Are you interested in beekeeping? Great! Here are some resources that we can recommend.
- Watch some videos from real beekeepers. Some of our favorites are Kamon Reynolds and David Burns. This will give you a great sense of what it's like. Don't stop with the videos, though. Modern beekeeping is complex enough to require some basic study.
- Do some reading before you buy bees. Remember that bees are livestock, and beekeepers have a responsibility to ensure that their bees are being kept humanely. There are tons of good bee books out there. Our first was The Backyard Beekeeper by Kim Flottum.
- Seek out your local beekeeping organization. Mine is called The Beekeepers' Guild of San Mateo County, and if you search for _your county_ beekeepers you'll find yours.
- As you advance, check out the California Master Beekeeper Program.
- Mites are serious. Some beekeepers lose half of their colonies every year. Have a science based plan. Check out Randy Oliver.
- The r/Beeekeeping reddit is active and generally a supportive community.
Lastly, do not believe everything you read or hear. Do not expect beekeeping to be an exact science. Be open minded, experiment, be prepared to work hard and serve the bees. If you do that, you'll be fine.
You may always write to us (see below) if you have any questions. We're happy to help.