Noob looking for resources on Organic Bee Keeping

[Casi]

Hi All,

New here and was just talking to my friend about his apple orchard in Michigan that was fruitless this year do to lack of bee pollination. So I got to thinking and thought I might need a new hobby so why not bee keeping. Was interested in learning more about it and was curious if there are some good online resources to explore before I head out and buy some boxes.

Additionally I heard that some people get grants from the government to set up hives, is this true?

Any help would be great, and if there is already a thread with all this info please just post below and I am happy to read up there.

Casi

[Michael Bush]

The most extensive online resource for treatment free beekeeping is probably my site:

bushfarms.com

There is also a lot here:

beeuntoothers.com

And there is an organicbeekeepers list on Yahoo:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Organicbeekeepers

A lot of good info here:
http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/

There are a lot of people on this forum who don't treat and are happy to help.

[Veggiebee]

I would second Bushfarms.com. Also in book form if you prefer.  All you need to keep bees, whether you are just starting or a few years in and experimenting with queen rearing and different equipment, etc.

The Idiots Guide to Beekeeping is also a good how to for a beginner.

[jayj200]

the  library here

http://bees.library.cornell.edu/b/bees/browse.html