Saving The Honeybees

VOLUNTEER

Learn Beekeeping as a Volunteer at Hood Brook Apiary & the "Saving the Honeybees" Initiative.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about and work with honeybees? Have you considered becoming a beekeeper but not sure if it’s right for you? Have you ever thought about playing a role in saving the bees? Hood Brook Apiary/Hood Brook Honeybees is a small, privately run beekeeping operation or “Apiary.” As of this writing, we have 2 active hives at out main location in Pittsfield, Maine and 3 more at The Funny Farm in Vassalboro, Maine. The Funny Farm also has 3 hives of their own. The number of hives can decrease due to winter losses or other reasons. Or, they can increase as we do splits, purchase more bees, and/or capture swarms. I try to keep at least 5 for myself with a goal of getting back up to 10 where we were before devastating losses over the winter of 2021-2022.

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How to Be a Volunteer:

It’s easy!  If Under 18, have a signed approval slip from a parent or guardian.
You must have your own transportation or a dependable ride. 

NOT being allergic to bee stings is a huge plus.  If you are Allergic, let me know and have a signed approval allowing me to inject you with an Epi-pen in the event of a severe allergic reaction.  It is EXTREMELY RARE, but it IS POSSIBLE! Knowing if you are allergic is very important.

Be dependable!  It isn’t a full-time job!  Generally, at the most, it is 3 to 5 hrs on any given day once every couple of weeks.  We usually try to schedule hive inspections and apiary work for the weekends – about twice a month.  If you miss more than 2 work days, you will be warned and further no-shows will lead to termination.

Then just e-mail us at: Info@HoodBrookHoneybees.com, or Text us at: (207) 679-7941 with a little info about yourself and why you’d love to work with bees.  That’s it!

What Will You Need?

I have a couple of suits. One full body suit and one coat and veil. The coat and veil type of suit is mainly what I wear. I also have a couple extra pair of bee gloves. So, you ar pretty much all set. However, if you enjoy doing it after a few visits, you may want to consider getting your own suit.

Job Description

I send you in first to test the Temperament of the hives.  If they don’t attack you, I’ll come in and join you.  JUST KIDDING!

Seriously though, we generally meet at 9 or 10 AM on good, clear, sunny days.  The bees behave much better on nice days.  We will discuss the days plans over coffee or whatever you drink and suit up.  Regularly scheduled days are mostly for inspections or things we had plans to do in advance.  However, other days I may call you and if you are available, you can come and help capture a swarm or resolve a problem we are having.

In the spring we feed hives, install new bee packages and/or “nucs” into the hives, and do inspections.  If we will be getting more bees, we may spend a few hours putting together and painting hives, so they are ready for the bees.