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Ashe County Beekeepers
Thanks to all who attended our wonderful potluck at the park this past Thursday - what a fun time everyone had - and as always - the food was delicious!
I wanted to send out a reminder about the opportunity to visit "de la CRUZ" farms this coming Tuesday, July 25 - at 6:00 pm to see honey extracting done on a huge scale. Jeff Brookes, owner/operator at the farm has been beekeeping for many years, and has one of the largest inline commercial honey extractors in production. It is a fascinating and educational opportunity to see hundreds of frames of honey being extracted in an automated environment. You are welcome to come watch, ask questions, and just learn more about the honey process! Todd Swanson will be present, and if you follow this link to the farm website - you can see directions and more about what they do.
https://delacruzfarms.com/hooves-and-honey-store/
If you need directions, the "honey house" is across the street from the farm in Deep Gap and directly next door to the Deep Gap fire department.
Following the fun with extracting, Todd is bringing some ice cream and toppings so we can sit outside on the front porch and talk about all the fun things we have seen, or just ask questions to other beekeepers! It will be a fun event you won't want to miss! Come join us or call Todd Swanson at (704) 713-6357 for more details!
Don't miss this fantastic opportunity!
Wayne Pitts, President
Ashe County Beekeepers Association
Important Information from Ken Jenkins for President Wayne Pitts
July 9, 2023
ACBA Members:
The ACBA has started planning for next year and we’d like your input into the make-up of the Leadership Team. If you are interested in serving in one of the roles listed below or would like to nominate someone else, please respond to this email by July 19th. If you have questions about the roles or the nominations process, please contact Ken Jenkins (kmmjenkins13@gmail.com) or Jim (newbeek2014@gmail.com).
Leadership Roles:
• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Program Chairperson
• Board Member
Also, please check with David Tanner (Treasurer) at the next meeting about the status of your 2023 Membership Dues.
Ken Jenkins / Jim Rash
Photo Contest - Submit an Entry Today!
May 31, 2023 is the deadline for entries
ACBA members, and beekeepers who are residents in any of the following High Country counties (Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey)...be sure to open the attached, downloadable file and send in your entry to the Photo Contest...
Email: Mail to your entry (JPEG photograph required) to ACBA here:
ASHE COUNTY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION Meeting Minutes
April 13, 2023
President Wayne Pitts sent the following minutes from the subject meeting of the ACBA:
6:00 PM - Meeting Called to Order by Wayne Pitts, President
NEW BUSINESS
1. Wayne made a presentation about Bee Festooning.
2. The group was updated on the recent NC meeting.
3. Wayne shared plans for ACBA’s support of the Ashe 4H Program (9-17 year olds).
Currently working with the local 4H representative to discuss opportunities to coordinate
efforts. He requested volunteers to help with the effort.
4. Wayne discussed examples of waivers (not sponsored by ACBA), explaining how they
could be used and their limitations.
- a. Memo of Understanding - helps set expectations with homeowner if you are
removing bees from their property.
- b. Hold Harmless Agreement - example of agreement you can have with home
owner that explains inherent risks in the process.
5. Education Committee - Kim Pitts covered multiple education events the ACBA has
planned for the upcoming weeks/months including;
- a. April 22 - Old Store in Grassey Creek
- b. April 28 - Mt View Elementary School
- c. July 19 - Library
- d. Several others that will be sent to the members in an email over the next week.
- e. Volunteers are needed for each event.
6. Members were reminded to pay their annual $10 dues and support for scholarships.
7. Blake noted that ACBA had an approved space at the Farmer’s Market from 8:00-1:00
on August 19. Also currently planning the Environmental Education Day on September
12 from 9:00-2:00.
- a. Blake also discussed Surrey County BeeKeepers starting a new race of queens
and a bee yard and noted ACBA might consider a similar effort, noting that they
received a grant to cover part of the cost.
- b. Farmers Market is sponsoring a Seed Swap that would be of interest to the
ACBA members.
8. James Wilkes updated the group on a workshop at ASU on May 6 and gave instructions
on how to register.
