Farm Fraîche

Events and Workshops

Here on the farm, every gathering carries purpose—rooted in the earth, guided by the seasons, and filled with the quiet joy of shared experience. Our events and workshops are an invitation to pause, to learn, and to reconnect—with your hands, your food, and the rhythms that sustain us. Come be part of something meaningful—where skill meets soul, and tradition blooms anew.

Below you’ll find our upcoming scheduled events. We’re always adding new workshops and seasonal offerings, so check back often—or join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

Bee Package Installation Demo - $25

April 7th and April 14h (Exact Time to be determined)

Join The Demo

Bee Package Installation Demo — A Guided, Hands-On Learning Event

Otis Orchards, WA

Installing your first package of bees can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to. At Farm Fraîche, we offer a guided, hands-on demonstration of bee package installation that removes the mystery, builds confidence, and sets you on the right path before your hive ever arrives.

Join us in the apiary as we walk step-by-step through the process of introducing a live bee package into a Langstroth hive. You’ll witness each stage of the install — from calming and handling bees, to queen introduction, hive orientation, and early feeding strategies — all grounded in traditional, chemical-free methods that prioritize the health of the colony from day one.

Whether you’re preparing to receive your first hive, considering beekeeping in the future, or simply curious about the rhythm of the apiary, this event is the perfect introduction. Gentle, educational, and deeply connected to the natural order, it’s a beautiful first step into the world of bees.

Event Details

  • One-day event – 2 Options (April 7th and April 14th)
  • 60-minute guided demonstration with open Q&A
  • Small group format – limit 15 attendees
  • Ideal for beginners, hobbyists, or future beekeepers
  • Children age 12+ welcome with a guardian

What You’ll Learn

  • What a bee package is and how it’s shipped
  • How to safely handle and install your bees
  • How to introduce a queen and monitor her acceptance
  • Early feeding methods & first-week hive setup tips
  • How to reduce stress for the bees during install
  • What to watch for in the first 7–10 days

Includes take-home printed installation guide, bee journal prompt sheet, and bonus “Next Steps Checklist” for new beekeepers.

School Field Trips - $150

May 15h - October 1st (MONDAY through FRIDAY 10am - 2pm)

Schedule A Visit

The Honeybee Life – School Field Trip

Otis Orchards, WA

There is no classroom like the land itself. At Farm Fraîche, we invite students to step outside the ordinary and into the rhythms of the farm—where bees buzz, flowers bloom, and real-world learning comes alive in the open air.

Our school field trips offer an immersive, grade-appropriate introduction to sustainable farming, pollination, traditional homesteading skills, and the beauty of seasonal living. Whether you’re bringing a kindergarten class for a first encounter with nature, or older students for a deeper look into food systems and ecology, our programs are designed to inspire curiosity, connection, and wonder.

Students will engage with the farm through hands-on learning stations, meet our bees, explore the wildflower fields, and savor a tasting of our fresh honey—all guided by experienced farm educators.

Field Trip Details

  • Offered weekdays, 10:00am–2:00pm (weather permitting)
  • Program tailored by age group — all grade levels welcome
  • Students may bring lunch and eat in the perennial gardens
  • Includes guided educational stations, honey tasting, and exploration time
  • Group size: up to 30 students per visit

Cost: $150 per class (up to 30 students)

  • Additional cost per student if optional gift bags are selected
  • Teachers and chaperones attend free

Booking Information

We welcome public schools, private schools, homeschool groups, and learning pods. Field trips must be booked in advance. Contact us directly to reserve your date and customize your visit.

Full Season Beekeeping Apprenticeship - $600

April 5th through October - (90 Minute Classes - Every other Saturday)

Apply Now

“Keep Bees Before You Own Bees” — A Hands-On Apiary Mentorship & Certification Program

Otis Orchards, WA

Beekeeping is more than a skill — it’s a rhythm, a responsibility, and a return to land-based wisdom. At Farm Fraîche, we teach bees not as a hobby, but as a calling — a slow, intentional practice rooted in seasonal cycles, observation, and respect for the natural order.

Join us for a hands-on, immersive apprenticeship in the apiary at Farm Fraîche — a startup organic farm in Otis Orchards — where you’ll suit up, care for real hives, harvest honey and wax, and build true confidence in working with bees. No hive ownership required, no industrial systems — just traditional, sustainable beekeeping in step with the land.

This is not just a class — it’s a mentorship rooted in the rhythms of nature, with hive stewardship, seasonal certification, and real-time access to your bees through our private hive camera system.

Program Details

  • Runs March–October (every other Saturday)
    • If demand is high, an additional alternating Saturday may be opened
  • 90-minute classes, small group format
  • Limit 10 students per class
    • Students work in teams of 5, each team caring for one dedicated hive
  • Tuition: $600 for the full season
    • Monthly payment option: $100/month (April–September)
  • Includes:
    • All suits and tools provided
    • Student beekeeping journal
    • Hive cam access (live video stream of student hives)
    • Take-home honey and wax products
    • Farm Fraîche Beekeeping Certification upon completion

Certification Details

Students who complete the Farm Fraîche Beekeeping Track will earn a Farm Fraîche Beekeeping Certification, designed to demonstrate comprehensive, experience-based mastery of foundational beekeeping skills. This certification:

  • Exceeds the requirements set forth by WASBA (Washington State Beekeepers Association) for Apprenticeship Certification
  • Surpasses the baseline requirements for beginner beekeeping education in both Washington and Idaho
  • Reflects seasonal, hands-on hive management training — not just classroom theory
  • Is awarded only upon successful completion of:
    • 80% minimum attendance
    • A hands-on skills demonstration
    • A written knowledge assessment

Students who complete the program will be equipped with not only a certificate, but real-world confidence to begin keeping bees independently or pursue further education.

What You’ll Learn

  • Hive setup, inspection, seasonal care
  • Bee lifecycle & colony behavior
  • Queen spotting, swarm prevention, feeding strategies
  • Mite checks, wax rendering, honey harvesting
  • Seasonal decision-making, journaling, and troubleshooting