Careers in Beekeeping

[fatscher]

Folks I'm ready to retire from Uncle Sam's Air Force. I'm 43, in good shape, despite being a little overweight, but I lift 80lb 10-frame deeps and climb stairs two steps at a time. I got no body parts in pain, no knee or joint problems.

I want to start a new life as a professional beekeeper. I don't want to own my own business yet. I want to manage someone else's bees. I don't care how low the salary is (by the way, what can I expect to earn?).

I don't know how to drive a forklift, or major heavy machinery, so I'd need training there. But I'm on the verge of starting to acquire my master bee keepers certification.

I know New Zeland is looking for beekeepers.

I don't have an impressive resume, been keeping bees since August 2007. But I think I've learned a lot, and there's a passion I've felt doing this, I haven't felt in a long time. I want to work out doors...been working indoors all my 21 years of AF life.

Is there a demand for beekeepers? I think I'm acquiring some good skills, even just a year into it.

Be honest with me, what's my prospects? Would you hire me?

[RayMarler]

Try this link, someone in here was looking for help to hire...

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221959&highlight=wanted

[tecumseh]

I hope you do know that the kind of work you are seeking is a bit different from what is required in the armed forces?

I think the person that mr marler was talking about was michael palmer (vermont). you might wish to pm him directly.

fatcher ask directly:

Be honest with me, what's my prospects? Would you hire me?

tecumseh: well personally I am not large enough to employ any labor besides my own. If I was (or if I ran a large commercial operation) this question would be TOTALLY dependent on the individual. in the past it has been my experience that it is difficult for anyone coming out of the armed services to adjust to the physical and mental challanges of migratory bee keeping.... the pay is low and the demands are high.

just tryin' to be straight up with ya' here... and the best of luck to ya'.

[danwyns]

Know what you're getting into. The schedule, remote locations and fact that you'll be playing with millions of stinging insects dictate that you'll live somewhere near the fringe. In US$ I started at about 9/hr, no benis, no overtime. Now (4yrs on) I make about 45k/yr with a vehicle and 2 months holiday. In season I work 50-80 hrs/wk and most of it is heavy, sweaty work. I love it and wouldn't trade the lifestyle for anything as a young guy, but I don't want to put my body through the ringer for a lifetime. I've met too many hunched over lifers. Despite broken bodies, I have yet to meet a long time beek who isn't a genuinely good person. Don't know if the bees attract a certain sort or weed out the jerks. . .

Their is definitely a demand for beeks in NZ. I work in a town of <10k people with 3 major (2k+ hives) operations and a handful of sideliners. The 3 big guys employ 1 US (me), 2 czech, 2 UK, 1 Thai, 2 fillipino, 1 Ukraine and 2 NZ born beeks plus a variety of short term laborers (mostly N euro backpackers). Beekeeping is on the govt skills shortage list which means it's easier to get work visas/permits through immigration.

I don't have any experience in the US but this is written by a beesourcer and is worth reading--> http://bee-quick.com/reprints/udunno.pdf

I would guess the transition from military to commercial beek is HUGE. If it is a change of lifestyle you seek and you're really interested in bees then make it happen, just go in with your eyes open.

Best,

dw

[alpha6]

Most large commercial beeks I know run their own business with seasonal help. Those that can no longer run the business usually sell out rather then take on full time help. So if you are planning on getting into it and taking care of 1 to 3 k hives I suggest you start by looking for guys getting out of the business and buying up their operation. If you can't get the money right away start small like with 50 hives and then split each year. This also gives you time to scout for yards in your area and coordinate with other beeks in your area so you don't overlap areas. You can build up quicker then you think like this. 50 first year. 100 to 150 next depending on your splits. If you do a three frame split you can get 150. So the next year you can be up to 200 hives or 450 and so on.

If you want to learn the trade get with a commercial beek as seasonal help to really get a feel for it and run some of your own hives at the same time. If you are up for it then start building your business or look to take over someones.

Good luck.

[TwT]

I know New Zeland is looking for beekeepers.



I have looked and seen some stuff but where and why is new zeland looking for beekeepers, I just seen they are battling EFB.

[jean-marc]

Fatscher:

There is plenty of beekeeping work wherever you may go in the world. I'm sure you can find work in the USA. New zealand and Australia are always looking for guys. There are always people advertising in the ABJ. If you do not have many ties then I would probably go to California where there are plenty of hives getting ready for the almond pollination season. Otherwise Florida, or Texas where many hives are overwintered. Bring a veil , a smoker and a hive tool with you. Pack a lunch somebody will hire you on the spot and good luck. Careful what you wish for the good Lord may grant you your wish as a punishment.

Jean-Marc

[sqkcrk]

Is there a demand for beekeepers? I think I'm acquiring some good skills, even just a year into it.

