The Bee Project

So, I am interested in Bees. Previously, I attended a Colonial Beekeepers training session and I learned a lot, but it was not the right time to start hives for me. I was renting at the time in a more suburban location so it was also not the right place.

So, earlier this year, I want to say in February or March I joined Hives for Heroes. While I certainly do not consider myself a hero, as a veteran, I appreciated that this program matches “Newbees” up with mentors in their local community.

I met with my mentor Julie in June or July and we conducted 3 or 4 hive inspections. Each inspection was coupled with homework, which helped me learn about the following:

• The different types of bees and the roles they fill
• Different types of hives, tools, and materials
• Necessary preparations for Virginia winters
• Some of the practical considerations for managing hives

With the homework complete, we were able add valuable reinforcement during these inspections.

As part of the Hives to Heroes program:

Upon successful completion of their first year as a protege in the Hives for Heroes program, Newbees receive a hive split or swarm from their mentor. ¹ This provides them with the opportunity to start their own beekeeping journey independently.

So, my homework over the winter is to plan out my hives, where they will be placed. What tools and equipment I intend to buy, and prepare for my first two hives. I will be posting more about my beekeeping journey to this blog. If you only want to read the beekeeping stuff I added a category for the Bee Project so you will be able to sort them out among my other blog posts.

Join me as I start my beekeeping journey! Thanks Julie for getting me off to a great start. 🙂