When I was a teenager (too many years ago) I helped a local beekeeper during the summer for a couple of years. I always thought it was fascinating, and recently I've really been thinking about getting a hive simply for the pleasure of having it. My plan is to do some research, learning, and hopefully work with a local keeper this year, and then if I decide to proceed get a hive next spring.
I recently had an idea, and wanted some input from folks with a bit more experience under their belt. I have a 10-year old son - who is quickly approaching his teenage years, and views his Dad's wallet as his own personal ATM. I was wondering (assuming I get a hive, and after a year or two of experience) if this is something my son could do, and make a few extra dollars. Of course, I would have to help and closely supervise, but I would love for him to have his "own" source of income, that he was responsible for.
:?: So I guess my questions are:
1 - is it likely that 1 or 2 hives could produce enough honey, to pay for their upkeep and supplies, and have some money left over? I am thinking I would turn my hive over to my son, and then I would have him use his “honey money†to pay for on going expenses, and he could keep whatever was left over.
2- could a 12 year old (with my help and supervision) maintain a couple of hives?
I would love to be able to provide my son with his own way of earning money, that he could learn from, develop a good work ethic, and have fun with.. I think beekeeping might do the trick.
Thoughts and comments welcome
Thanks
My 9 year old son asked a local commercial producer last night if he was old enough to take care of a hive. The commercial producers answer was, "When I was 12 years old I was handling 20 hives, and that was my first year of beekeeping."
It pleased my son to hear this as he wants his own hive in spring 2007.
I started with 1 swarm and eventually built up to 25 to 30 colonys. I had help from an uncle that was a commercial beek, and to keep expenses down I sold chunk honey and sections. I bought my first car with honey money. Years later, I realized my folks did most of the work. They hauled me and my bees all over southern California, at all hours of the day and night, and helped me sell my honey. I would guess it might be the same for you.
It's a much different world now. Fuel prices, dissappearing forage, mites. Poeple were not so quick to litigate, and insect bites or stings were just part of life. I would still do it, but expect much of the money to continue to come from your wallet.
i would think yes....but......take him to a bee keeper or someplace where he can be around bees first. it would be a shame to invest in something and find that he was scared or not interested. i ran into this to many times with kids and horses. parents thought buying a horse was a fine idea. kid couldn't have cared less. horse sat unused and in the care of parents.
good idea though. if bees aren't the thing, you can find some way for him to earn money before he turns your pockets out! :D
Kathyp, I did just that. I jumped in and got bees last year. I was scared stiff, practically shivering. But, it was just too facinating!!! I got over it and now have 5 hives.
Did you read that article about a kid who became a registered beekeeper at age 6? Clearly youths CAN manage hives. I started at 13. As for making money...I've made about -$700. That's between extractor, hives, gear, basic materials, bottles, packages, queens and such. It's probably another $200 if you add in books and learning materials. Basicly, I bought everything with graduation money, 2 birthdays and christmas. Yes, I'd been saving up for a while. Besides, the goal of a hobbyist isn't to make money,so much as just enjoy beekeeping.
I started when I was 11. Luckily I had a 86 year-old mentor to help me every step of the way. I also had a father who had experience as a beekeeper when a child as his grandfather kept bees. His grandfather's family had kept bees for generations. So understanding was already there. I can't really say how far back beekeeping has been in the family but even pictures of that part of the family from the mid-1800's show beehives in the back ground.
I had bees, my older brother had pigeons so things balanced out--now we both have both.
What do you do with the pigeons?
Long idstance racing. 300-1000 miles. A pigeon can fly over 60 mph and averages 45-50 depending on the length of the race. On the longer distances they even stop off for a short nap and that nap reduces the overall average speed which is why it is 45-50 mph instead of 60 mph.
Pigeons are kind of the bees of the bird world--there are a lot of similarities in there actions and motivations. Both live in colonies, so to speak.
Newbie two cents
I am betting that beekeeping is going to become more profitable and needful. As fuel prices continue to go up the farther things are transported the more that cost is going to reflected in the price. Walmart is starting to feel that burden right now. Seems that it follows that local honey won't have to worry about cheap imports undercutting. Just for gasping effect, there is a report being released that says USA will have to spend a trillion dollars a year for twenty years to move off of oil to some other liquid fuel.
My boys each have a hive and go and watch them everyday. We are getting things ready for next year nucs already.
I started beekeeping this year, with my 11 yr old son. He thinks it's awsome, especially when he gets some capped honey in the burr comb we remove ! The beeks at the nearest beekeeping club tell me that a hive should produce enough $ to maintain it, barring any disasters.
My two cents worth...I think its awesome that you want to help your son develop a work ethic and skill as a beekeeper! I often think there should be a license people should get before they are allowed to have children...a strong work ethic is a lifelong gift you can give to your son, helping him develop skill in beekeeping will develop character, and the time you spend together will make him a better man. I strongly believe in mentors and have always had strong role models.
Beekeeping can be very profitable. Beekeepers are in short demand, and the numerous products from wax, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, pollination contracts could be very profitable as a side venture for your son. Good on you!
To your original question, can you make enough honey to sell? Where are you located? It makes a huge difference in how much surplus honey you can expect. 1 or 2 hives here in north Texas wouldn't produce enough to be profitable. In other places, it could yield several hundred pounds.
Quote from: rkensparcI would love to be able to provide my son with his own way of earning money, that he could learn from, develop a good work ethic, and have fun with.. I think beekeeping might do the trick.
Beekeeping is good for that. You work, you earn and you must do work for selling. You see your results with eyes.
You must prepare things next year and for future. If You pass you necessary works you get soon negative feedback. It teaches too when things do not go as they should.
I started at 15, definetely give it a shot if you and your son have an interest in bees. The money isn't always too constant (I'm still in the red :) ) I was so nervous first time I worked my bees...it was December and I was sweating like a glass of iced tea in July. I don't think they liked that. But it will teach him a bit of budgeting skills. And stings build character!! Or so my greatuncle says. :D
Quoteis it likely that 1 or 2 hives could produce enough honey, to pay for their upkeep and supplies, and have some money left over?
QuoteI would love to be able to provide my son with his own way of earning money, that he could learn from, develop a good work ethic, and have fun with.. I think beekeeping might do the trick.
That sounds like a great idea. I expect to do something like that when my (homeschooled) kids get a little older.
With a little care the income from selling honey from 1 or 2 hives should more than cover basic upkeep costs, bottles, etc. That does not include the start-up costs for things like the hive equipment, extractor, etc. That may take years to recoup. :)
I will probably saddle my kids with a very small 'equipment rental fee', or maybe take a tiny percentage of the profits, so that they understand about capital investment. But the knowledge they will gain by caring for the bees, extracting, bottling, labeling, and marketing the honey, etc. will be well worth my investment. :)