TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. (Oct. 5, 2015) -- Selecting a hobby with an element of danger proved therapeutic to a combat veteran decompressing from several deployments to Southwest Asia.
Four years ago, when Steve Leibig realized his usual method of readjusting from the rigors of war wasn't going to work, he embarked on a path to serenity that not everyone would dare tread.
"I needed a hobby that was calming," he said, explaining that he got the idea from an uncle who had shared the same interest. "It took a little convincing, but I finally talked my father into helping me build bee hives in my backyard and on the Family farm."
Leibig works in the depot's Continuous Process Improvement Directorate as a process improvement specialist. He assists internal and external customers conduct LEAN (a process improvement methodology) events, LEAN sustainment reviews, internal efficiencies and other LEAN Six Sigma methodologies.
His transition strategy was to learn all he could about becoming a beekeeper before setting foot back on American soil.
To alleviate his parent's concerns over his commitment to this new venture, he decided to start small. The backyard beekeeper nurtured one hive at home and three hives on the farm. With a nod to his Family's role in the fledgling enterprise, Leibig named the hives after the house he grew up in - 1847 Stonehaus Hives - a historic stone structure built in 1847.
The years have been fruitful and the bee yard has grown to accommodate nearly 2 million bees at the original locations and three additional properties in Cherry Valley and Northampton County.
"Stonehaus Hives boasts 25 hives capable of producing 800 pounds of honey per year," Leibig said. "A far cry from the 30 pounds of honey I got in my first year. Right now the hobby pays for itself."
Apiary is the correct term for where beehives of honey bees are kept. Traditionally, beekeepers (also known as apiarists) paid land rent in honey for the use of small parcels. So far, there are two property owners within an eight-mile radius of Leibig's home who have agreed to keep with tradition and host five hives each.
"It's funny, I'll be driving down the road and spot a field that would be perfect for hives," he said. "I started reaching out to property owners to see if I could establish hives on their land."
The landlords receive 10-12 jars of honey annually.
Next year, Leibig plans to add five hives to two locations for a total of 35 hives.
Beekeeping isn't an expensive hobby, though Leibig advises beginners to take their time learning the craft. Join a bee club and take advantage of the books, magazines, DVDs and online videos to improve the chance of success, he said.
"I learn something new every time I go into the hives or talk to other beekeepers," he said, noting that he is the vice president of the Monroe County Beekeepers Association. "We get together to talk about a variety of topics. Just recently, a wildlife conservation officer with the Game Commission spoke to us about how to protect our hives from bears."
Beekeeping can be labor intensive as an apiary requires year round care. It's a common misconception that bees hibernate in the winter. They are alive inside the hive all year keeping their queen at a comfortable 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
Experts recommend beekeepers devote at least three to five hours a week to their hobby, which includes time spent visiting the hive, harvesting honey, repairing equipment and putting things away for the season.
"My biggest challenge was learning what I needed to know so the bees could thrive," Leibig said. "My advice is to stay informed and learn from the experience of others."
The weather is instrumental to the lives of the bees and subsequently the honey crop. It's interesting to note that bees don't leave the hive when it rains. And, that there are natural pests such as mites that can wreak havoc on a hive if left unchecked, he said.
Throughout the years, the hive owner has learned a few tricks of the beekeeping trade. For instance, he can ward off starvation of the hive by adding emergency rations near the end of a long, cold winter or jumpstart the lifecycle of the hive by fooling the bees into thinking its spring.
"You have to be calm when working with bees," he said, who pointed out one inevitable fact - beekeepers will get stung. "Take my advice, wear the proper protective clothing and employ the tools of the trade."
When working around the hive, the degree of danger changes with different times of the year and beekeepers use smokers to calm the bees, Leibig said. Incidentally, bees tend to disregard what goes on around them when one or more major nectar sources are in bloom because they are focused on bringing pollen and nectar back to the hive to make honey. As winter draws near, they're on the defensive trying to protect the honey stores.
Bees usually swarm in the spring to propagate the species, although Leibig did catch a swarming hive just a few weeks ago. And hives need a minimum of 80 pounds of honey to survive the winter.
The proprietor of 1847 Stonehaus Hives admits his intentions in the beginning were different from what they are now. Leibig was able to use the healing nature of the hive to recharge after returning from deployment and has set his sights on the future.
"I am exploring the earning potential of the hobbyist beekeeper, Leibig said. "I plan to spend my retirement years doing something I love."
Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems across the Department of Defense.
About 3,100 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Marylan. The command's mission is to research, develop, acquire, field and sustain communications, command, control computer, intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors capabilities for the armed forces.
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