Building a Layens support network in the Midwest

I’ve been reading through the older bee threads here on Layens, Long Langs, top bars, natural beekeeping, and where to start.

I’m leaning pretty hard toward Layens. The horizontal layout, deep frames, less lifting, wintering idea, and slower management style all make sense to me. I’m not trying to force production. I’m trying to build toward bees in a way I can actually keep up with.

The part I’m trying to solve now is support.

I’m in the Omaha / northwest Missouri area. I joined the local bee club, but most nearby support seems Langstroth-based. I do know one experienced Layens beekeeper a few hours away, which helps, but I’m trying to find the wider support network before I buy the first hive.

For people using Layens or other horizontal hives in the U.S., where have you found real support?

Books, forums, suppliers, regional beekeepers, online groups, build plans, wintering advice, parts sources, nuc/package options, anything like that.

I’m especially interested in the stuff that does not show up clearly from vendor pages. What do you wish you had known before starting Layens?