Approximately 50 years ago I began beekeeping as a 4-H project along the western slope of the Appalachian Mtns (very western edge of THE Washington Plantation). Over the years I have kept bees in Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas (in 4 very different locations), and North Dakota. I have had the opportunity to work for three commercial bee operations and participate in the migratory movement of bees. Some years back (decades actually) I self taught himself queen rearing.
In 2003, I decided to begin building something for his retirement years and slowly begin assembling bee equipment and adding hives with the primary goal of producing a small honey crop for the local community. Adding to this original goal of producing a small honey crop, I also produce a small number of starter hives (often times called "nucs" (for nucleus) and queens. I currently maintains a Texas Queen Breeding Permit and a Texas Intrastate Bee Moving Permit. Eventually I would like to be capable of producing a pretty bee that would be an acceptable specimen for beginner beekeepers. I am also currently employed (very much part time) as the chief apiarist at the Texas A&M Honeybee Lab.