I am thinking about farming honey bees….I dont know a thing about it, does anyone have any experience ?
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As early as 1912, exhibits were already being mounted at the Old State House. In its 1912-1913 Yearbook, the Arkansas Federation of Women’s Clubs reported: "The Museum has been beautifully decorated and furnished and a collection of interesting and historical relics placed, among which are a number of oil portraits of men who helped make our state what it is today."
The "Museum Room" was located in the Riverfront Room, the northernmost space on the first floor’s central corridor. The displays were primarily the responsibility of the Arkansas Pioneer Association. In 1915, however, the room was given to the Medical Department as a chemistry laboratory. When the Pioneers refused to remove their vault, medical students broke into it and dosed the manuscripts with "bookworm poison." Dr. Morgan Smith, the Dean of the Medical Department, compensated the Pioneers for their losses and even signed up as a member.
On July 7, 1919, the Pioneers held a gala on the Old State House grounds to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Arkansas becoming a territory. At that occasion, one of the speakers advocated improving the Old State House grounds so they might serve as a de facto park for downtown Little Rock. The Pioneers took on the project, selling ice cream and soft drinks on the lawn during warm weather to raise funds for the beautification of the grounds.
The following year, the Pioneers held a Fourth of July celebration on the lawn. Throughout the 1920s, they continued to stage events to attract the public to the Old State House. These included fiddlers’ contests, spelling bees, shape-note singing schools, and birthday parties for noted figures in Arkansas history.
Initially, the Arkansas Pioneer Association Room sported a highly eclectic range of objects. Over time, they pared it down to bring it into line with the other Period Rooms. Today, it represents a library in the home of a prosperous family in the 1840s or 1850s. Family members could take care of business at the desk, but they would also gather in more casual groups as well. Reading, sewing, and playing music and games were all favorite pastimes—as the books, sewing table, melodeon, and game table illustrate.
Question by friskygimp: I am thinking about farming honey bees….I dont know a thing about it, does anyone have any experience ?
I live in charlotte nc
i am mainly interested in farming enough for myself not anything huge production.
have any good resources or tips? Thanks!
Part of the reason I want to do it is because of CCD. With all of the environmental problems we NEED bees.
Thanks for all the info!!
Can you help? Leave your own answer in the comments!
7 Responses to I am thinking about farming honey bees….I dont know a thing about it, does anyone have any experience ?
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Check out the library. They have some pretty good general books. Also search sites on the computer. I’ve found a lot of info there. I have a couple supers but want to build more. Be wary of buying used equipment. Some diseases stay in the supers. There are several grades of hives the premium ones are a lot more expensive than the cheap ones. The only difference is the expensive ones are built out of knot free wood. You can find plans a lot of books. Mother Earth News has a lot of good info in back issues.
spudfarmer
January 20, 2013 at 1:56 pm
I’ve raised honey bees in the past. It can be very a rewarding experience if you are just looking for honey for your family and a few friends. Don’t look to make a lot of money unless you go into bee raising big time. This article should give you enough information to get started or make you decide not to. Good luck. I encourage you to try this project.
http://www.landscape-america.com/landscapes/bees/raising_bees.html
john h
January 20, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Some universities have distance education courses on apiculture (i.e. bee keeping)
Devil'sadvocate
January 20, 2013 at 3:06 pm
check with your local extension agent they have a lot of info and might be able to help you find what you need and most of it is free
hill bill y
January 20, 2013 at 3:39 pm
Best authorites on beekeeping:
Dadant & Co http://www.dadant.com
A. I. Root & Co -623 W. Liberty St., Medina, OH 44256
Beeculture magazine at http://www.beeculture.com
Peter T
January 20, 2013 at 4:36 pm
my bee guy has been raising bees for 30 yrs in ca. he told me the other day a disease has killed most of his hives. he had about 100 & is down to 3. also, the bees in southern ca are changing the time of yr they swarm, it used to be early spring, now it is august for the past few yrs. he also said the temperment of the bees was changing from easy to handle, to not easy & now back again….who knows why….
i think doing bees is a tricky, sensitive hobby….there are several good universities in charlotte — contact the ag depts / ag extension there for info….
lauren s
January 20, 2013 at 4:36 pm
If you have a need for bees then setting up your own hives is a worthy thing. The wave of hive die offs called colony collapse disorder is causing quite a problem. Find a bee keeper and ask to give them free labor to be taught the ropes. But I would be wary about putting out any hard money with the huge problems right now industry wide. A requirement would be to read up on CCD before you go there. It is a real heart breaker.
mike453683
January 20, 2013 at 4:45 pm