how many female beekeepers post to this forum?

[kc in wv]

I was reading the Brushy Mountain free shipping post and I noticed several ladies posting. We have seen an increase of female membership in our beekeeping association and I was wondering if the whole industry was seeing the same increase.

[Pincushion]

My local association seems to be roughly 1/2 female, many husband-wife members but also women on their own, and two sets of father-daughter (including me and my daughter). We also have one mother-son pair.

[ December 10, 2006, 04:26 PM: Message edited by: Pincushion ]

[Todd Zeiner]

Our club has a lot of new members that are a husband and wife team.

My three daughters help me from time to time. Maybe they will carry on the smoker.

[gardenbees]

Our rural group is almost entirely men over 65. Boy do I feel out of place at the meetings! But I do have a good friend who is my age (41) and also a female so I know there are more of us out there. My husband and two teenage sons refuse to go near the bees. Theresa.

[ December 10, 2006, 06:36 PM: Message edited by: gardenbees ]

[George Fergusson]

About 1/2 of our local chapter of the Maine State Beekeeper's Association are women. My wife helps me when she has time, and she does very well with the bees. She loves them, and they like her. Women in general I think are emotionally well equipped to handle bees. They're gentler, more sensitive, and less hurried than a lot of men.

Go figure smile.gif

[tecumseh]

humm... I do believe that the owner of burt's bees is female (she was thumbing a ride when burt gave her a lift).

[Donna Marie, Honeybee by the Sea]

Hi, We are split about 50/50 in our County Beekeepers group, sure see a lot of interest!
I could be wrong but women are ofter more inclined to 'join' groups and seek moral support and certification training, and there are a lot of maverick type of male beekeepers who are doing their own independent thing...

Just an opinion. Will I now be the object of sling and arrows of outrageous fortune???

Cheers D

[Donna Marie, Honeybee by the Sea]

PS tecumseh, I read an article about Burts Bees, He was the beekeeper, she did marketing, and I think he still lives modestly with his bees in a cabin in the woods.

She is worth millions...

[Cyndi]

Well, count me in as a female beekeeper. Although, my husband just comes in handy when its time to lift those heavy supers. Otherwise, I'm the keeper of the bees. Husband just follows my instructions. Dear Daughter is my right hand assistant. I homeschool, so this is our ongoing science project and arts & crafts class when we are making candles.

[MichelleB]

Lady beekeeper here, too, with my beau and his son as assistants.

[Parke County Queen]

I keep the bees, but husband helps with the lifting like Cyndi. He was dead set against me getting them, but is now fascinated with the girls.

[Hobie]

Another lady beekeeper, here. My assistant is usually the (female) cat. Husband has helped move hives and eat honey, but generally thinks I'm nuts. :D (Well, I do catch him watching the hive now and then...)

[Judy Bee]

Lady beekeeper here, too. Not too long ago someone posted that the average time a hobbiest lasts is 5 years. Well, I'm a hobbiest going on her 6th year and just became VP of the Lane County Beekeepers Association. More into my bees than ever!

-Judy