If he found a hot springs he'd hafta see if he needed to have mineral rights to exploit it. My brother has a natural gas well on his property. The state owns it; he leases it for home consumption. I've already bugged L-R about putting in some solar power.
LR-- offer your friend a place to set out an apiary and see if it's something you'd like to do. The initial cost of setting up is a little spendy, so this could be a way to get your feet wet.
If you know how to use needle/thread to close up your coveralls or someone with a sewing machine, that's your first modification.
My Dad worked out yard fees for where he set out bees (6 apiaries in winter, 8 in summer). I think we were giving 3-5 gal pails per year out for yard fees for the most part. That's with 30-40 hives set out on your property.
Colonies (packages) are going for around $95/ea, so I only get 2 a year for hobbyist keeping, tho' I've got enough equipment for 10 hives.
Your sources
Brushy Mountain Bee in NC
www.beesource.com register and lurk the forums. They've also got plans for hive building if you have the talent, time, and equipment.
Pop made his own stuff. In the years he was contracting for pollenating, we'd run about 360 hives for the summer.
I use
www.westernbee.com in MT and
http://www.mannlakeltd.com/ in MN
There should also be a beekeeper's association with your state. Either your local cooperative extension or USDA office, and your beekeeping friend should be able to point you to them for networking or buying used equipment. If buying used hive bodies, etc, MAKE SURE THEY ARE DISEASE FREE.
Subscribe to the magazine with Bee Source; would be a good winter primer.
Another website aside from Ma News is
www.homepower.comScrew the pool
www.snorkel.com It's on m' list. Sauna is cheaper for me to build at the moment.
