I don't think I am in both camps.  I could not and do not support a family
on what I make from beekeeping.  My 35 years in the Corporate world results
in my being able to more or less work full time at beekeeping and not make
any money!  (I do make money from Ross Rounds, but I don't have to have 200
hives to do that.  Tom Ross had three hives!)

As far as I can see, once one has enough hives (and related equipment)
to support a family, it is hard or even impossible to slow down enough to
just 'enjoy' beekeeping.

Certainly we never were joyful about keeping a dairy herd along with all the
related hay and cord.  We did it because we had to, and some didn't know
anything else.

Lloyd


On 2/23/07, mark berninghausen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Well said Lloyd. At one time these numbers were sorta reversed, weren't
> they?
>
> But I would take exception to the last line. If the 5% refered to don't
> "celebrate the joys of beekeeping" what do they do? And aren't you sorta in
> both camps? Not to be personal.
>
> Lloyd Spear <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 90% of the
> hives in the US are owned by less than 5% of the beekeepers. All of our
> 'national' organizations are dominated by those 5%, as perhaps they should
> be. Those 95% of us who celebrate the joys of beekeeping do not have a
> bright outlook for at least the next several years.
>
>
>
>
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>



-- 
Lloyd Spear
Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections,
Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels.
Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com

-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and  other info ---