If you ’re just getting started with hold back bees , you ’ll need someone to show you the Mexican valium . It ’s always wise to read up as much as you’re able to before actually care bee — learn about their social structure , hive dynamics , workers ’ roles and everythingthe queendoes . But as much as we love geeking out on our bee books , they ca n’t stand up with us , watch over our first hive review and impart a guiding circle of eye , ear or custody . For this , the novel , draw a bead on beekeeper needs a mentor .
A beekeeping mentor is a seasoned beekeeper who has the sentence and availableness to draw you , workforce - on , through your first beekeeping season . Ideally , this individual has been in the field long enough to feel comfortable with stock beekeeping practices and knowsthe domestic honeybeereally , really well . If we ’re cause our beekeeping mentor compliments list , you ’d also want to find someone you get in touch with and jive with — someone who understands you , respects you and will manoeuvre you through your chosen beekeeping practices , philosophically and physically .
So the giving question is : Where do you feel your beekeeping mentor ?
1. Your Local Beekeeping Club
If your townspeople , city or neighborhood has a beekeeping cabaret , it ’s your best bet for find a honorable mentor . Local clubs usually hold coming together monthly , discussing pertinent topics as they relate to both local and spheric issue . For local issuing , think things like current atmospheric condition patterns and long stretches without intellectual nourishment sources for your bees , and more . For world-wide issues , think about the spread of Varroa destructor or new discovery in honeybee research .
Beekeeping clubs are a heavy place to discover fellow member that are mesh , care about bees and need to see the next generation of beekeepers deliver the goods . talk to one of the board members about your hunt for a mentor , and they can make announcements at the meetings , on the club ’s website or Facebook pageboy , or send your middleman info through the social club ’s e-mail reference books . There are so many ways to plug into here !
2. Your County Extension Office
If your municipality does n’t have a club but there ’s a beekeeping chapter at yourcounty filename extension office , start there . This free service is invaluable to apiculturist and nurseryman likewise . shoot the breeze or call their office and necessitate them to distribute the parole ; they may be able to share your information in a number of ways , such as those list above . They may even have the names and contact data on file of available beekeepers who have offered to mentor newbies .
3. Social Media
We are more connected than ever thanks to social medium . As you get start out with keeping bees , follow beekeeper on social media sites , such as Instagram and Twitter , and , most significantly , join a local beekeeping radical on Facebook . you’re able to quickly and easily post that you ’re in hunt of a mentor and be able to sing extensively with likely candidates before even meeting . Facebook ’s chat and messenger choice is big for real - time conversation in between existent - fourth dimension confluence with your wise man .
4. Word Of Mouth
Never underestimate the power of the give-and-take of mouth ! If none of the above option have worked for you , you may have some skillful old - fashioned legwork to do . Ask around to anyone you may know who is connected in the farming community or who may bang beekeepers . Visit your local homesteading supply store , and ask there ; they may even leave you to post to a bulletin board ( so retro , I know ) .
Whatever you do , do n’t give up . To be the best beekeeper you may be means getting started on the right foot . Having a wise man as you plain off that journey with offer you an unparalleled chance to learn the nontextual matter of beekeeping in a very particular way — together , with someone who knows and communes with bees .
