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. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html