The early months of each year are critical to bee health and productivity. The normal pressures of the winter season, combined with the ongoing issues of mites and colony collapse disorder, have created particularly challenging circumstances for beekeepers. To address this situation, Johnson Co. Extension hosted an educational session for county beekeepers. State apiarist Tammy Horn gave a presentation on the special considerations producers should make to start the season with strong hives, including early mite treatments, proper frame management, and capturing wild swarms. There were 23 beekeepers present, representing 14 bee operations. Seven operations reported increased knowledge about mite control techniques and two reported increased confidence with handling wild swarms.