Beekeeping

I started beekeeping about a dozen years ago. My wife, Adrienne, gave me two hives that I had to transport in the back of a minivan to our farm. Yes, some of the bees did get out during the drive but I was no worse for wear.

There is a lot to learn about beekeeping — checking on the health of the queen, seeing how they are building the hive, making sure that they have enough food over the winter, bears, cold weather, swarms, mites, etc. I always lose at least one hive over the winter although I have not lost a hive due to the current swarming problem — the bees just up and leaving. We get enough honey for the family — we eat lots of it — but it is a small-scale operation.

Next winter, I have promised myself that I would read all my back issues of Beekeeper's Journal so that I can become a bit more knowledgeable.