Informational Resources for Beekeepers
I love to share information when I have it, so have included an article on Informational Resources for Beekeepers from the American Bee Journal written by Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida Honey Bee Research and extension Lab.
Access here: Field Guide to Beekeeping
There appears to be a growing interest in beekeeping in the U.S. Many people are getting into beekeeping as a hobby and livelihood. To give an example close to home, there were about 900 – 1,100 beekeepers in Florida when I began working at the University of Florida in 2006. Now, there are over 3,500 beekeepers. Of course, this does not account for the number of people who keep bees “off the grid” in Florida, but it does illustrate the point that more people are diving into this fascinating endeavor, perhaps more people than ever have.
Beekeeping is addictive. Bee fever is contagious. I have known so many budding beekeepers who jump into this hobby with little planning or consideration because of the craft’s ability to capture its practitioners. There is a lot more to beekeeping than simply having a hive of bees from which you can harvest honey any time you want. One must have skill, knowledge, persistence, and a little luck to succeed at this craft.
Beekeeping is not easy. New beekeepers have to learn an entire new vocabulary, work with new tools, and become expert woodworkers, veterinarians, horticulturists, enterprising CEOs, marketers, biologists, and food safety workers. On top of that, beekeepers work with insects that most of the rest of the general public fear so much that they will drive off the road trying to get a trapped bee out of their car. I share all of this to ask a simple question: why would anyone get into this hobby/profession without being prepared or having a robust support network from which one can get help/advice? Yet, people do all the time. It is not uncommon for me to see people purchasing 50 colonies, without ever even working one before.
Do not hear me wrong; I want people to get into beekeeping. I love keeping bees. My involvement with bees has brought me considerable personal and professional satisfaction. However, I feel that it is important for all beekeepers, new-bees and experienced beekeepers alike, to be aware of the resources available to them so that they can maximize their beekeeping experience. It is with this goal in mind that I pen the following information.
The purpose of this article is to provide a single source that can serve as a reference of resources for beekeepers. I list many of the types of resources available to beekeepers. I give some specific examples of each type of resource I discuss. My list of examples is not exhaustive. I apologize sincerely if I fail to mention a resource about which you are aware and use regularly. In fact, please let me know via email if my list is incomplete. I welcome the opportunity to expand the list.
A final precautionary note: please consider all information you read and hear about bees critically. I know of too many people who are taught erroneous information, never to let the information go. Hold your beekeeping conclusions lightly. Doing so may keep you from looking foolish.
Please access the link above for the rest of the article.
