Hey there!
So I'm in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area and want to become a beekeeper. I'm reading books (Backyard Beekeeper, Beekeeping for Dummies, a couple of others) and watching a LOT of videos. Planning to take a class in the winter - evidently there was one this past February and so I'm banking on there being one this winter. I've got a small farm (5 acres) and a garden and am looking forward to the additional pollinators on the property - and some honey too.
I'm hoping to find a beekeeper reasonably local to me to visit and shadow a bit - reading and watching videos is good but I think it'd be good to visit and ask questions and be near a hive before I get my own. If you happen to be within say 40-50 miles of Fredericksburg, VA and would be open to having me visit for an hour or so sometime and ask a few questions and inspect a hive, I'd be interested in stopping by. I don't have any equipement (veil, etc.) yet but plan to get it soon.
The family's a bit tentative about the affair though I told them that unless they're near the hive(s) I wouldn't expect life to be much different than it is now. I'd be interested in your thoughts on that.
All the best,
Matt