9. Plans for Christmas in July were discussed, highlights included;
- a. Saturday July 1st
- b. Cost of space $125 and $25 application fee
- c. Motion to approve made by Todd Swanson / motion passed
- d. Todd S. noted he has a tent / table that could be used
- e. Kim P. will create a sign-up sheet.
10. Wayne discussed details of Photo Contest and received agreement from the group to
proceed with draft plans.
11. Wayne gauged interest in having a couple of field trips during the summer and received
positive feedback from the group.
12. Wayne summarized a variety of local / state / regional meetings and events that would
be of interest to the members.
13. Jim Rash requested volunteers for the Cluster Mentoring Program
14. Wayne moderated a discussion about the current state of the member’s bees.
PRESENTATIONS
Wayne kicked off an online presentation on ‘Probiotics’ by Megan Domico from UNC-G
● In summary - evidence and independent trials does not support claims made about the
benefits of Probiotics, so don’t waste your money.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00.
Submitted by Ken Jenkins / Secretary.
ACBA Meeting Notes
April 13, 2023
Hello to all,
I think we had a fine meeting last night! Thank you for your participation. I am attaching several files for your review. Here is what you need to know:
1. The rules for the ACBA Photo Contest are attached.
2. I've attached two documents that you can use if you have visitors to your apiary or if you capture swarms or do cutouts. I am NOT an attorney and these forms will not protect you if you are negligent.
3. I mentioned that there is an opportunity to participate in a beekeeping workshop at Appalachian State University on Saturday May 6. Participation is limited to 20 persons and will pay $300. A light breakfast and lunch are included. You must apply by clicking here.
4. If you are seeking a nuc, please let me know. I am aware of multiple persons with nucs available for the Spring.
5. Also, if you need a queens, let me know and I will send you details. We can also go in together and buy queens in bulk to save money on shipping, etc.
6. There are several volunteer opportunities with the education committee. We need you! Contact Kim Pitts kimpitts505@gmail.com if you are available to pitch in.
Best regards,
Wayne Pitts, President
ACBA April Meeting
April 13, 2023
Hello to all!
Finally, Spring is peeking through and I am so ready for it! I'm looking forward to seeing you all at the Ashe County Beekeepers Association Meeting this week. We'll be meeting on Thursday, April 13 at 6PM at the Asche County Cooperative Extension Office conference room. We have lots to discuss and an interesting presentation to share from Dr. Megan Damico on Probiotics for honey bees. We'll also learn more about festooning - not sure what that is? Come on out and we'll explain. See the attached agenda for more details.
As always, we appreciate donations for door prizes. We'll have pizza and soda beginning at 5:30PM. Also, if you haven't yet paid your 2023 dues, we invite you to find Treasurer David Tanner while you're at the meeting.
See you soon!
Wayne Pitts, President
Ashe County Beekeepers Association
Beekeeper Training Opportunity
March 31, 2023
HS Greene from Hidden Happiness called to let the Ashe County Beekeepers know that Robert Smith will be offering an advanced beekeeping course to help prepare for the NCBA Journeyman's exam beginning this weekend. As you may know Mr. Smith is on the Master Beekeeper Committee for the NC Beekeepers Association and that he is the one who prepares the study guides and online quizzes.
The class will meet at the Hidden Happiness Bee farm classroom at the following times:
Friday (3/31), 5-8PM
Saturday (4/1), 8AM-noon)
Friday (4/7) , 5-8PM
Saturday (4/8), 8AM-noon)
The cost is $100/person.
Hidden Happiness Bee Farm is located at Chestnut Mountain Rd, Deep Gap, NC 28618.
I'll be there, I hope you will too! Please let me know if you have questions about the event. Also, let me know if you plan to attend.
