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I've been keeping this blog for all of my beekeeping years and I am beginning my 19th year of beekeeping in April 2024. Now there are more than 1300 posts on this blog. Please use the search bar below to search the blog for other posts on a subject in which you are interested. You can also click on the "label" at the end of a post and all posts with that label will show up. At the very bottom of this page is a list of all the labels I've used.

Even if you find one post on the subject, I've posted a lot on basic beekeeping skills like installing bees, harvesting honey, inspecting the hive, etc. so be sure to search for more once you've found a topic of interest to you. And watch the useful videos and slide shows on the sidebar. All of them have captions. Please share posts of interest via Facebook, Pinterest, etc.

I began this blog to chronicle my beekeeping experiences. I have read lots of beekeeping books, but nothing takes the place of either hands-on experience with an experienced beekeeper or good pictures of the process. I want people to have a clearer picture of what to expect in their beekeeping so I post pictures and write about my beekeeping saga here.Master Beekeeper Enjoy with me as I learn and grow as a beekeeper.

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Sunday, May 18, 2008

The Best Part of Young Harris

Obviously the best part of the Young Harris Beekeeping Institute is sharing information and getting to know beekeepers from Georgia and surrounding states.

Here's my fun lunch group from the last day. We had a great time at the lunches. (The food leaves something to be desired but the company is well worth hanging out in the cafeteria.) We all shared the experience of the day with each other. I didn't take pictures at the most fun event which was the shrimp boil held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds on Friday night. The food is really delicious there and the people are all more relaxed because we're through with all the tests.



Tests? Yes, the Beekeeping Institute is put on by the University of Georgia and The Young Harris College. Most people come to try to get certification at some level. You can take the beginner level - which is Certified Beekeeper. That's what I did last year. The next level is Journeyman (must have two years of beekeeping under your belt) followed by Master Beekeeper and Certified Master Craftsman Beekeeper (those two take at least five years). I believe that Bill Owens is the only Certified Master Craftsman Beekeeper in the state of Georgia. Also available at Young Harris Beekeeping Institute is a class to certify Welsh Honey Judges.

I took the Journeyman tests both written and practical and turned in my proof of the required five public service credits I had earned.

I sweated bullets. I was pretty sure I had passed the written test, but the practical test included some entomology that threw me for a loop. So I wasn't feeling very hopeful as I sat down at the end-of-the-institute convocation.

When Dr. Delaplane called out the name of the person who had passed the Journeyman level, I was not that person, so I sat back in my chair and thought, "OK, maybe I'll try again next year."

Then after a pause, I heard Dr. Delaplane announce, "And Linda Tillman." I was thrilled. He commented that this blog influenced my certification, so thank you to all of you who come to read about my beekeeping adventures and comment on my efforts.



I keep a statcounter on the numbers of people who visit each day and now it averages 300/day from all over the world. Since January 1, 2007, Google reports that 1,989 people have watched my video on crush and strain harvesting and 2,848 people have watched the one on how to make a solar wax melter. Thank you all for your interest and for visiting so often.



I also entered the photograph below in the photography section of the honey show and it won second place. What a great day for me all the way around!

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7 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:47 PM

    Linda!

    I'm soooo happy that you are now a CERTIFIED Journeyman Beekeeper. I hope you continue to work towards your Master Beekeeper Certification.

    Thanks for all the work you do on this blog. I have enjoyed it all.

    Humbled and honored, your friend

    Bill Owens
    Master Craftsman Beekeeper

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Linda:

    Whoowee!!!! I'm really thrilled by your news. You're the bomb of bees!

    Love,
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12:15 PM

    Linda,

    Congratulations! I am so proud of your certification as a Journeyman Beekeeper.

    Love,

    Teri

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous6:49 PM

    Linda,

    You know how I feel about you and you have made beekeeping just a wonderful experience for me.

    I always refer to your videos and have recently made the most beautiful beeswax based on your solar wax melter.

    You deserve this certificate due to all your hard work here on this blog.

    Thanks again for being such an inspiration to me

    Sincerely
    Annette from Placerville, California

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous9:13 PM

    Fantastic Linda - you certainly deserve this award - well done !!

    There is not a day that goes past that I don`t pop into your blog ..

    Ngaio NZ

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous11:40 AM

    Well, there was no doubt in my mind!
    Of course you past! and congratulations with it!!
    With the amount of work you put into this blog it's a wonder that you still have time for a (real) job ;)

    Love the adventure!!

    kindest regards (from Copenhagen, Denmark)

    Warren

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Linda, Congratulations! Your blog is fascinating. I just found it. Love your beesuit, too. Best wishes, Sandra from Atlanta

    ReplyDelete

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