A question that is often asked is:  "How and when to I get started in keeping bees?"

Questions such as this are very encouraging to me.  My first response is anytime is a good time to begin learning about honey bees.  Books about beekeeping are easy to find and if you like the computer format, my Beekeeping 101, 201, and 301 is a complete how to do it -- get started course as well as what to do after the first year and beyond.  A link for a special discount on this cd, click here.

In addition, you can easily google the topic "beekeeping" to find a vast array of beekeeping sites. Many clubs across the U.S. often have beginning beekeeping schools during the early spring to help people  learn more about beekeeping.  I would recommend that you find out as much as you can about local bee organizations.  Every state has a beekeeping organization.  They can lead you to local associations or associations close to you.  You can also check with your state department of agriculture for information about beekeeping.

I highly recommend that you subscribe to one of the major beekeeping magazines:

The American Bee Journal or Bee Culture Magazine.  Both magazines offer a club discount for subscribers.

American Bee Journal =    www.dadant.com  or ABJ@dadant.com

Bee Culture Magazine =    www.beeculture.com or Dawn@beeculture.com

Individuals usually begin keeping bees in the spring when packages of bees are available from those areas with warm short winters.  Equipment can be purchased much earlier and put together before bees are available.  The above magazines carry many ads for those selling bees or equipment.  However, knowledge is power and having a good understanding of what beekeeping is almost as important as having some bees.   Individuals with knowledge can understand the stresses and problems honey bees face in the current state of keeping bees.  If you are new to beekeeping, you will surely run across someone who will refer to the "good old days."   The good old days are long gone and the modern beekeeper must have a knowledge of what to do and when to do it, to keep bees alive and then even if everything is humanly done to manage the bees in the recommended way, the bees are still at risk of dying.