Welcome to Babcock Farms
Our goal is to bring awareness to sustainability in beekeeping. This is what has worked for me in the Central Great Plains. The weather here has cold winters and warm summers, with low precipitation and humidity, a lot of wind, and sudden changes in temperature. We are also in farm country with corn, soybeans and wheat being the predominate crops around us. To be sustainable you need be good stewards, and to be aware of all aspects of beekeeping.
Building a good foundation through proper education is an important first step. Without this you will likely be a package buyer or at best a “beehaver”. Once you have the basic understanding of how to manage a hive you are well on your way to sustainability. A good book is a must when you are 1st starting out. My recommendation would be First Lessons in Beekeeping by Keith S. Delaplane. This is a great basic book to refer upon. Stick with what is true and tried and not start off experimenting. Another great book is The Beekeeper’s Handbook by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile. This goes into much greater depth but an excellent resource as a second book.
The best beekeepers I know are great observers. Beekeepers need to have an awareness of what’s going on in the hive to keep them healthy and strong.