Hands on Beekeepers

10/26/2024

Notice: This weekend the Chesapeake store location is closed. See Andy in Hampton for beekeeping equipment and supplies.

Check the Colonial Beekeepers Association website for Andy’s hours on Saturday.

Also shop our online store with pickup in Chesapeake or one of the local beekeeping meetings as coordinated.

10/01/2024

Use this time to assist/aid and support those in need.

Important Update: Fall Conference Postponed Due to Hurricane Helene

Dear Members,

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe. We’ve been closely following the impact of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm, devastating communities across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and here in Virginia. In light of the widespread damage, power outages, road closures, and ongoing recovery efforts, the VSBA Executive Board has made the difficult decision to postpone our upcoming Fall Conference.

Why This Change?
After much discussion, it became clear that holding the event as planned would not only be unsafe but also inappropriate, given the challenges our members and fellow beekeepers are facing. Many of our members are dealing with the immediate aftermath of the storm—recovering their homes, hives, and communities. We want to respect that by not asking anyone to travel during this uncertain time and instead focus our efforts on supporting one another.

New Conference Dates
We’re tentatively looking at rescheduling for the same location on either January 31 - February 1, 2025, or February 7 - 8, 2025. We will confirm the final dates as soon as we can.

Your Registration Options
If you’ve already registered, you have the following options:

Transfer your registration to the new dates.
Receive a Credit to use at the next conference.
Request a Full Refund if neither option suits your needs.
Our team will be reaching out to each of you directly to discuss your preference and make the necessary arrangements.

What’s Next?
We’re actively working with our venue, speakers, and vendors to ensure a smooth transition and will provide more updates in the coming days. Please bear with us as we work through these changes.

Supporting Our Beekeeping Community
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this storm. Many beekeepers have suffered significant losses to their colonies, equipment, and infrastructure, and several regions are still dealing with hazardous conditions and blocked roads. By postponing the conference, we hope to keep everyone safe and give our community the space it needs to recover.

We encourage everyone to focus on helping their neighbors and supporting local relief efforts where possible. Together, we can help rebuild and strengthen our beekeeping community.

Thank you for your understanding and support. Please stay safe, and keep those impacted by Hurricane Helene in your thoughts.

Warm Regards,
Bill Gartner
President, VSBA

09/21/2024

Notice: Store hours adjusted for today for Steve in Chesapeake and Andy in Hampton for beekeeping equipment and supplies. Details below. Also shop our online store with pickup in Chesapeake or beekeeping meeting.

Saturday, September 21st from 1 pm to 3 pm. Hands On Beekeepers, LLC Warehouse, 3869 Bruce Road, Chesapeake, VA. The supply containers are set up at our apiary there. Landmarks, you will pass Lilly Farm and see signs to Clark Farm. Our apiary is between the 2 farms. Just past the new residential development “Martin’s Point”, you will see a white picket fence at the gravel lane, with a yellow sign with red and black text “Bees at Work Caution”, and a white sign with black text Agrotourism sign. The private lane has trees on the left side and new homes on the right side, take the lane and park near the orange safety cones along the lane near the containers. When you get there if the door to the trailer and containers are closed, please call Steve at (757) 408-5201. If you need something and can't make it on Saturday, give Steve a call or text to arrange a date and time to pick it up throughout the week. (Please note assembled woodenware orders take longer and will be coordinated with customer for pick at later date).

09/07/2024

Notice: today see Steve in Chesapeake and Andy in Hampton for beekeeping equipment and supplies. Details below. Also shop our online store with pickup in Chesapeake or beekeeping meeting.

Saturday, September 7th from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. Hands On Beekeepers, LLC Warehouse, 3869 Bruce Road, Chesapeake, VA. The supply containers are set up at our apiary there. Landmarks, you will pass Lilly Farm and see signs to Clark Farm. Our apiary is between the 2 farms. Just past the new residential development “Martin’s Point”, you will see a white picket fence at the gravel lane, with a yellow sign with red and black text “Bees at Work Caution”, and a white sign with black text Agrotourism sign. The private lane has trees on the left side and new homes on the right side, take the lane and park near the orange safety cones along the lane near the containers. When you get there if the door to the trailer and containers are closed, please call Steve at (757) 408-5201. If you need something and can't make it on Saturday, give Steve a call or text to arrange a date and time to pick it up throughout the week. (Please note assembled woodenware orders take longer and will be coordinated with customer for pick at later date).