Be honest with me, what's my prospects? Would you hire me?

If you are willing to travel there are a few folks that I know who might be willing to give you a taste of commercial beekeeping and pay you too. Room and board are provided too. PM me for further communications and details.

[Matt Beekman]

My $0.02:

To move to the front of the class, get a CDL (commercial drivers license). Getting good people to move bees is hard.

[beemandan]

in the past it has been my experience that it is difficult for anyone coming out of the armed services to adjust to the physical and mental challanges of migratory bee keeping....

I'd be interested in hearing you elaborate on this particular comment. Unless I've misunderstood it, you've taken a bit of a jab at the ex military folks.
In my experience ex military people are pretty much like the rest of us.

[alpha6]

I don't know, but I prefer beekeeping to lugging around a 110 lb pack and a rifle, pistol and anti-tank missile and all the ammo that goes with it and four days food out in some frigging middle eastern desert. As a matter of fact I find it quiet relaxing. I prefer the buzzing of bees to the buzzing of bullets and shrapnel whizzing by your head. Lifting supers onto a flat bed is sure easier then throwing 60 lbs boxes of 25mm rounds into a 5 ton where the bed sits chest high. I don't know...when I look at it I would prefer to have an ex-military guy who is used to work and can accomplish things with little direction working for me. Call me crazy. ;)

[sqkcrk]

Okay, crazy alpha6,

I know that techumseh can defend himself, but maybe he was talking about people that he knows and not guys like you and Keith. I agree w/ you that having someone who can do the grunt work and not have to ask alot of questions when it's time to get something done would be valuable.

I like guys who don't ask alot of questions when we're working, but save the questions for time in between yards and during lunch. Why do you do that that way can be the most frustrating question when it's asked over and over again. Especially when it's followed up with "So and so doesn't do it that way." or "Such and such a book says to do it this way." But, intelligent inquiry is a good thing.

[alpha6]

I like guys who don't ask alot of questions when we're working, but save the questions for time in between yards and during lunch. Why do you do that that way can be the most frustrating question when it's asked over and over again. Especially when it's followed up with "So and so doesn't do it that way." or "Such and such a book says to do it this way." But, intelligent inquiry is a good thing.

Amen brother...amen.

[tecumseh]

beemandan writes:
I'd be interested in hearing you elaborate on this particular comment. Unless I've misunderstood it, you've taken a bit of a jab at the ex military folks.
In my experience ex military people are pretty much like the rest of us.

tecumseh: are you looking for offense? it is quite evident that you have misunderstood.

the fact that you snipped out the sentence prior and the elaboration behind speaks volumes.

fatscher: if my remarks offend... then I do apologize.

I think sqkcrk is giving you excellent positive direction.

as someone else suggested... obtaining a commercialdriver's license would be an excellent credential for any entry level employment. most people with average eye hand cordination can learn to operate a forklift OTJ.

perhaps I would extend my job elaboration to be... be prepared to live out of a suitcase, working long hours seasonally for minimum wage. it is better to have no family.

on the upside... the solitude and the wonderment of working in some fairly remote places can make all you give up above quite worthwhile.

and sometime a person just needs to follow their dreams.

if you have any specific questions just pm me.

good luck to ya'...

[Ken&Andria]

in the past it has been my experience that it is difficult for anyone coming out of the armed services to adjust to the physical and mental challanges of migratory bee keeping.... the pay is low and the demands are high.

OK, I counted to ten before I posted. Low pay in a highly demanding enviroment was the basic job description of my military service. Maybe yours was different, but I find this statement absolutely stunning. Actually, I find it insulting.

[cow pollinater]

You guys know that tecumseh was in the navy, right? I'd be a little insulted to without that little jewel of info.

[tecumseh]

ken and andria writes:
OK, I counted to ten before I posted.

tecumseh: perhaps you should have counted to 12?

are you also looking for offense?

cowpollinator writes:
You guys know

tecumseh writes: well I suspect cow pollinator (I am definitely profiling here) that given the kind of work you do (which is basically agricultural in nature.. correct?) that you know exactly what I am talking about...

[Flyer Jim]

You guys know that tecumseh was in the navy, right? I'd be a little insulted to without that little jewel of info.

so he can play a tune with a chipping hammer? ;)

[beemandan]

tecumseh: are you looking for offense? it is quite evident that you have misunderstood. .
Man alive! I believe that I very politely pointed out a sentence that I assumed you didn’t intend. I invited you to correct it. Instead of rephrasing it to remove the offense you attack me.


the fact that you snipped out the sentence prior and the elaboration behind speaks volumes..
I’ve reread the entire post several times to see if indeed I was mistaken and it still looks insulting.

You guys know that tecumseh was in the navy, right? I'd be a little insulted to without that little jewel of info.
I didn’t know that. It still seems like he could rephrase the comment so it said what he meant.