Happy apiaries,
Wayne Pitts
ACBA President
ACBA Meetings and Upcoming Classes for 2022 & 2023
November 10, 2022
Keep in mind that the ACBA will continue to meet through the winter, although with a bit different format for December, January, and February. For these three months, we will offer special workshops on intermediate beekeeping skills, many that are relevant to the Journeyman exam and practical exercises. The Winter Beekeeping Workshops (during regularly scheduled ACBA meetings) will include the following topics:
December 8: Honeybee Biology Anatomy, Social Organization, Bee Pests, and Bee Diseases
January 12: Beekeeping History, Equipment and Managing Honeybee Wellbeing, and Pesticides
February 9: Plants, Pollination, Harvesting and Marketing Honeybee Products, and NCSBA
FYI, Jim Rash will be leading an Advanced Beekeeping Class through Wilkes Community College (Ashe Campus) beginning in the Spring that will build on these topics and further prepare participants to seek certification and/or study their Journeyman Exam.
Best regards,
Wayne Pitts
ACBA President
New 2023 Officers
November 10, 2022
The new elected officers for 2023.
President - Wayne Pitts
Vice President - Todd Swanson
Secretary - Ken Jenkins
Treasurer - David Tanner
Program Director - Louise Rascoe
Board of Directors - Helen Baldwin, Jim Rash, (Teri Goodman has 2 years remaining on her term)
Oxalic Treatments for Varroa Destructor
December 3, 2022
A message from Wayne Pitts,
Hello to all,
What's Happening?
On December 3rd between 3PM and 5PM (weather permitting, i.e., temps above 37 and not precipitating), We will be treating our bee hives with Oxalic Acid using our Varrox Eddy vaporizer and you are invited to participate.
What to bring?
Please bring your bee suit, goggles, gloves, and an adequate respirator (here's a blog that might help you decide which respirator specifications you favor). I use a NIOSH-approved, full face mask respirator with the acid gas cartridge plus the particulate filter similar to this one. I encourage you to do your own research. Without a respirator, you should not attend.
Why we favor oxalic acid sublimation as part of our Integrated Pest Management approach:
Perfect for applications when there is little to no brood in the hive.
It's not a chemical treatment. It’s an organic acid found just about everywhere in the environment including in plants and vegetables.
It's 90-99% effective at killing the mites with minimal damage to the bees and brood.
Sublimation is far better at reducing mite populations and showed no increase in bee mortality than trickle methods.
It's not as temperature sensitive as some other treatments.
Note: EPA regulations have shifted but we do not use oxalic acid when supers are on.
Directions: Our apiary is located at 462 Woods on New River Road in Lansing. We're in the neighborhood called Woods on the New River just off Woods on New River Road. When you turn off onto the gravel road go about 1/2 mile. We are located on the second drive on the right. You'll see a package box at the bottom. The bee yard is about 1/3 mile up.
Contact details: My cell number is 901-262-2325 if you need additional directions.I also text.
Incentive: We would be happy to loan out the Varrox Eddy to others who would like to use oxalic sublimation to treat their hives. This is an opportunity to learn more and try it out before you buy one.
Best regards,
Wayne Pitts
ACBA will be at Christmas in July in West Jefferson
July 2, 2022
Hello to all,
It's official! Our application for the Christmas in July Festival was accepted on Friday.
WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS!
We need at least three people per two-hour shift. More is even better. Set up and clean-up are critically important slots. If you are not available to help, please stop by to say hello at the booth and refer others. We will be in Booth 52 and our load-in time is at 6AM at First Citizens Bank. Essentially, we need to unload, move our vehicles, and set up our booth as quickly as possible to allow other vendors to also set up (unloading time is 15 minutes).
Shift:
Volunteers
6AM-8AM, Set-up - Raven Crews
8AM-10AM - Ken Jenkins
10AM to Noon - Linda Katsoudas, Deborah and Craig Weinstein
Noon to 2PM - Louise Rascoe
2PM to 4PM - Jeff and Shirley Vestal
4PM-6PM, Clean-up - Raven Crews
Rovers (help at non-specific times) - Matt Rumfelt
Main objectives:
1. Educate the public about honeybees and beekeeping
2. Recruit new interest in the ACBA
3. Fundraise for the ACBA (t-shirt sales)
4. Create economic opportunities for beekeepers
Materials:
- Posters, handouts, etc. (Raven Crews)
- Cooler with Water & Ice (Wayne & Kim Pitts)
- Educational posters and demonstration hive (Jim Rash)
- T-shirts (Raven Crews)
- Honey and other products? So far, we do not have any. If you have something to sell, speak up.
