When you begin keeping bees you will have lots of questions and need an experienced bee keeper to answer some of them. Books and on-line resources are great but actually seeing some of the bee keeping supplies and techniques used to handle bees is much better. By joining a beekeeping club in your area you can get lots of helpful advice. You may also want to take some classes before you actually get bees.
Here is a list of beekeeping resources. Most of the listing consists of Michigan based organizations and classes. A few companies and resources from other states are also listed. If a class you are interested in has already happened try contacting the number listed and asking when new classes will be offered.
Bees, beekeeping supplies retailers
Don Lam in Holland, Michigan (West Michigan) The phone number is 616-886-1116
web site is www.DonLamBees.com
Dadant & Sons, Chris Barnes, in Albion, Michigan (South Central Michigan)
The phone number is (517) 629-2860.
Anthony Bee Farms, David Anthony, Swartz Creek, Michigan (Eastern Michigan)
The phone number is 810 621-4371
Groeb Farms, Inc., Onstead, Mi http://www.groebfarms.com
Phone number (517) 467-2065
KalamazooWoodenworks- Cathy King in Phone: 269-743-8146 Email: trreech@aol.com
Gardner's Apiaries, Baxley, Georgia
phone: 912-367-9352 fax: 912-367-7047
Queen Right Colonies Beekeeping Supply, Spencer , Ohio440-647-2602
Michigan bee keeper associations and clubs
Michigan Beekeepers Association www.mi-beekeepers.org (517) 865-9377
Or Richard Leonard 810-688-7387
Email: amleonard02@yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: Michigan Beekeepers Association
South Eastern Michigan Beekeepers Association
Roger Sutherland Phone734-668-8568 Email: rsuther@hotmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web site: www.sembabees.org
OaklandBee Club. Dennis Holly Phone: 248-542-1316
Seven Ponds Beekeepers Club, meets the 4th Thursday of the month at 7 pm at the Seven Ponds Nature Center in Dryden, Michigan. Terry Toland 248-421-6601
Center Of Michigan Beekeepers(COMB)
Meetings are the SECOND MONDAY of the month at 6:30 pm. at Michigan State University Livestock Pavilion. Mike Risk - Phone: 517-651-9842
Email: mrisk75@gmail.com Web Site: http://www.comb-bees.org
KalamazooBee Club- www.michiganbeekeepers.com
Dave Van Antwerp. Phone: 616-293-2600 (cell) Email: dave@michiganbeekeepers.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
HollandArea Beekeepers Association
Donald Lam Phone: 616-335-2707 Email: djl2003@juno.com
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view itWeb site: Holland Area Beekeepers Association
Free magazine
Free Beekeeping Magazine from the publishers of Bee Culture Magazine.
To receive it online every month, go to the Walter T. Kelley Co. web site and sign up for an account (free).
Classes and events
HollandBeeSchool, Sat, Feb 11, 8:30 - 3 pm, MaplewoodReformed Church133 East 34th Street, Holland, MI ($30 for adults, $12 for kids)
Register online at hollandbees.wordpress.com and click register
AlbionBeeSchool, Sat, Feb 25, 9 am - 4:30 pm
Beginning Beekeeping
AlbionCollege
($40 Registration)Contact David Green, 517-629-0582 or email djgreen@albion.edu
Beginning Beekeeping, Tue, Mar 13, 7 pm
Internationally Acclaimed Authors and SpeakersDr.Larry Connor andDr. Dewey Caron at the Comstock Community Center 6330 King Hwy. Comstock, MI (269) 345-8556($5 at the door)
Intermediate Beekeeping, Thur, Mar 15, 7 pm
Internationally Acclaimed Authors and Speakers Dr. Larry Connor, Dr. Dewey Caron at Comstock Community Center, 6330 King Hwy Comstock, MI
(269) 345-8556($5 at the door)
Beekeeping Course- WMU Lifelong Learning, March 13 & 20
Joe Calme-Register online at http://www.wmich.edu/offcampus/lifelong/documents/LLASpring12Catalogv10.pdf .
Honeybees are for everybody-MichiganBeekeepers Association Conference, March 9, MSU, East LansingMi.
Why are bees important to us? Learn how to help bees so they can help you. This conference is a "must attend" for all Michigan beekeepers. Dewey Caron, a well-known author and entomologist from the University of Delaware, will be our featured speaker. Two full days of classes are offered with topics of interest to everyone from the beginning to the experienced beekeeper. An expansive vendor room will help you keep up with what’s new in equipment and supplies. For more information, please check www.michiganbees.org.
Another suggestion to find local beekeepers is to go to a farmers market and find who is selling honey or look in your phone book for apiaries, honey or beekeepers.
For an index of country articles by Kimberley Willis click on her name at the top of the page.
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