How to Train to be a Beekeeper
Beekeeping has made the transition from being just a backyard hobby to a billion-dollar food industry that is taken very seriously by professional business owners. But honeybees also play a vital role in our environment by pollinating our food crops, thereby putting food on our table.
But how does one get into the beekeeping business, or at least, become a proficient amateur beekeeper?. Is there a school for beekeepers? Is there a diploma course that can be studied?.Whether you’re looking at starting a serious honey producing business, or keeping bees purely as a relaxing and rewarding hobby, you will need to learn the basics of organic beekeeping.
A great deal of beekeeping knowledge is handed down in families from father to son (or daughter), or is gradually learned by taking up beekeeping as a hobby before developing it into a more serious business. There are also beekeeping associations that run volunteer programs to teach novice beekeepers the intricacies as well as the basics of this fascinating pastime.
The general decline of honeybees all over the world due to global warming & widespread chemical crop management systems is motivating more and more people to take up amateur beekeeping, which may eventually evolve into something more serious for the individual, and finally result in a fully fledged and thriving business.
But before the beekeeper can turn from fledgling keeper to successful commercial honey producer, there is a vast amount of knowledge to be learned about keeping bees.
For example, there are skills involved in keeping hives healthy. Beehives need to be kept free of disease if the bees are to thrive and survive changing climate conditions. The health of the queen bee also needs to be checked regularly.
In the rainy season and during harsh winter months, beehives need to be waterproof and there should always be a source of nectar nearby, even if supplementary feeding needs to be provided.
Basically, anyone with little or absolutely no knowledge of keeping bees can build a hive and become a beekeeper. This is obviously not advisable as beekeeping involves specialized knowledge.
The best way for the amateur beekeeper to gain experience is to find a mentor who is willing to impart their knowledge and advice, or seek advice and training materials from the nearest apiculture association or organization.
Some beekeeping institutes offer certified courses which teach novice beekeepers about honey, pollen and wax, as well as the following:
• How to set up a beehive
• How to choose the right location for an apiary
• Learning to use beekeeping equipment
• Learning about the life cycle of the bee
• Learning organic pest and disease management techniques
Whether you intend to practice beekeeping as a hobby or plan a commercial honey producing business, it is advisable to get as much training and information as you can before you begin.
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