- We will not have an observation hive – too stressful on the bees for a 10 hour outing in the summer heat. Feel free to refer learners to the Honey Hole to see Charlie and Shelley's hive.
This will be an important event for the ACBA - please help!
Best,
Wayne Pitts
ACBA President
ACBA Meetings for 2022 Underway
March 10, 2022
Photographs from the 1st meeting of the Ashe County Beekeeping Association are displayed here...
Visit the ACBA website regularly to keep abreast of Association activities for 2022.
The first gathering of the year attracted 23 active and interested beekeepers to the meeting at the Ashe County Agricultural Building in Jefferson, NC.
A presentation was made by master beekeeper and ACBA member Jim Rash (shown lower right) on "what to expect in your hives in March-April."
Thanks, Jim!
ACBA Marks the End of Another Year with Our Annual Banquet
November 11, 2021
As seen by the beautifully decorated cake (right), our end of the season banquet was held with a great turnout of members who also enjoyed a scrumptious brisket smoked by Randy Baldwin, as well as numerous side dishes so that no one “left hungry!”
We now go into diapause - entomologically speaking for hibernation - until March of next year. But that doesn’t mean we don’t stay connected with any beekeeping issues, so if there are questions about what you should be doing to keep your hive(s) healthy, drop us a line here!
Local Beekeeper Video
From ACBA member Helen Baldwin: I'm sharing a beautiful video done by Maddee Burt, a rising senior at UNC Chapel Hill.
- Maddee, along with other students, coaches, and professors, arrived in Ashe County last month to document some local stories. Maddee chose beekeeping.
- The video features our own Jim Rash and Kim and Wayne Pitts, new (and very productive!) members of ACBA.
- My Bee’s Keeper is just under 4 minutes long. You’ll be sorry when it ends!
Regular ACBA Meeting
August 12, 2021
- The ACBA held a regular membership meeting on August 12th...use the below link to see information on Facebook about the meeting during which H. S. Greene from Hidden Happiness Beekeeping Farm gave a presentation on hives.
Ashe County Beekeeping Association Regular Meeting
May 13, 2021
Journeyman beekeeper, Randy Baldwin of Jefferson, NC, Honey B's Bees and Honey spoke about catching swarms. Although sparsely attended, the meeting was held outdoors in the WJ Pavilion below the Ashe County Library. It was good to be back in person even though the temperature was a bit "nippy"!
Thanks, Randy!
Photo #1 (top right) - Demonstrating the set-up for catching swarms.
Photo #2 (bottom right) - Setting swarm-catching box on white towel (if swarm is low; white sheet if swarm is high).
Photo #3 (thumbnail photo right) - Swarm-catching bag - easy and effective!
HiveTracks for ACBA Members
May 14, 2020
Our thanks to James Wilkes for hosting the Zoom meeting this past Thursday. We had about a dozen attendees with the discussion focused on swarming, splits and queens. Following up on the meeting, a note from the HiveTracks team regarding free licenses for our members.
Thank you for letting me and the Hive Tracks team join in on this month's Ashe County Beekeepers Association club meeting! This is just a reminder about our previous discussion about us offering free Hive Tracks accounts to all ACBA club members. As mentioned above, all we need for club members to participate is to fill out this quick questionnaire https://forms.gle/rr5SE8HQkhiEX39X8- we will follow up with each member individually to get their account situated and/or up to date.
I'm here to help, so please feel free to contact me directly (ethan@hivetracks.com) with any questions.
We look forward to a successful 2020 season!
Best,
Ethan Walton
ethan@hivetracks.com
www.hivetracks.com
LET'S ALL WORK TO "SAVE THE BEES"
April 1-30, 2020
Here's an urgent message from Bee Informed Partnership
Dear Beekeepers,
This is an Urgent message from Bee Informed Partnership, we need your help!
