He did ask something about books he could read and I answered that the blog included a bookstore with books that I recommend. Then I said since I had gone through a lot of changes since I started, I guess he could just read the blog entries.
When we walked away, Noah said what the man was really asking was what books to study for the Journeyman exam. I feel so bad that I didn't respond to or understand what he was asking.
So if I had a chance to do it over (and if he happens to visit this blog), here's what I would study for Journeyman if I were taking it next year:
- I'd read from cover to cover Mark Winston's The Biology of the Honey Bee
- I'd read Honey Bee Democracy by Tom Seeley - not because swarm behavior is essential to the test but because in the process of explaining swarm behavior, Dr. Seeley covers a lot of the new knowledge about bees today.
- I'd read Delaplane's First Lessons in Beekeeping since it's the official text
- I'd go to EAS or another professional bee meeting this year and listen to the featured speakers rather than to what I thought would be fun to hear
- I'd learn everything I could about queens, their biology and behavior
- Even though I'd hate every minute of it, I'd learn everything I could about diseases - causes and treatments
- I'd study the bee catalogs because they always put some weird instrument or another on the practical exam
- And I'd study insects of other species than apis mellifera because I would know I'd have to identify a number of them! (and on that item you have to get 100% right)
Sorry, nice man, that I misunderstood what you were asking. Hope if you read this, that it helps.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteYou are SUCH a gracious person!
I am that man who asked you this question after lunch at Young Harris today. And you have ALREADY posted your answer -- even though you must be tired after a demanding two-day workshop! Imagine my surprise when I visited your blog today and saw your complete answer to what I was seeking!
I have already read Delaplane's book and will read Seeley's book -- and will get Winston's soon.
I highly commend your blog to anyone who is interested in becoming a serious, advanced beekeeper; and I will gladly donate to your site very soon.
Thanks and congratulations, too, to Noah for his great accomplishment!! I began keeping bees 15 years before he was born -- and here he is, a Master Beekeeper!
Your class Friday, Linda, at Young Harris on "Low-Tech Beekeeping" was great. I can't tell you how helpful your blog has been to me!
Keep up the good work and God bless you!
Roger Senechal
Joelton, TN
Take a look here too--there's a study guide.
Deletehttp://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/master-beekeeper/JourneymanStudyGuide.html
Especially the insect id links at the bottom
Hi Roger, I'm so glad you found this - now my guilt is assuaged! I do think the UGA link is of course crucial to read and follow so thanks to Anonymous for putting it up as well. I took that as a given but should have put it in the body of the post. Nice to meet you and I hope to see you at Young Harris taking the Journeyman exam next year!
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