Newbee in Maryland

[asciibaron]

I live in Millersville, MD and am about to start my journey in the world of beekeeping.  In 2006 while on a family vacation we stopped at Draper's Super Bee Apiary in PA for a tour and some honey.  I walked out with a book produced by Penn State entitled "Beginning Beekeeping" and spent the remainder of the vacation engrossed studying the contents.

Last year I joined the local bee club, Anne Arundel Beekeepers Association, but was unable to take their short course in beekeeping.  I really wanted to get some hands on before jumping in like I do most things.  I am currently in the 2008 short course and am gearing up to have a single hive - would like 2, but the CFO put her foot down.

The plan is to have 2 deep hive bodies and a honey super on the side if needed - my goal for this year is to keep the hive strong and healthy so they can survive the winter.  Next year I'll add a second hive and hopfully be able to draw some honey off the first hive.  Beekeeping is something I've always seen myself doing since I was a kid, and now it is becoming a reality. 

-Steve in Maryland

[buzzbee]

Welcome Steve,
This is our third year and haven't regretted it one minute.After the first year,my wife decided she needed an observation hive.(We purchased that and many of  our supplies from Drapers)!!

[Cindi]

Steve, welcome to our forum.  You have found THE place to continue on with your studying, this is a place where you can ask all the questions you want, tell us of your experiences and have a blast learning more about the honeybees.  You are onto a good start with the courses that you have been taking and your actions.  Just wait until you get your bees, you are going to fall in love with this world of the bees, you will be held under their spell, as we all are.  It is a fascinating world inside those colonies, you have discovered this, you will discover more and more, enjoy your stay here, again, ask all your questions, they will be answered.  Have a wonderful and a truly great day, with so many more to come.  Cindi

[indypartridge]

Welcome Steve!

Glad to see that you are already connected with a local bee club. Nothing beats having a few mentors to help you get started. Maryland is a good beekeeping State. Last summer I met Bill & Nancy Troup who are Maryland Master Beekeepers, he's a State Apiary Inspector, and they even have an AFB-sniffing dog! I'm envious of Maryland's cool beekeeping license plate:
http://www.licensepl8s.com/mdimages/BEE.jpg
I looked into trying to get one here in Indiana, but our State requirements make it nearly impossible.