A lot of you know that BIP’s annual National Colony Loss & Management Survey is live from April 1-30.
What a lot of you may NOT know is that despite the large amounts of Americans who are stuck at home, only a staggering 1/3rd of normal participating beekeepers have responded so far to the survey.
These are hard times to wrap our heads around and a lot of us are finding it harder to focus on things other than remembering to take a shower, making sure our teeth are brushed, and HOPEFULLY caring for our bees (one of my most welcomed distractions). While we are all still learning to navigate these new challenges, the BIP team is working hard to gather data on loss and management of honey bees from April 1, 2019 to April 1, 2020. In order to do that, we urgently need your help.
We’re writing to ask that all 2019 beekeepers visit beeinformed.org/take-survey and complete the 2019-2020 National Colony Loss & Management Survey!
BIP needs help raising awareness and encouraging participants to complete the survey! Please share this with your beekeeping clubs
From WCBA President Doug Hart
* The attached image shows a list of remote online resources to help beekeepers during the time when social distancing is made necessary due to the coronavirus pandemic.
* Stay safe and use these classes to help keep your bees healthy.
NUCs, NUCs and more NUCs!
March 24, 2020
* A posting from Pam Anderson of the Watauga Beekeeping Association...
* NUCS AND HIVES FOR SALE
- Sullivan Wilkes:
Sullivan Wilkes is taking deposits for 5 frame nuc in Jester E-Z nuc box. 3 frames of bees and brood, 1-2 frames of stores. 2020 queen (bred from our surviving stock). Will be ready to transfer immediately. Estimated pick up date TBT (most likely end of April) at Faith mountain farm and Millers Creek, NC. To reserve your nucs, a deposit can be purchased here https://faithmtnfarm.com/shop/bees/2020-5-frame-nuc/ Cost of the nuc is $175 with the balance due at pickup. If you have any questions you can contact Sullivan at sulli.wilkes@gmail.com
Sullivan Wilkes. Faith Mountain farms (Beekeeper)
Hive Tracks (Support specialist).
- Hidden Happiness Bee Farm/H.S. Greene:
I am taking orders for nucs know they are $175.00. They will be available in early April.
Contact info: moldings56@yahoo.com / 336-957-0275
- Larry Cox:
I will have a few five frame nucs available this spring. They will have an established laying marked VSH queen. Cost is $150; the same as last year. Availability depends somewhat on the weather, but sometime around the first part of May.
Larry Cox
336-467-4340
Coxlr1506@gmail.com
- Randy Baldwin:
Randy is offering two options:
If you have your own hive box, purchase just the bees (talk to him about details) for $150;
If you don’t already have woodenware, he will have a complete set-up available for $450. The set-up, with bees, will be a complete ‘deluxe’ hive, including super and frames, spacers, inner cover with feeder, mouse guard, and more. In addition, he will provide treatment for the first year and a ‘when-to-do-what’ calendar.
For more info: 336-977-9167
May 14, 2020
Our thanks to James Wilkes for hosting the Zoom meeting this past Thursday. We had about a dozen attendees with the discussion focused on swarming, splits and queens. Following up on the meeting, a note from the HiveTracks team regarding free licenses for our members.
Thank you for letting me and the Hive Tracks team join in on this month's Ashe County Beekeepers Association club meeting! This is just a reminder about our previous discussion about us offering free Hive Tracks accounts to all ACBA club members. As mentioned above, all we need for club members to participate is to fill out this quick questionnaire https://forms.gle/rr5SE8HQkhiEX39X8- we will follow up with each member individually to get their account situated and/or up to date.
I'm here to help, so please feel free to contact me directly (ethan@hivetracks.com) with any questions.
We look forward to a successful 2020 season!
Best,
Ethan Walton
ethan@hivetracks.com
www.hivetracks.com
Volunteer Opportunity
February 7, 2020
Toy Lambeth, Volunteer Services Coordinator, of the North Carolina Zoo sent the following request:
Subject: We Need More Beekeeper Volunteers
Good afternoon, Beekeeper Volunteers. I am looking forward to warmer days when the bees are buzzing and Volunteers are back at the Zoo. During the "off-season" I host monthly opportunities for new and prospective Volunteers to join our team.
