Mentor Guidelines
Commitment
As a YCBA mentor, you are volunteering your time and expertise to help a new beekeeper succeed. We ask that you commit to at least one full beekeeping season (roughly April through October) with your mentee. Plan to visit or be available for questions at least twice a month during the active season.
Communication
Establish clear communication expectations with your mentee early on. Exchange phone numbers or preferred contact methods and agree on reasonable response times. Proactively check in with your mentee, especially during critical periods like spring buildup, swarm season, and fall preparation.
Teaching Approach
Focus on hands-on learning. When visiting your mentee's hives, guide them through inspections rather than doing the work for them. Explain what you're looking for and why. Encourage questions and be patientāremember what it was like when you were starting out. Different beekeepers have different styles, so be open about your approach while acknowledging that other methods can also work.
Hosting Mentees
If you're comfortable doing so, invite your mentee to visit your own bee yard. Seeing a more experienced operation firsthand is one of the best learning experiences for a new beekeeper. Open hive sessions at Finson Farm are also great opportunities to work alongside your mentee in a group setting.
Setting Boundaries
It's important to set healthy boundaries. You are a guide, not an on-call service. Encourage your mentee to do their own research, read recommended books, and attend club meetings. Help them build confidence to make decisions on their own over time.
Attend Events
We encourage mentors to attend YCBA open hive sessions, workshops, and meetings when possible. These events are a great opportunity to connect with your mentee in a group setting and to share your knowledge with the broader community.
Reporting Concerns
If your mentoring relationship isn't working well, or if you have concerns about your mentee's hive health practices, please reach out to the mentorship program coordinator. We can help mediate issues or find a better match if needed. Your feedback helps us improve the program for everyone.