Spring and bee swarming season is coming and, if you can capture a swarm, you're off to a great start. If you put the word out that you will come get a swarm, people will call you, believe me. If you need to buy bees, you can.
After you've done some reading and you have questions, the premiere bee forum is Beesource.com. Many of the authors of bee books and some of the best breeders hang out there and answer questions. Beekeepers are a great community.
I will warn you, however, that bees will steal your heart immediately, and your own source of honey and the other by-products of bees is invaluable in a self-sufficient lifestyle.
Wow! Thanks so much for this. My husband and I have a major project (fence) to get done and when it’s finished, I’m going to spend some time learning more about bees and getting the hives cleaned up.