Depending on your location you may be lucky enough to find training, all the standard Dadant hive education you can find is totally in contrast to warre.
Sort of like going to an agricultural college vs taking a permaculture design course.
jacque greenleaf
volunteer
Joined: Jan 21, 2009
Posts: 449
Location: Underwood, WA (USDA zone 7, Sunset zone 3) - in the Columbia Gorge highlands
Joined: Dec 06, 2011
Posts: 80
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
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I recommend looking at different approaches with an open mind, and selecting what suits your goals, time constraints, etc.
There's tons of information on beekeeping with standard Langstroth hives. For more 'natural' approaches, check out these:
I second finding a mentor, the older and crustier the better. I'd recommend avoiding anyone that does migratory beekeeping, look for a small beekeeper that sells honey at the local farmers markets and such.
For a technical text the bible for years has been the The ABC and Xyz of Bee Culture by Roger Morse. Out of print but worth tracking down.
Come and stay at Embercombe in Devon for an inspiring weekend learning about 'natural beekeeping' in top-bar hives - a bee friendly way to have bees in your garden with the possibility of your own honey harvest, but without the expense and complications associated with commercial beekeeping equipment. Facilitated by Embercombe's own beekeepers Tim Hall and Jessie Watson Brown. The course is hands-on and as experiential as the weather allows.
see www.embercombe.co.uk/bees
Rick Larson
Joined: Aug 04, 2012
Posts: 210
Location: Manitowoc WI USA Zone 5
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One way is to find an older long experienced beekeeper that wants to retire from the craft. Buying his equipment is important, but if you could spend a year or so with the beekeeper, that would be priceless.
I have read a lot of books, I don't know if there is a bad book either. The best book I read was "50 years amongst the Bees", right now I am picking my way through "Beekeeping for Profit and Pleasure". This is my second summer with girls and putting the book knowledge to actual experience is very rewarding.
Here is a very Good Queen:
Soaking up information.
David Heaf
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Joined: Jan 14, 2013
Posts: 24
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Lissa Lane wrote:Anyone have recommendations for good books or courses on beekeeping? Bonus points if the courses are in the PNW. Thanks!
A good beginner's book is 'Bees and Honey from Flower to Jar' by Michael Weiler (Floris Books, 2006)
David Heaf
Joshua Chambers
Joined: Feb 03, 2010
Posts: 61
Location: the state of jefferson - zone 7
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I really enjoyed the short book by P. J. Chandler called "The Barefoot Beekeeper."
Im aware this is an old thread but for those who come to read it I will add my favorites;
Books which helped me are
Top-bar Beekeeping by Les Crowder (/practical stuff great hive maintenance illustartions)
The Barefoot Beekeepr by Phil Candler (phylosophy on top bar beekeeping)
The Buzz About Bees by Jurgen Tautz (up to date bee biology)
You can also find lots of info on biobees.com and beesource.com (both forums)
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