So I just joined my local Beekeeping Association, Howard County Beekeeping Association. It was $10 to join and they meet the second tuesday of every month. I also Signed up for a beekeeping class provided through the Assoc. It was $40 to register and you have 5, 2.5 hour classes in the class room and 1 field day to go to a local apiary and help with hive maintnence and honey extraction, I also will recieve a textbook on the first day of class. I am very excited to meet local beekeepers in my area and form relationships so that I can use local honey in my mead and hopefully be able to start my own hives in 2012. I also talked to the president of the Assoc. over email and she said that she could probally be able to find some volunteer work for me at local apiaries over the spring and summer so that I can get more experience before starting my own hives. ;D