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agrojournalism, beekeeping, freelance journalist, getting published, publishing, writing for magazines, writing life
I started beekeeping school in January.
My dad couldn’t believe it. When I was 10, my sister and I were playing in the street in front of the house and I thought I heard a bee. I ran. I fell. The town had just resurfaced the road and hadn’t repaved yet, so I had loose gravel stuck in both knees, a hand, an elbow, and my chin. I couldn’t move. My dad had to carry me into the house and clean and bandage the wounds.
When I went to school the next day everyone asked what happened.
“I heard a bee.”
“A bee did this to you?!”
“No, I fell.” I fell running from the phantom bee. Because I’m afraid of bees. That’s why my dad couldn’t believe I enrolled in beekeeping school.
Our friend visited last summer and told us about his father’s bees and it sounded fascinating. Then last fall I saw an announcement for beekeeping school. Chatham County Beekeeping School is only offered every other year. The 2017 class was to be held at the new Chatham County Agricultural & Conference Center, less than 2 miles from home. The school notoriously fills up and turns people away, so I figured I’d go if I got a seat.
Last night of the 2017 Chatham County Beekeeping School
I was hesitant to keep bees because I had never been stung. What if I was allergic? Then a conversation with a friend reassured me: There’s a simple allergy test. So on my next doctor visit I had the test: Negative. Now I could keep bees care-free, right?
For the past two months I’ve spent every Monday night at school. One of the classes was dedicated to preventing and treating stings. A physician led the session and explained that even if you test negative for a honey bee allergy today, you could become allergic tomorrow. Just like any allergy. He recommends keeping a pack of EpiPens® (or generic equivalent) at home “just in case.” Not so care-free!
See the bee’s pollen baskets full of pollen? (Look at the legs of the center bee.)
Fun fact about beekeeping in North Carolina: We have more beekeepers than any other state.
Building bee hive frames!
At one of the classes we built frames and hive bodies. Then I ‘won’ the raffle to buy some equipment so now I have one deep and one medium. I’m gathering the rest of the supplies in the coming weeks. Due to professional and personal commitments (prepping my freelance journalism guide for release soon, and a vacation!), I’m postponing starting hives until June. Until then I plan to pitch a few articles related to beekeeping, follow my mentor (a local beekeeper who resides only 6 miles from me), attend local beekeeping chapter meetings, and try not to run when I hear a bee.
For those who focus on agrojournalism like myself, here are a few magazines that produce editorial on beekeeping (links go directly to writers guidelines, if available):
Countryside Network (Multiple magazines on homesteading, beekeeping, and related topics.)
Write Naked 
Wonderful story! Happy beekeeping!
Thanks, Beth!
Looking forward to following the buzz on your beekeeping!
T’s Bees: Coming Soon! Bee ready.
OK, you’re putting the “well” in the well-rounded! Sounds so cool. I’m forever afraid of bees. Not enough to get a panic attack at the sight, but enough to do anything to avoid getting stuck. I blame Macaluay Culkin. My Girl, anyone? 🙂
Thanks, Pinar! I was surprised how calm I was when I went to a field day inspection. I stood by the hive and observed without any gear. Other newbies held the frames without any equipment, and I almost did too! If someone would have nudged me, I would have done it! It’s amazing how much the fear subsides when you know more about them. But, yes, if all you’re thinking of is the MY GIRL scene you would probably be too anxious!
Last week I was in Tennessee and had the good fortune to visit a beekeeper with 175 hives. He’s been beekeeping for 40 years. He doesn’t use any gear when opening the hives. Bees are fascinating, and you’ll get the insider’s view — and maybe the inspiration for a future story. 🙂
WOW! How does he manage to inspect all those hives?! Must have helpers. Since he’s been keeping bees for so long he has witnessed firsthand how the climate and other factors have affected bees. I’m prepping my supplies this week and plan to start with two hives late next month or in June. 🐝🙂
Yes, he said that two years ago 72 percent of the keepers in TN lost most or all of their bees. He believes it is due to pesticides like neonicotinoids.
Good luck with your first hives! Keep us posted with updates on how it’s going.
Wow. Yes, I’ll post updates. I’m prepping the hive boxes and frames this week. 🙂
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