Don't Treat Beekeeping Like A Hobby...Learn Why!

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My Beekeeping Fav's
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[PapaBee]

A rose by any other name is still a rose. Beekeeping is my hobby but I take care of my ladies, feed them as needed, sell my honey, treat them for mites and hive beetles. I love my girls.

[icymountainhoney]

Great advice Jason. I never considered myself a “hobbyist” always a “backyard beekeeper” (not bee haver). My 🐝’zzz are my me time. Nobody bothers me when I’m surrounded by hundreds or thousands of 🐝 🐝 🐝. 😂😂😁.
Thanks for all you do to encourage others to do well.

[nancynolton]

Totally agree - too many folks want to get a hive to "save the bees" without realizing all that goes along with being a keeper. Takes time and dedication to be a beekeeper and it is a never ending learning experience. Thanks for bringing up the topic.

[bradgoliphant]

I agree with you Jason. Any living creature should be kept with the utmost responsibility.

[TennesseeMountainBees]

Great advice Jason! I'm a beekeeper that learned the hard way. When first starting out, I was only a bee haver. Wouldn't have had as many regrets from those early attempts had I given the bees the respect and attention they deserve. I agree, even if one considers himself a hobbiest, he needs to remember the bees are livestock and need help! Another great video brother!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[joeyl.rowland]

Morning Jason. Can't even get a moment to open a hive. Too busy doing hurricane relief. I did open them AFTER DARK, I try to open my hives at least every 2 weeks.
It is a hobby for me but my hobby is extremely important to me, I don't like my hives dying or swarming off.
It is ok to keep them as a hobby, but if you don't manage your bees you won't have bees.
You have to remember Randy McAfree is my mentor he helped me to get over my fear of Honeybees and his is the channel where " Hobby beekeeping is a way of life."

[sonofone-Bees]

Maybe refer to the hobby bee keeper as jornyman bee keeper. Because before you you move up to sideliner ther is a big learning curve. And when you move up there is another set of challenges that you face. Plus the term also does not let your mind think that this is all there is, it comes with challenges and learning.

[ileanacavanagh]

We love our beekeeping hobby and take very good care of our bees. We always thought of ourselves as backyard beekeepers. Love your videos and have learned a lot from them 🐝

[tomasjosefvela]

It's not a hobby if you don't do it, no matter what "it" is. A hobbyist is just one who doesn't do something for a living. If you play guitar every now and then that doesn't make it a hobby it's just something you know how to do. A hobby is something you do often to relax and learn and get your brain a break from the daily grind. I think it would be a better point to be made if you said, " if you choose to be a hobby bee keeper please make sure you can put the time in, not only for "your bees" but for the health and safety of ALL BEES. There are so many bad things happening to our environment that are making their existence a struggle don't add to the problems." I don't know why this video had such an impact on my brain today so i just want to mention that I'm a big fan and for the most part love your content, you seem like a calm, cool and well thought out person and i enjoy how and what you have to say so please don't read this with a tone of negativity, it's not meant to be anything more than just my opinion. Thank you for your time.

[davidoligny]

We went to our first beekeeping class with Denzel St.Clair. He advised us all not to be a bee haver instead of a bee keeper. Bee keeping requires the commitment you talked about.
I always learn something from your videos. Thank you.

[dcsblessedbees]

JC, "to each their own"🤨use to be a golden rule.
I don't really care what people define me as, people should keep bees how they choose PERIOD. If people want bees as a hobby I fully support them and WONT judge them for it.🤨I'll even sell them bees the next go around if they want, I will also educate them as possible.🤔It's about their personal right to live and keep bees how they choose.

[mindylabean]

You should use this idea as an intro to your book! It will help the new beekeeper start off with the right mindset .

[summitapiary]

Hi Jason....You are spot on! Honey Bees are considered livestock in NJ and we refer to non-commercial beekeepers like myself who do not sell bees or bee products as "sideline beekeepers". Well done on putting out a truly unique and timely video on a very important topic. If you get this part right, you will increase the odds of being a successful beekeeper. Dr. Joe

[curtis]

I work my tail off taking care of my bees but it doesn't make a living for all my needs so it's a hobby for me. It will pay for itself and help all my neighbors gardens.

[keiththompson]

I just watched this video where you divided beekeeping into three parts and pretty much condemned the word hobbyist beekeeper. Maybe they should change the term to read (Bee buyer) instead of beekeeper. I agree with you 100% on taking care of your bees is actually taking care of livestock in the state of Montana you have to register you're apiary. And they keep track of how many hives you have as well as how many survived in the winter. I just wanted to say thanks again for sharing on YouTube your experience.

Keith Thompson your South Central Montana beekeeper

[chicken]

I've had bees for years as a hobby and nothings changed.i think its all in the people that keep them

[SortOfaBeekeeper]

Great advice! I like journeyman beekeeper too!! So nice to see Ladybug and Moose💖

[Amethyst]

I agree with you for the most part, but some of us are diligent with our hobbies... I personally think of each colony as a pet... I make sure each pet has a secure home, is well fed, has treatment for possible ailments or infestations. I enjoy spending time with them and get a lot out of it... might not be cuddles and licks, it's fascination and maybe some honey... I don't have other forms of livestock, so my mind doesn't easily wrap around the term... Livestock, to me, is something to later butcher for food, or is simply there for what you can harvest from them like milk or eggs... Yes, we hope to harvest honey, which is why they are considered livestock, but I don't think of them just for that...They are so much more than livestock to me. Each super-organism of a colony is my pet, to be taken care of whether they give me honey or not...

[BeesNTrees]

whether you're taking care of a few hives or countless, you are the steward of so many creatures, you ought to take that responsibility as seriously as you can. The creatures you care for also interact with the greater world in very complex ways and we should take that seriously too!

[MikeNappier]

As a veterinarian and someone who has bees not for commercial purposes I say that I have "pet" bees. My bees are my pets in a similar way as I have my cat. I enjoy spending time with them, enjoy watching their behavior with me, enjoy taking care of them, and enjoy our interactions. While I might enjoy some affection form my cat, I don't demand it. Just like I might enjoy some honey or splits from my bees, I don't demand it.