Beekeeping: Try Before You Buy

Reader Contribution by Gretchen Anderson
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I love to research before I buy. I read the reviews on Amazon. I ask friends for their opinions. I taste the frozen yogurt before I commit. So, when I found out Idaho’s capital city has a active beekeeping club that will mentor and even connect you to beekeepers who will let you “try before you buy,” I was sold!

Bee Benefits

I had wanted bees for many years, for the pollination benefits, the raw honey and the wonderful wax. As a gardener, I knew about the Colony Collapse Disorder that is killing bees at an alarming rate. I figured the more people who can successfully keep bees, the better, for the sake of everyone’s environment. I also knew I needed to school myself before jumping in, feet first. I attended a bee keeping class offered by community education in Boise and I read everything I could find on raising bees.

Rent-a-Bee

During the class, the presenters mentioned how some members of the Treasure Valley Beekeepers Club had an abundant number of hives and some of them (on their own—and not affiliated with the club) had taken to renting out hives during the growing season. This sounded great! Like at the yogurt shop, I could try—before I buy! 

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