Hands on Beekeepers will have beekeeping supplies for sale at the St. George Brewing Co. 204 Challenger Way in Hampton. Andy Westrich will have the Beekeeping Supply Container open from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. Saturday September 7. The supply container is set up behind the brewery building in the back of the gravel parking lot. When you get there if the door to the container is closed, please give Andy a call on his cell phone, he is most likely working either in the brewery or out in the bee yard. If you need something and can't make it on Saturday, give Andy a call at (757) 513-2467 to arrange a date and time to pick up through the week.

08/19/2024

We notice and appreciate the business.

08/10/2024

Great hometown support.

07/21/2024

Get ready to taste the sweetness of Hampton Roads Honeyfest on August 4th! Meet our dedicated team at Hands on Beekeepers and explore our local honey and other products while enjoying the festival's activities!

07/13/2024

Notice: today see Steve in Chesapeake and Andy in Hampton for beekeeping equipment and supplies. Details below. Also shop our online store with pickup in Chesapeake or beekeeping meeting.

Saturday, 13 July from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Hands On Beekeepers, LLC Warehouse, 3869 Bruce Road, Chesapeake, VA. The supply containers are set up at our apiary there. Landmarks, you will pass Lilly Farm and see signs to Clark Farm. Our apiary is between the 2 farms. Just past the new residential development “Martin’s Point”, you will see a white picket fence at the gravel lane, with a yellow sign with red and black text “Bees at Work Caution”, and a white sign with black text Agrotourism sign. The private lane has trees on the left side and new homes on the right side, take the lane and park near the orange safety cones along the lane near the containers. When you get there if the door to the trailer and containers are closed, please call Steve at (757) 408-5201. If you need something and can't make it on Saturday, give Steve a call or text to arrange a date and time to pick it up throughout the week. (Please note assembled woodenware orders take longer and will be coordinated with customer for pick a later date).

Saturday, 13 July from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Hands On Beekeepers, LLC.
St. George Brewing Co. 204 Challenger Way in Hampton. Andy Westrich will have the Beekeeping Supply Container open before the meetings. The supply container is set up behind the brewery building in the back of the gravel parking lot. When you get there if the door to the container is closed, please give Andy a call at (757) 513-2467 he is most likely working either in the brewery or out in the bee yard. If you need something and can't make it on Saturday, give Andy a call to arrange a date and time to pick it up throughout the week.

07/03/2024

Observing July 4th Thursday for Independence Day.

Have a safe and Great July 4th
See You Friday....

06/15/2024

Notice: see Steve in Chesapeake and Andy in Hampton for beekeeping equipment and supplies. Details below. Also shop our online store with pickup in Chesapeake or one of the local beekeeping meetings.
Saturday, June 15th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Hands On Beekeepers, LLC Store/Warehouse, 3869 Bruce Road, Chesapeake, VA. The supply containers are set up at our apiary there. Landmarks, you will pass Lilly Farm and see signs to Clark Farm. Our apiary is between the 2 farms. Just past the new residential development “Martin’s Point”, you will see a white picket fence at the gravel lane, with a yellow sign with red and black text “Bees at Work Caution”, and a white sign with black text Agrotourism sign. The private lane has trees on the left side and new homes on the right side, take the lane and park near the orange safety cones along the lane near the containers. When you get there if the door to the trailer and containers are closed, please call Steve at (757) 408-5201. If you need something and can't make it on Saturday, give Steve a call or text to arrange a date and time to pick it up throughout the week. (Please note assembled woodenware orders take longer and will be coordinated with customer for pick a later date).
Saturday, June 15th from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Hands On Beekeepers, LLC.
St. George Brewing Co. 204 Challenger Way in Hampton. Andy Westrich will have the Beekeeping Supply Container open before the meetings. The supply container is set up behind the brewery building in the back of the gravel parking lot. When you get there if the door to the container is closed, please give Andy a call at (757) 513-2467 he is most likely working either in the brewery or out in the bee yard. If you need something and can't make it on Saturday, give Andy a call to arrange a date and time to pick it up throughout the week.

05/27/2024

Remembering those who gave all.

05/07/2024

Bee Guy appreciation post🐝⚾️ MLB

04/27/2024

Empowering Harbo VHS Queens cells, primed for mating NUCs today and tomorrow. Monday emergence expected. Kudos to John Davis for his expert grafting skills!