Newbie

[Mike Boettcher]

Hello,

I live in Dodge City, Ks. I have a brother just north of Newton who has encouaged me to start getting envolved in this hobby.

To be honest, I am interested but I have no knowledge what so ever. WHERE DO I START?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

Mike Boettcher

[tecumseh]

ask questions... read... ask more questions... find a local beekeeper that will allow you to peek over their shoulder.... come spring acquire a hive of your own... just do it.

oh yea...welcome aboard.

[Walt McBride]

Order and read the book "How To Keep Bees And Sell Honey" from the Walter Kelley Co. They are on line. I think that book $5, is a exhalant starting primer as it explaines the equipment that is used in keeping bees and every thing else with pictures.
Walt

[Konrad]

All good answers!....and perhaps, join a local bee club.
Konrad

[Budster]

Now is the perfect time to get started. Read all that you can. This website is invaluble. I also started late last year, and didn't actually aquire bees until late spring of this year. Start building up a collection of the equipment you will need. You have plenty of time to shop around for good deals! Also, start putting your name on swarm lists so that you can get calls early when there are plenty of swarms to capture. I wanted to take a bee course with a local bee club, but lacked the funds, and now have bees and am learning as time moves on. To me, thats the fun part. Learning more and more, and using what I learned on the bees. I am hoping my hive makes it through the winter, but if not, I will have bees again next spring. This has turned out to be more fun than I ever anticipated!

[Bob D]

Read as much as you can first. However, remember, whatever information you aquire from on-line sources, MAKE SURE it is information about beekeeping in your area. What a beekeeper does in Texas and a lot Different than what is done in New Hampshire or New Jersey. Be careful in that respect.

Then look up bee clubs in your area. Many bee clubs offer what is called "Bee School." Depending where you are, it is usually $40 to $60 a year and sometimes includes membership to the club. It is usually 1 might a week in the late winter and ends at about the time the bees come in. At that point, you should have learned enough to get you started.

Then, at the clubs, you will always meet and make friends with those who have been doing it for years! Take advantage of this and ask questions! They love it and you'll learn!

Good Luck!

[Tom Chaudoir]

Welcome, Mike.

WHERE DO I START?

We all started from different points. The important thing is to start.

Books are great. Hanging around here REALLY helps. The best teaching tools will be your bees. Jump in.

Try to start with at least 2 hives. You will run into situations where you will want to borrow resources from one hive to help another.

If you can, make some friends in meatspace too. Here's a list of clubs in Kansas.

You found a great hobby. Good luck!

[size="1"][ July 24, 2006, 03:48 PM: Message edited by: Tom Chaudoir ][/size]

[FlipFlopFarmer]

My library had both the book and the video set for Honey Bees & Beekeeping. That was very helpful. I also liked the Beekeeping for Dummies book and I typically don't care for the "Dummies" books.

Carla

[Kansas_Larry]

I am the brother who live just north of Newton. The best way to get started in keeping bees is to do whatever your little brother tells you to do.

[tecumseh]

glad to see that mike has someone close to set him straight from time to time... that make beginning much easier.

and thanks for poking your head in the door larry and introducing yourself.***


***
one of my good buds here is a fellow vietnam vet from central kansas who goes by the alias of cowboy larry (he ain't the drugstore variety).

good luck to you both...

[power napper]

You found the right place to help the journey forward!

[GA-BEE]

WELCOME!

You are at the right place. You can learn everything you need to know here at Beesource. Ask questions and visit the chat room. Start your bee library as soon as you can.

[Hanginin]

Welcome Mike. All journeys begin with the first step. You'll find willing help here and also if you can find a local bee club. The only dumb question was the one you did'nt ask.

[Ruben]

>do whatever your little brother tells you to do.


That got me into a lot of trouble growing up!

[BULLSEYE BILL]

>I live in Dodge City, Ks.

Find a site near a feed lot so you will have a good water supply. Also during the winter the bees will forage grain dust from the feed troughs.

Contact Joli Whinner at Mid Con in Olatha and get on the mailing list for the Kansas Honey Producers Assn. so you can attend the spring and fall meetings.

Go to the State Fair in Hutchinson the first week of September where we will be having a booth.

Welcome to your next hobby that will take all your spare time and money.

Oh yeah, listen to your little brother.