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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Justin Kay <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 16 Apr 2017 09:30:37 -0400
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I probably get one or two requests a month for people that want to learn
beekeeping, and want me to mentor them. All haven't purchased bees yet, or
equipment, and want someone to walk them through what to do. I'm not the
best person to become a mentor (60 hr/wk day job, sideline beekeeper, 6
month old daughter, and so on), but I tell every one of them before I'm
willing to even discuss the topic with them, they need to read a beginner
book, cover to cover. I usually give them the choice of Caron's book (
https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Bee-Biology-Beekeeping-Revised/
dp/1878075292/ref=pd_sim_14_41?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=
1878075292&pd_rd_r=77TPQC07KCAS66V8MBX8&pd_rd_w=dxy2d&pd_rd_
wg=tF59k&psc=1&refRID=77TPQC07KCAS66V8MBX8)
or Sammataro's book (
https://www.amazon.com/Beekeepers-Handbook-Diana-Sammataro/
dp/0801476941/ref=pd_bxgy_14_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=
0801476941&pd_rd_r=77TPQC07KCAS66V8MBX8&pd_rd_w=7vyAB&pd_rd_
wg=tF59k&psc=1&refRID=77TPQC07KCAS66V8MBX8).
Both go through the basics, equipment, purchase options, seasonality,
extracting, and diseases. Both books can't be read in an afternoon, or
probably even a weekend for most people. My theory is, if you make it
through the book, you have an understanding of the work involved as well as
the cost, and you're motivated enough to actually keep bees. Once they've
finished the book, I tell them to reach out to me and I'll discuss the next
steps.

I've probably made that "ultimatum" to 30 people. Not a single one has
contacted me back after reading either book. Including my father. A few
brush off my demand and begin asking questions anyway, to which I often
respond politely to "please read one of the books first, as your answers
are in there." A few balk at the price of Caron's book, and that politely
ends the conversation right there.

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