I am reaching out to our active group of Beekeeper Volunteers asking you to share the attached with your local chapters to promote volunteer opportunities at the Zoo. You are our best source of advertisement and recruitment. I hope each of you will have an opportunity to share your experiences during one of your upcoming meetings, and encourage others to join us!
Interested? Click here: Calling all beekeeper volunteers...work at the Asheboro Zoo this year!!
Contact Toy Lambeth for more information.
Doug Galloway, NCSBA Mountain Region Director, also weighed in on Toy's message, as follows:
Hi All,
I have Volunteered at the NC Zoo Honey Bee Pavillion for the last 3 years. It is a tremendously rewarding experience, helping others appreciate the remarkable honey bee and becoming a better beekeeper. If you would pass this email from Toy Lambeth and the attachment along to your chapter members, I would appreciate it and know they would enjoy the experience
All the best and thank for your service to beekeepers.
In Memoriam
Eastern Apicultural Society of North America Master Beekeeper, Bob Cole passed away on February 6, 2020
Bob had been in Watauga hospital since January 12th and had been diagnosed with a brain tumor for which there was no help. He slept most of the time with some spells when he was alert and awake.
Information regarding a memorial service for Bob is provided in this link from his wife, Susan.
Please include Bob, Susan (and the bees!), and those caring for him in your thoughts and prayers.
Open the below, downloadable file to read a biographic review of Bob's remarkable professional life...
ACBA Member Recognition
* Our own Marna Napoleon received an award from the Ashe Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Customer Service! Marna works in the children’s department at the Ashe County Public Library and has helped me on more than one occasion.
* Congratulations, Marna!
ACBA regular meeting
October 10, 2019
* Greetings, and happy October!
* The featured speaker at the Thursday, October 10th meeting is Greg Fariss, NC Apiary Inspector for our area. Greg has spoken to our group several times, and while his presentation typically focuses on pests and diseases, he’s always been open to answer questions related to other matters.
* Hope to see you at the County Extension Office - meetings are held at the Ashe County Agricultural Center Office, located at 134 Government Center Drive, Jefferson, NC...meetings begin at 7 PM, but food (pizza and Maggie’s delicious treats) and good company are available at @ 6:30 PM :)
Other Notes:
* Dues for 2020 will be taken Thursday, so if you’d like to get that out of the way, Liam will be happy to oblige. Dues remain the same: Individual - $10, Family - $15.
* Incredible as it seems, this will be our final regular meeting of the year!!! Our annual end-of-the-year potluck dinner will be held next month (November 14), so mark the date! More info will be provided over the next few weeks.
3rd Annual Mite-a-Thon
September 7-21, 2019
* It's still not to late to participate in the 3rd Annual Mite-a-Thon.
* Open the link for all the particulars and JOIN THE COUNT!
Posts from Catch The Buzz – Bee Culture for 09/09/2019
Kim Flottum | Bee Culture
* The resulting varroa mite information will be published as described here.
Honey Meth??
Good Grief1
* See an article about an unfortunate traveler and the aftermath of his trying to bring honey via the BWI airport.
* Travelers beware!
Doug Hart Request
August 14, 2019
* Doug is in need of a dehumidifier to dry out some uncapped frames of honey.
* Is there anyone in our ACBA that could loan one to Doug for a few days? Thanks!
* Contact Doug at 954-682-3848 (C) or 828-386-1398 (H) or send him a message, e-mail = dskee@aol.com.
Miteathon!
September 7-14, 2019
* Open the below link to learn more about the "Miteathon" being held on the Pollinator.org website...
ACBA regular meeting
September 12, 2019
* The September regular meeting of the ACBA will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 7:00 PM.
* Here are some of the particulars:
- We had a fun time with Randy and his lesson on extracting last month! He put a few members to work practicing their extracting skills, including visitor Joel, the good-natured son of our president, Ken.
