Beekeepers are an important part of helping preserve the beekeeping industry and keeping delicious honey on supermarket shelves. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that being a beekeeper can net you a salary of between $35,000 and $50,000 a year.
In order to become a beekeeper, you’ll first need to learn the ins and outs of running a hive. Many times this involves taking a beekeeping course so that you know how to handle caring for your bees properly.
However, there’s a little more to it than just that. This guide walks you through how to become a beekeeper in six simple steps.
Step One: Look Into Local Regulations
The first step to becoming a beekeeper is to read up on any local regulations surrounding the career. Because beekeeping is a form of agriculture, there are often some important laws about taxes and how you conduct your operations to be aware of.
What’s more, these laws change depending on where you live. Some countries, such as New Zealand, tend to be a bit more strict on beekeeping regulations. On the other hand, the US has some areas which are a bit more lax about beekeeping regulations.
Before you get started, make sure to do your research. Look into what kinds of regulations you’ll be expected to adhere to. This way, you can properly prepare yourself and make any necessary preliminary arrangements.
Step Two: Enroll in a Beekeeping Course
Beekeeping isn’t something that you can jump into without any preparation. Bees are animals, and they require special care in order to survive. What’s more, when bees aren’t properly cared for, they won’t produce honey. So, making sure you know how to handle the bees is an important first step.
Beekeeping courses can last anywhere from 20 hours to fifteen months or more. What’s more, many beekeeping courses have advanced programs that you can take once you complete the initial beginner levels.
In the US, you can take courses through state universities that will prepare you for becoming a beekeeper.
Step Three: Network
Once you’ve enrolled in a course, it’s time to connect with other beekeepers. Connecting with a community of beekeepers can help you expand your skills and can serve as a support network if you need advice or assistance with your bees.
On top of that, having a strong network makes it easier for you to find an apprenticeship once you complete your coursework. Although apprenticeships aren’t always required, they’re good steps for helping you master your new trade.
Step Four: Find a Place for Your Hive
The next step will be to find a place to keep your hive. Beehives generally need:
- A good amount of sunlight
- A wind barrier
- A nearby water source
- Enough flowers nearby as a food source
- Dry ground underneath them
- To be far away from heavy foot traffic
You’ll also want to make sure that your hive isn’t too close to any other hives. This can cause other issues, and make it tough for your hive to thrive.
Step Five: Order Your Equipment
After you’ve identified a suitable place for your beehive, it’s time to order your beekeeping equipment. This piece can get expensive, so make sure you’ve got a sufficient lump sum to invest into starting your hive.
To start as a beekeeper, you’ll need:
- A beehive
- A smoker
- A bee suit
- A queen catcher
- Gloves
- Boots
- A hive tool
- A bee brush
- A feeder
- A capping scratcher
Keep in mind that you may also need to purchase multiple hives. When hives start to grow, you’ll eventually need to divide them to avoid disease, swarms, and other issues.
Step Six: Start Your Hive
With your equipment in hand and your new certification proudly displayed on your wall, it’s time for you to actually start your hive. You’ll need to implement the knowledge you gained during your coursework in order to help your bee colony survive and thrive.
Remember, having that network of fellow beekeepers is key here. It’s what will ultimately help you have the support yu need when unexpected events occur that could affect your hive.
From there, it’s only a matter of farming your honey and selling it, whether that’s in local farmer’s markets or to larger corporations through partnerships. How you choose to go about this piece is up to you, and can change as you grow your bee farm.
Final Thoughts
In general, if you want to learn how to become a beekeeper, your first step should be to look into local regulations and enroll in a beekeeping course. Once you complete your coursework, you can choose to do an apprenticeship or simply launch into beekeeping on your own.
Either way, beekeeping is a career that can help you gain new skills and give back to the environment. Plus, your shelves will be stocked with tasty honey for weeks to come!
With that in mind, it’s time to find the perfect beekeeping course and enroll. I’m sure you’ll be on the fast track to a career that’s a buzzing success!