John A. Skinner, Professor and Extension Apiculture Specialist, University of Tennessee
James P. Parkman, Adjunct Assistant Professor and IPM Coordinator, University of Tennessee
Michael D. Studer, Senior Laboratory Technician, University of Tennessee
Harry E. Williams, Professor Emeritus (Deceased), University of Tennessee
Getting Started in Beekeeping
Why Beekeeping?
Most people realize that beekeeping is important to world-wide agricultural production, because bees
pollinate fruits and vegetables valued in billions of dollars. Without the honey bee, our food supply could
be in serious jeopardy. The economic value of honey, wax and other hive products is continually increasing as we end new uses for bee-related products. People of either sex or any age can keep bees almost anywhere. When asked why they become beekeepers, people’s responses are variable, including “to pollinate my garden,” “to make honey to sell,” “to teach my children something useful,” “to put honey on my biscuits,” “as therapy,” to understand “what makes bees tick,” because they thought it would be fun and “because I just like foolin’ with ‘em.”