OK. Now t, I’d suggest that you disconnect your keyboard and engage all of your advanced degrees and experience before answering.

I was polite with my initial invitation. I’m not sure that I should be here. But I’m going to try.


tecumseh writes: well I suspect cow pollinator (I am definitely profiling here) that given the kind of work you do (which is basically agricultural in nature.. correct?) that you know exactly what I am talking about...
What, exactly do you mean by that?

[BigDaddyDS]

In the past it has been my experience that it is difficult for anyone coming out of the armed services to adjust to the physical and mental challanges of migratory bee keeping.... the pay is low and the demands are high.

For what it's worth, when I read this I thought:

Low pay? High physical demands? Living out of a suitcase and away from friends, family and other loved ones?

Heck, if that's the case, I'd have stayed in the military! At least Uncle Sam provides full meals, and not just honey!

(No insult detected.)

DS

[sqkcrk]

working long hours seasonally for minimum wage. it is better to have no family.


Working long hours? Yes, at times.
Better to have no family? Yeah, maybe, but not necassarily. Having one that can get along w/out you for a period of time will work. Kinda like being deployed, w/out someone shooting at you. Usually. :)
Minimum wage? I don't want to cause a rush here, but I don't know any of my beekeeping buddies who pay minimum wage. Not even Farm Minimum wage. We all know that you pay for what you get. And we, my buddies and I, want someone who can work and is interested in learning about bees or preferably already knows something about working bees. So better than Minimum Wage is the norm w/ those that I work w/ and for. Room and board are included too.

[TwT]

Working long hours? Yes, at times.
Better to have no family? Yeah, maybe, but not necassarily. Having one that can get along w/out you for a period of time will work. Kinda like being deployed, w/out someone shooting at you. Usually. :)
Minimum wage? I don't want to cause a rush here, but I don't know any of my beekeeping buddies who pay minimum wage. Not even Farm Minimum wage. We all know that you pay for what you get. And we, my buddies and I, want someone who can work and is interested in learning about bees or preferably already knows something about working bees. So better than Minimum Wage is the norm w/ those that I work w/ and for. Room and board are included too.

man I tell you, as soon as my kids get out of college and I divorce my wife and she takes everything, I am moving in. a job I enjoy and dont have to hear a women gripe about the sun coming up :D ;)

[tecumseh]

beemandanwrites:
I was polite with my initial invitation. I’m not sure that I should be here. But I’m going to try.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tecumseh
tecumseh writes: well I suspect cow pollinator (I am definitely profiling here) that given the kind of work you do (which is basically agricultural in nature.. correct?) that you know exactly what I am talking about...

What, exactly do you mean by that?

tecumseh: polite... I think NOT. , you first accuse me of insulting someone who ask for our unfettered opinion... straight up with no shuck and jive.

so why do you see this little comment (with the snip about it always being a decision based on the individual being conviently removed) as insulting? once again are you actively searching for insult.


lastly if cow pollinators pm to me is believable (and personally I find cow polinators ways quite refreshing... although we are quite likely to disagree on almost everythings political) then he understood quite directly what I was talking about....

although this summary is not in cow pollinators own words... I will let you in on our little secret. most of the work that can be described as agriculture is undervalued especially when it comes to any understanding by the populace as to the PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE that is required to be even marginally successful. By the nature of the beast you can bring the very best qualification and information to the job and mother nature can still toss you a screw ball. Just the lack of understanding about why one does certain things and doesn't do other things can be something of a large disability in the world of agriculture.

[Cyndi]

Hmmm?? I still haven't made any $$$ in beekeeping...in fact, every year I write my company off as a loss. If I were you, first I would eliminate the word career from your mind...this ain't no career, believe me. HOWEVER, you could just do it for the love of bees and HONEY, LOL!!! :D

[dbest]

If your not making money in beekeeping your not trying. I have 2 homes in one in Michigan and one and Georgia. I drive a new truck and I owe less than $140,000. This business is very profitable if your willing to work for it. Many lonely nights in a sleeper cab and endless hours on the road. During busy times I can easily forget what day of the week it is, I've even looked at my watch a 6 o'clock and wondered, am or pm? The biggest challege I face as a larger operator is not how to work the bees. If you know how to keep one alive and making honey just muliply that timesa few thousand. My biggest problem is employees. When I read an article about Adee's 100,000 hives I wondered how in the world do they manage that many employees?

[sqkcrk]

Hmmm?? I still haven't made any $$$ in beekeeping...in fact, every year I write my company off as a loss. If I were you, first I would eliminate the word career from your mind...this ain't no career, believe me. HOWEVER, you could just do it for the love of bees and HONEY, LOL!!! :D

Maybe you should work for a beekeeper and then you would make some money from beekeeping. But I know what you mean, Cyndi.

