Kim -

Very interesting,  Although the weight of the equipment is of great interest 
to the larger (number of colonies, that is) beekeepers, I have never heard a 
small-timer quit because of weight - Change to medium, yes.  Quit no.  And 
most beekeepers are small-timers.

>       Time away from the job and volunteer work to do bees
>       Money enough to buy the equipment

At that point in life opportunities exist. I meet many potential beekeepers 
who are drawn by the altruistic values of keeping bees.  Time + money + an 
interest in improving the environment.

> 20% have gone to the big beeyard in the sky
> 50%, yes, 50% quit because their colonies died, and, by their
> determination, of varroa mites
> 25%, yes, 25% quit because they are tired of buying 3 or 4 queens every
> year for a colony...this by their determination

Amazing, a 20% fatality rate!  Again testifying to the aging beekeeper.  I 
wonder if AARP has that high of a rate.

The 50% need help to deal with the discouragement.  They take the death of 
the colony personally.  Indeed, those who know (or think they do) can pitch 
in and help.

And - ah, yes - the quality of queens continues to be poor.  Reasons TBD. 
Of about 20 nubees I helped get started this year 25% experienced a queen 
loss.  Do even the commercial beekeepers have that many queen failures?  How 
do we help here?


> Now, think how many people belong to associations....and how many don't.

Indeed, a mentor is the best antidote to disappointment.  Good info, Kim. 
Thanks.

Larry Krengel
Marengo, IL 

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