Keeping Bees Part 2
Keeping Bees Part 2. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.
In this day and age where more and more people are looking into doing things in a more natural way, beekeeping is seeing a lot of interest. So much so that Hank Will, Editor of Grit Magazine has just released a special edition called the Guide to Backyard Bees and Honey. But he says you can get a lot more from bees than just honey.
WILL: You often just sort of focus on the honey but the honeycomb itself is kind of an edible product that would also contain pollen and some other nice proteins. You can extract the honey and then you are left with wax and you can make great things with the wax and then there are other, I would call them minor byproducts. The propolis and the royal jelly that folks utilize for various health and/or cosmetic purposes.
In fact there is almost nothing that goes to waste in the way of products and byproducts. And Will says that getting started is very easy.
WILL: You know it’s really remarkably simple. I think the key is probably just a strong desire and a willingness to at least educate yourself to some extent and I think you can do that by reading. But I think it’s even more helpful to connect with somebody who’s an experienced beekeeper, or at least a more experienced beekeeper. There are a number of beekeeping organizations in your area or region.
At least in my case when I get into a hobby it tends be one where my initial investment can be somewhat prohibitive but not so in beekeeping.
WILL: I think starter kits that would include everything you need except for the bees can run you right around $350. But you can certainly make a top bar hive easily enough. I think the bees shipped were right around $80. It’s not nothing but compared to a country club membership it’s pretty inexpensive.
In addition within the first year you can begin harvesting some of the honey to sell if you wish to help defray those costs. Plus Will says there is a huge hidden bonus to keeping a hive on your property.
WILL: I think the sort of hidden value that anybody who has any fruit trees or grows a vegetable garden or whatnot will experience is that the pollination rates will really skyrocket. And that adds value whether you sell the fruit or you just utilize it for your own consumption.
The magazine is called the Guide to Backyard Bees and Honey and is part of the Grit Country Skills Series. It is available at your local bookstore or farm supply house. Even if you have no desire to keep bees yourself it is an interesting and fascinating guide to bees and bee products.
That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.
