Atlanta, Georgia noob here

[The Dregs]

Well, not Atlanta exactly, but the 'burbs to the North. Marietta. I have been wanting to get into beekeeping for years and I am finally ready to take the plunge. I looked at a local beekeeping club, they didn't have a forum and aren't meeting for a month. So I figured this place would be a great source of info. I would really appreciate any noobie advice you gouys could point me at, and any reccomendations on where I ought to get some gear.

[Understudy]

Well there are all these cool people in Georgia, some of them even post here.

   Beth Kirkley: Eastman, Georgia
   TylerChuit: Decatur, GA
   Robert Brewer: Hiawassee, GA.
   Lupus: Alpharetta, GA
   firefly: GA
   SageBrush: Alpharetta, GA
   knightfamily: Washington County, GA
   TwT: Lincolnton, Georgia. USA
   beesupply: Georgia USA
   jathomas: Georgia
   Randy Potvin: Georgia, VT
   Miss Chick-a-BEE: Eastman, Georgia USA
   headstoneman: Rossville Ga.
   mountairyherbfarm: Mount Airy Georgia USA
   COLVIN: COBBTOWN, GEORGIA
   GTBee: Powder Springs, GA
   tillie: Atlanta, GA
   Bizzybee: Loganville, GA
   Gerard: Atlanta, GA
   jaime: Comer, GA (NE)
   BeeScout: Middle Georgia
   SouthernYankee79: Augusta, Georgia
   honeybeekeeper: Georgia
   mousestalker: Atlanta, GA
   bigcountry201: Ga.
   Mountaineerfan: Alpharetta, GA
   soilserf40: douglasville, georgia
   asprince: Fort Valley, Georgia

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[asprince]

Welcome fellow Georgian. For gear and supplies, I like Ebay and the good folks at Rossmans down in Moultrie, Ga. They just published a new catalog that is much improved over there last one. Good luck, Steve

[The Dregs]

I take it that those are forum handles? Cool. Maybe I will PM a few. Thanks for the rossman's tip, looking them up now.

[asprince]

They have an on line catalog as well.

http://www.gabees.com/

Steve

[The Dregs]

Yeah, it looked perfect. Unfortunately it seems he is full up on orders for the year and if I wanted to buy from him I'd to take a 2 hour roadtrip. Maybe I can convince my wife to travel with me.

[asprince]

That is what my wife and I did three weeks ago. Nice trip, good people. If I read their webb site correct, you can still place package orders, but you have to pick them up at their place. Steve 

[The Dregs]

Cool! I'll shoot him an email tommorow and start buttering up the wife.

[tillie]

Welcome The Dregs,

This is a great forum and you'll learn a lot here - or at least, I surely have.  I've also learned a lot at Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Club which meets the second Wednesday of each month.  Brendhan (Understudy) has even come to a meeting when visiting Atlanta! 

I also am signed up to go to the Young Harris Bee Institute sponsored by the U of GA Entomology Dept - supposed to be great and is on May 18 - 19 in Young Harris (naturally!).  I don't think it's too late to register for that.  In other words, there are a lot of hands on opportunities for learning in Atlanta area, but also TONS of knowledge to be gained here on the forum.

You might also check with P.N. Williams (his number is on the Metro Atlanta webpage).  I and a lot of Atlanta beekeepers get our bees from him - he's in Forest Park - a lot closer than Rossman's.

Let me know if I can help,

Linda T in Atlanta

[The Dregs]

Will do! Thanks a lot. I must say I am getting great replies here, quick too. You guys are great.

[soilserf40]

Try University of Ga. Honey Bee Program at  ent.uga.edu/bees

Go to 2007 Beekeeping Institute  (at Young Harris)

I think you can still sign up, if you like.

[asprince]

tillie,
What is the webb address for the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Club?

Steve

[tillie]

http://www.metroatlantabeekeepers.org/

Also here is the UGa web site for the Young Harris Beekeeping Institute on May 17 - 19.  I'm going for the first level certificate this time.

http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/Meetings/workshops.htm

I think that will do it!

Linda T (hope you'll come to a meeting)

[shakerbeeman]

I really need to find a beekeeping course around here in CT. Think I missed one in April.

[The Dregs]

Thanks for the info guys. I emailed that P.N. Williams fellow as well as a couple suppliers local to Marietta that I found while looking him up. I am currently reading the forums and soaking up as much info as I can. Hopefully I can get started by about the middle of May. I am having a Cinco de Mayo party and none of the guests would show up if they knew I had a hive.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to take that class, I am hosting my uncle from California that week, so I am kinda booked. I will try to make a meeting if I can get off work early enough. Do you have to be a member to attend?

[tillie]

Hi The Dregs,

I assume you mean the Metro meeting - people come as guests all the time.  There's a calendar on the web page with the speakers and you'll find that there are interesting topics as well as high quality speakers.  I think Keith Delaplane is speaking at the next meeting. 

Linda T in Atlanta

[Understudy]

We need to mention Fatbeeman

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[The Dregs]

I like his site! Not too far either, I may head up there. So when people say they are out of "nucs" for shipping, this means they usually have them available for pick up? And a "nuc" is like a mini hive or something? Off to research. I think I saw a thread on terms somewhere.

[tillie]

When I requeen, I'm going to get my queen from fatbeeman.  He's in Lula, GA, on the drive to and from my place in the mountains, so I could pick up the queen and have her arrive in Atlanta in her own chariot!  I also want to take one of his organic beekeeping classes.

Linda T always eager to learn in Atlanta or wherever!

[tillie]

His site sounds like he is out of packages - not that he is out of nucs.

Linda T in Atlanta