We have beekeepers right here in Watonga. A few, actually. Micky and Carla Fisher have found a new hobby- and it looks promising. “Micky’s brother, Rick Fisher,
“Micky’s brother, Rick Fisher, from Okeene, is our mentor, and how we got enough confidence to take the plunge. It’s an intimidating and expensive hobby- but we so far, are loving it.” says Carla.
“Our first advice from Rick was to attend a Beekeepers Meeting and we went to Fairview, April 23, to the NW Beekeepers meeting and sat through a very good, handson class about bees and beekeeping. Previously, we had helped Rick and his bee partner Wayne Cayot split 16 hives of bees from a pasture out west of Okeene. It was AMAZING!!!! We were hooked.”
“Rick had said for anyone thinking about getting into bees that was good experience and we’d know by the end of the day if we had what it took to do it. Some people can’t conquer their fear or remain calm or even handle the physicality of hours in the sun in a bee suit.”
“So, we jumped off the cliff into the beekeeping abyss and ordered 3 Miller Little Giant Hives from Atwoods and our journey began- minus the biggest part. Where and when and how to get bees themselves?”
“I also bought a copy of Beekeeping for Dummies because I’m a reader and that’s how I prefer to learn.”
“Each hive was $139.99 – so that was just the tip of the money it takes to start.”
“We got them set up and ready for bees, but his brother said it was probably too late to get any bees; however, I found a member of COBA (Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association) that had 2 nuc’s (nucleus colony: a small-sized hive in which a small colony of bees resides) for sale at $180.00 each which is a box with 5 frames of bees, honey, bee brood, eggs, pollen, and a queen. We ran it by Rick who told us all the right questions to ask, and he said he thought it sounded like she was on the up and up and knew what she was doing.”
“On May 21 we drove to NW Expressway and met the lady in the parking lot at Home Depot. We got our 2 boxes of bees, paid her $360.00, said a few prayers and came home.”
“We placed the 2 nuc’s next to the set-up hives overnight and Rick came over the next day to help us and see what we had. We might eventually sell honey next year or later, but we are mostly in it for the pollination for the garden and just for the health of our world. Therefore, leaving all the honey produced in the hives for the bees themselves to live off of to get through their first winter is most advantageous. If all goes well, by spring, when we split hives- we will get our first chance at some honey.”
Rick and Wayne take observation hives to local schools to teach kids about the bees. If you are interested in starting a colony or purchasing delicious, local honey right now, call Rick at 580-623-1132 or Wayne 580-822-0300.