Have you ever considered beekeeping as a hobby or a side business?

Even if you haven't, now is the perfect time to explore the idea further.

Free and affordable “Beekeeping 101” courses are available everywhere these days. Many can be found online. It is easy to register and attend virtually to see if you want to take it further. You can ask experts questions that might be keeping you on the fence. We highly recommend that you attend a virtual or local beekeeping course before starting up, for your sake and for the bees. Contact your local beekeeping association for information. And if you are still not ready after the course, find out if you can apprentice to a beekeeper for a season or two before committing fully.

Timing is everything. We are near the end of winter in the northern hemisphere, and it won’t be long before bees emerge from their winter isolation and start foraging for nectar and pollen so they can make honey back at the hive.

After almost a year of varying degrees of human isolation, many people are seeking a way to commune more with nature, and to earn extra money. Beekeeping can fulfill both these desires. And for those who go at things full throttle, beekeeping can be a very profitable business model if you do your homework and plan well.

In this 5:46-minute video by GrowOrganic Peaceful Valley Tricia shows what you need and how to set up your hives:

Getting started with just a hive or two is affordable, and it is possible to earn your investment back and make a profit in your first year. Hobby beekeeping requires only light physical labor, but remember your bees will depend on you to be consistent. Professional beekeeping requires you to invest more time and money.

There is no better way to enjoy an adventure in nature. Breathe fresh air, get grounded in a down-to-earth connection with the bees and earth, and feel the soothing waves of humming sound energies that ripple out from the bees in their hive.

Beekeeping gives you purpose and helps you contribute in your own way to assist the environment and your local community. There are many ways to sell your honey, like local farmers markets, natural stores, running ads and more.

Unexpected friendships comes with the package too… many beekeepers bond with their bees and feel a sense of camaraderie with these highly intelligent and organized insects. You will also meet people in your community that you might not otherwise meet, like beekeepers, vendors, ordinary residents of your town who rave about your unique brand of honey, local plant and tree experts at various nurseries, flower shops and wildlife refuges... even experts at local educational facilities or universities, depending on what you seek to learn.

There are many stories in the news these days about how lucrative bees are, and what they can do for the humans who interact with them. Various types of people are getting into it. Veterans, empty nesters, marginalized people, celebrities, stay-at-home moms and dads, retirees, convicts, and ex-convicts… those who have lost loved ones this past year.

Various businesses are getting into beekeeping. Restaurants and bars, public spaces, hotels, airports, schools, cities and even public officials are beekeeping. It’s the thing to do! An unexpected bonus is that you may feel happier with yourself as you overcome fears you may have started out with and gain courage and confidence in handling the bees. It is a journey, but one of the most rewarding ones available these days to people all over the world.

This 1:00-minute video by Sound Effects has various therapeutic bee buzzing sounds:

Here are some amazing stories to interest you if you are considering putting on a beekeeper’s suit:

Charlie McDonald is a Florida backyard beekeeper. He feels really good about his contribution to helping preserve bees. Every night, he wanders over to his beehives before bedtime and listens to the hum and energy coming from the hives. He loves his European honeybees and he talks to them. They have never stung him.  Read more about Charlie and his bees as well as other heartwarming Florida beekeeping stories here.

For veterans, beekeeping is a soul-soothing pastime that can also be a way to earn extra income. There are many options for veterans who wish to start beekeeping. The Department of Veteran Affairs has beekeeping programs at the time of this blog post, as recreational therapy programs at several areas around the country. Check their website to see where those are, and if there are any virtual classes. If not, don’t let that stop you. There is a great list of non-VA programs at nonprofits and local universities for veterans that you can access here.

This international beekeeping success story surprised nobody more than the beekeeper himself. When 22-year-old university student Ameer Ahmed from Punjab province in Pakistan started beekeeping with 30 beehives last year, he was not planning to turn this trade into a full-time easy and profitable business, but that is what happened. He quickly grew it to 100 beehives on his farmland with two workers to care for his bees, and he exports honey to UAE and Saudi Arabia. The Pakistani government is supportive of beekeepers. You can read Ameer's story and about beekeeping in Pakistan here.

So, what about you? Is this the year you will enrich your life and bond with your own bees?