Several years ago, Debbie and I were visiting friends and noticed several beehives on their property.  Their children were passionate about beekeeping, and really enjoyed the process of caring for the bees, as well as harvesting and sharing the honey.  Inspired by this, we began researching beekeeping and found a two-day basic beekeeping course offered by Heritage Honeybee in Sullivan, WI. This thorough course, taught by Tim Wilbanks, a fifth-generation beekeeper, covered bee biology, hive set up and care, honey harvesting, and pest management.  It was free of charge and provided invaluable knowledge for beginner beekeepers.  

While setting up and managing the hives initially felt intimidating, we quickly found that there were many resources available to support people willing to learn.  We recommend joining your local beekeeping club. For us that was the Walworth County Beekeepers Association.  Walworth County Beekeepers Association There you will find a great mix of experience, training, and a willingness by members to mentor new beekeepers.  With the help of our initial beekeeping class, club involvement, and hands on experience, we continue to see improved results in our honey harvest and the health of our colonies.