[sqkcrk]

dbest, what do you pay your help? $10.00/hr? $15.00?

[Cyndi]

Actually, I was posting in all fun. BUT, You're right, I don't work hard enough at the money aspect of it...mainly because I enjoy beekeeping too much to make a career out of it and because, IMO and what works with my life, is that when money is involved, then it becomes stressful, and not worth it. It simply takes the joy out of my fun. So, having that said...

If I wanted to make alot of money at beekeeping, I believe it takes many, many years of experience to make it in this industry. Not just the actual chores of beekeeping, but the marketing yourself to the public, the bookkeeping aspect, the everything involved is alot. It also helps if you have a couple of persons assisting you. I do everything alone and by myself. Therefore, I personally like having a life and I like to do other things. It's a balance that I feel is necessary if your gonna bee successful. Personally, I don't have the desire to spend endless hours on the road traveling, much less go without my precious sleep. What good could come out of being stressed out, sleep deprived and not too mention my health?? Thanks, but no thanks. (Yikes, I can't believe I said that!! :D) Besides, I'm not really crazy about the commerical beekeeping industry, period.

Meanwhile, I'll keep poking along with my little apiary and my bees...and no money, LOL!!!

[dbest]

I pay my high schoolers between 7 and 9 and my full timers up to 18, if they can drive a 13 speed and drive forklifts. I also pay a production bonus. The harder they work the more they get paid. If we can turn a 10,000 pound day extracting everyone gets more to take more home for that day. Same goes for pulling or even assembling equipment. So far my best workers are young women they're smarter and better workers than anyone (including me). In Michigan its easy to get UAW retirees for seasonal projects.

--I couldn't agree more about working for a beekeeper. I have had years where one or more of my workers took home more than I did. I figure they didn't take on the risk and they did they best they could so they deserve to.

--I'm also not a very stressful person, I actually love what I do. Watching the sun rise though my windshield or watching it set over an orange or almond grove, seeing a big queen laying her heart out on a frame mixed with pollen and honey. We are by far the oddest batch of people in the world, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[sqkcrk]

Thanks dbest. Couldn't agree w/ you more. Love your tag line.

[the buzz]

I would have to agree with Dbest .You have to enjoy what you do . I hire employees for assembling equipement (pay by unit) For everything else 10$ an hour , when no expeience. There's $ in beekeeping, you must be innovative and top of things Why wholesale when you can retail , cut out the middle guy . Stop giving away honey at low prices, make new products. If you have something people want , they will find you.

[blaine]

Come on man.... any dern fool ijit can make a small fortune at beekeeping!




Just start with a large one. :D

[JohnK and Sheri]

>>>Bring a veil , a smoker and a hive tool with you. Pack a lunch somebody will hire you on the spot and good luck. <<<
We will tell you the time and place in California mid November and if you are there we could sure use you. We'll even supply the veils, smokers and hive tools.:)

Seriously, as to hiring you, your limited resume is not the liability you may think it is. We have found it is better to hire someone with NO history of bees but a good work ethic, than to hire an experienced hobby beekeeper with no work ethic. It is easy to teach you to drive a forklift, but by the time we hire you, it is too late to teach a work ethic or sense of responsibility.

Hobby beekeeping, while it can be hard work, is really play. You can quit when you want, your next meal doesn't count on your finishing. Hobbyists can stop and smell the roses, the commercials are more likely to run over the roses with the Swinger.
I don't have enough fingers to count the folks we know who thought they wanted to be commercial keepers but changed their minds once they were.
I would not burn too many bridges until I knew this was the path I really wanted, but if you aren't afraid of long hours or hard work, have beekeeping in the blood and are flexible on location there are a ton of opportunities out there.
Sheri

[tecumseh]

sheri writes:
We have found it is better to hire someone with NO history

tecumeh:
years ago an old hand told me he would rather hire someone not ladened with bad habits... these can be very difficult to correct.

the bumps in the road in regards to commercial beekeeping can be tough. I would guess finding folks that will stick when the road get rough would be important?

[Michael Bush]

"I should say that beekeeping is a good business to let alone, for the same amount of brains and energy that will make you a living at beekeeping will make more than a living at almost any other business."--C.C. Miller, A Thousand answers to beekeeping questions 1917 edition Page 18

[JohnK and Sheri]

"...the same amount of brains and energy that will make you a living at beekeeping will make more than a living at almost any other business."

LOL, John always says it takes a strong back and a weak mind to be a beekeeper. Seems to me if the mind were a little stronger you could hire someone to do the hard work and not need quite that strong a back, but I think he's just a glutton for punishment.

Seriously, there are few professions where you have the potential to realize such a quick return of capital as in beekeeping. I say potential cuz there is also the potential to go bankrupt your first season, but that potential is in every business.
Sheri