I need a mentor

[Charles Wright]

I'm 50 years old, and just getting into beekeeping. I love all animals and bees absolutely facinate me. I'll get my first 2 nucs this spring. I've got several thousand I can invest in the next year. I would love to subsidize my retirement with beekeeping.
I want to do this right and minimize my mistakes. Therefore, I need a mentor. I'm in a beekeeping club, but Im not getting much communication. I want to see if maybe I can find a compatible mentor through here.  Is there anyone in central Ga, or that knows someone in central Ga that would let me come and help out and learn some things?
Thanks ahead of time. And I appreciate the helpful information I've received so far.

[BeeMaster2]

Charles,
We have several members in central Georgia. Maybe one of them will answer. If not,
BeeMaster can bee your mentor. Ask your questions and post pictures of what you need answers to and we will gladly answer your questions.
Jim Altmiller

[Charles Wright]

Sounds good. I've been reading the threads, and no doubt there is a lot of knowledge here.  Thanks.

[van from Arkansas]

Welcome Mr. Charles, consider package bees from Mountain Sweet Honey located in Georgia.  The biggest package bee supplier East of Mississippi.  Ray Civits sells gentle healthy bees, I purchased sometimes for genetic diversity and the bees are worthy.  You can place orders now for the best delivery dates or wait until next year but the longer you wait, the more likely the best shipping dates, like mid March will be sold out.

I live in North Arkansas, just a Tennessee away.  Have a camera, iPhone ready and post pics of issues with the bees max size, 599 X 599.  Use a resizing app to reduce the image and posting pics is easy.  There are fellas, and ladies, on this forum that can answer questions if not, the answer is not known.

Start with at least 2 hives so there is a basis to compare.  Beekeeping is a totally cool hobby to me.  However BeeMaster has hobbyist to commercial beeks keeping bees in every conceivable condition from the USA to the other side of this planet in Australia.

Cheers

[Bob Wilson]

Charles.
I am an hour and a half away. Too far to check on your hives when you finally get them. You really need someone local, and someone with more experience than me (2nd year).
However, I share your middle Georgia environment and climate and if you have questions, you can personal message me with the button at the top of your screen.
Also, the seasoned beeks here are very good at helping.

[The15thMember]

There are fellas, and ladies, on this forum that can answer questions if not, the answer is not known.  BeeMaster has hobbyist to commercial beeks keeping bees in every conceivable condition from the USA to the other side of this planet in Australia.

Also, the seasoned beeks here are very good at helping.

I heartily second these statements.  I have never had a mentor, and thanks to this forum I have never found myself lacking for help and support.  While working hands on with someone of course has it benefits, I think that the forum has the great advantage of being able to hear multiple points of view and differing opinions and being able to pick the right answer for you.   

[Bob Wilson]

15Member.
I have also thought that. I know guys who have a single mentor, who are locked in to doing things only that one way. I think they feel indebted to following their mentor's advice.

[Acebird]

Welcome Charles.  If your goal is to support your income then you should pay attention more to beekeepers that are doing the same.  This is not my goal so take my posts with a grain of salt.

[Nock]

Mine has been this site a couple books and couple people on YouTube. Like I a lot of things there will be some hard times starting out but that?s how we learn. You have two good places to get bees in state.

[crmauch]

Of course you could just put up Swarm Traps and capture your bees for free. Heck it only took me 5 years to catch a hive.  .  I do think I would have been more successful if I could have found any beekeeper willing to sell me a section of bee comb.

[Absinthe]

I'm 50 years old, and just getting into beekeeping. I love all animals and bees absolutely facinate me. I'll get my first 2 nucs this spring. I've got several thousand I can invest in the next year. I would love to subsidize my retirement with beekeeping.
I want to do this right and minimize my mistakes. Therefore, I need a mentor. I'm in a beekeeping club, but Im not getting much communication. I want to see if maybe I can find a compatible mentor through here.  Is there anyone in central Ga, or that knows someone in central Ga that would let me come and help out and learn some things?
Thanks ahead of time. And I appreciate the helpful information I've received so far.

I will sound bitter when I say this, but please take it as opinion and anecdotal and not as cynical as it sounds in my own ears when I say it.
I would love to benefit from an actual local present physical mentor. Unfortunately, it would appear that they are only available to the very young, or females of any age.

That said, continue trying to find one. Start with your local/county/state association. Join either or both and go to their meetings and meet as many people as you can. You will learn plenty, and absorb lots from those around you. You will learn so much about your local area, your actual seasons, and the who's whom of your local experts and celebrities. You may also meet the queen breeders and super producers. Here you may luck into the opportunity to offer your time in exchange for experience. There will be a few times through the year when the extra pair of hands no matter how inexperienced is welcome, and someone willing and enthusiastic will be a welcome addition. This can get you to an er sats  apprentice situation which is pretty close to a mentee.

That's my advice based on experience and observation. It is freely given and worth every bit as much.

[Ben Framed]

Welcome Charles, I see things in the view of Bob Wilson and The15Member. I have a neighbor (as the crow flies) lol, that is super nice, and quite famous to some on youtube. I do not bother him as I know he is busy as a bee himself. I do enjoy his videos and if I have a question he almost always answers me in the comment section. THIS site has helped me tremendously. I have a mentor here from The Far North, (TheHoneyPump, Canada, Professional Beekeeping experience) and another mentor form the Far South and other side of the world (Oldbeavo, Australia, another professional beekeeper, migatory), and mentors from everywhere in between! We have Scientist (Van From Arkansas, AI/II insemination of queens). Inventors (Robo "The Robo Vac") I could go on and on about our members and the diversification of each! Each one here is ready and willing to help you in anyway possible! You have come to the right place if you are looking for a mentor. Most all members, (Mentors) are here and ready! Make yourself at home and Blast away with your questions and thoughts!

15Member.
I have also thought that. I know guys who have a single mentor, who are locked in to doing things only that one way. I think they feel indebted to following their mentor's advice.

While working hands on with someone of course has it benefits, I think that the forum has the great advantage of being able to hear multiple points of view and differing opinions and being able to pick the right answer for you.   

[Charles Wright]

Thanks everyone. I've found two in my area who are doing what I want to do and am going to visit both this week. I've read several responses with good information, and I appreciate that.
The thing that stands out is the variety of experience I can gain from here that will be impossible from a mentor. Thanks again.

[amymcg]

Hi Charles and welcome

Glad to hear you've found someone local. Eyes in the hive are invaluable.