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Beekeeping Links - Peace Corps

I found an especially interesting link on beekeeping, so I thought I might share it here for those interested:

Small Scale Beekeeping

Written by Curtis Gentry

in December 1982

http://www.beekeeping.com/articles/us/small_beekeeping/homepage.htm

Beekeeping - Lesson 1

Beekeeping class went well.  We all sat in folding chairs in a large beekeeping garage.  There were over 30 people including my husband and I.  Many were pros or already keeping bees and wanting to learn more.  We are so-called 'new-bees'.  :o)   Nope - never had a hive, may never have one. 

The teacher is a fine fellow full of facts and encouragement, answering questions as they came up (which I appreciate since questions fade if not addressed at the time). 

Did you know that some beekeepers serve the farming community?  Yes, they do!  Our teacher, for example, sells honey and other bee products.  But he also takes hives to the growing community to ensure a good crop.  Amazing, isn't it?  I never knew that - but I must say we see very few bees around our home this last year or so.  It makes sense. 

One thing I learned is that going up a (very) steep hill to the hives was really beyond me.  I huffed and puffed back to the car to grab a book and rest a bit.  My sweetie braved the bees and attended the hands on part of the training.

I loved it!  We got a 5 lb jar of honey before we left for $20 minus the jar fee (we brought one back) that became $17.50.

Next lesson is April 30...  (later)

HONEY BEES

Today we go to Beekeeping Lesson 1.  We never kept bees, but now we will be learning about it.  Possibly we will take the leap and get started. 

It's a series of 'hands-on' lessons that will last over the summer.  Theory is we will learn by doing and get experience with all the seasons of beekeeping.  At the introductory lesson (last month) we had an overview. 

One thing that makes me especially interested is that bees are disappearing (Colony Collapse) in large numbers.  One day the beekeeper returns to the hive and the bees are just GONE!  The reason is still unclear although there are several notions unproven.  Danger is that we NEED bees to pollinate the crops and fruits or there will be NO food.

I'll post back after our lesson and let you know how it goes and what we learned.  Maybe I'll even have a photo or two?!