exercise, or just be more selfsufficient,
this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be on your way to a successful harvest. 6 week instructor-led or 3 month self paced option available. Classes start monthly. Register online.
Fee: $115

Growing Plants for Fun and Profit

6 Weeks | 24 Hours | Instructor Led
Turn your love of plants into an enjoyable and profitable home business. Learn how to grow and market plants on a small scale without major capital investment. In an area as small as 1000 sq. ft., you can generate thousands of dollars' worth of plant material in a single growing season. This course is your practical guide to licensing, site preparation, equipment, how and where to find supplies, how to select and produce plants appropriate to your climate zone, how to produce quality material and, most importantly, how to market your product. Classes start monthly. Register online.
Fee: $99

In this class, you will focus on the principles of
beekeeping. These principles include the history
of beekeeping, honeybee biology, plant and
pollinator relationship and essential equipment
and requirements. By the end of the course, you
will be able to help experienced beekeepers in
the management of hives and start beekeeping
as a hobby. Starting in 2006 with the media
coverage of Colony Collapse Disorder and the
rapid decline of honeybees around the world, the
number of beginning beekeepers has increased
exponentially. There have been reports that the
number of backyard beekeepers has increased
three-fold since 2008. In response to this
interest, the Midwest Master Beekeeper Program
(MMBP) was developed. This training and
certific tion program will help beekeepers develop
their skills through six levels of competency. This
is the first course in the Midwest Master

Beekeeper Program

Tue/Thu 6-8:30 p.m. Sep 24 and 26
2 Sessions Michael Long
C-316, IVCC HLR-5530-309 $89

Apprentice Beekeeper

This course will focus on hive health and
management. This includes information on how
to check the health of your hive, how to monitor
for pests and diseases, honeybee biology, swarm
management, queen replacement and other IPM
recommendations. This is the second course in the
Master Beekeeper Certific tion program. Course
fee includes a student manual.
Tue/Thu 6-8:30 p.m. Oct 22 and 24
2 Sessions Michael Long
C-316, IVCC HLR-5545-310 $89

Journeyman Beekeeper

Pre-requisite: Two years of beekeeping experience.
This course concentrates on honeybee pests and
diseases. Topics also include combining and
splitting hives, queen rearing and producing
nucs and package bees. The class is not
recommended for those individuals that do
not have two years of beekeeping experience.
This is the third course in the Master Beekeeper
Certific tion program. Course fee includes a
student manual.
Tue/Thu 6-8:30 p.m. Nov 12 and 14
2 Sessions Michael Long
C-316, IVCC HLR-5546-311 $89