- Jim Rash will be the featured speaker at the meeting Thursday, and you won’t want to miss it! He’ll cover beekeeping month by month - what’s going on with the bees each month, and what we need to be doing. With winter approaching, this is particularly timely.
- Speaking of what the bees are doing now, Randy was called to get a swarm yesterday, and he did a split. First time for either (for him, anyway) in September.
- First time happening for me was a lulu of a sting in the temple a couple of weeks ago. I apparently unwittingly walked smack dab in the path of a 'girl on a mission' who had built up so much momentum, the stinger was buried deeper than usual. I don’t know if that set off the systemic reaction or not, but when the crazy itching and red rash appeared on my arms and trunk, I landed in the ER, where I received the works and orders to get an Epi-pen. The nurse in charge relayed an incident with another woman with a ‘reaction’ who also had no trouble breathing, but by the time she was whisked to the exam room, they feared they might have to intubate her.
- Meanwhile, our visiting daughter missed out on the hurricane excitement in Charleston but was stung in the upper eyelid while standing in what she thought was a relatively safe zone. She didn’t have a systemic reaction, thank goodness, but the time spent trying to get the/a bee out of her hair delayed the removal of the stinger about a minute. She decided the hurricane would have been preferable.
- Meanwhile, Part 2, one of our members, Shelia, reported that her son had been stung a few times on the hand while helping work in the hives and also had a bad reaction. Benadryl was sufficient for him this time, but they’ll be on the alert for a potential next sting.
- If you haven’t subscribed to Bee Culture it’s loaded with info! This looks like it might be a particularly enticing article, so check it out!
- The Autumn Leaf Festival will be held at the Museum of Ashe County History on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10-2. If you have something bee- and/or honey-related (or maybe even something else?), please come out! We’ll have a table or two (or three) set up with honey, products made with beeswax, etc., in the ‘bee’ section, and we’ve always had plenty of room for expansion :) There is no fee for participating in this festival, which has always been fun, and you keep all of the proceeds from what you sell. If you haven’t had a chance to take a peek inside the museum, this is a great opportunity to see what an incredible museum we have. Click here to learn more about the festival, but ignore the date in the link - it’s outdated! If you don’t have anything to show and/or sell but would like to come help, PLEASE DO! It’s great fun to meet folks, and the 4 hours pass quickly. For more info, contact me via email or phone (336-982-8289).
- Besides all the eggs Teri Goodman has graciously brought to the past few meetings for door prizes, Doug Ehrhardt brought a bag full of hive tools and other treasures to hand out as door prizes. Everyone should win SOMEthing this time - a bonus reason for coming!
* Meetings are always held on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Ashe County Agricultural Center Office located at 134 Government Center Drive in Jefferson, NC (click here to open a map, if needed).
ACBA regular meeting
June 13, 2019
* The June regular meeting of the ACBA will be a "cookout, shop tour, demonstrations and bee supplies for sale at HS Greens's Hidden Happiness Bee Farm located at 1106 Chestnut Mountain Rd, Deep Gap,NC 28618.
* Click here for a map to Hidden Happiness Bee Farm.
* Send Maggie McClelland an e-mail below and include a head count of attendees as well as the pot luck side dish you plan to bring to the cookout...
* Alternatively, you can call Maggie at 336-982-4104.
ACBA Regular Meeting
May 9, 2019
* The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on May 9, 2019 beginning @ 7:00 PM...in support of early arrivals, there will be food as well as a Q&A session, if desired.
* Lyn Soeder is our guest speaker; her topic is bee-friendly plants. To say she's multi-talented is an understatement! We’re excited to have her talk about bee-friendly plants, and not only will she be talking about them, she’ll also be selling some! Click on the below downloadable files: first attachment for flowers, shrubs and trees, the second for tomatoes. Tomato plants are $3/each; prices vary for the rest.
IMPORTANT!!! If you’d like to order something from Lyn’s lists, you must contact HER (mathomhous@gmail.com) before noon on Thursday so she’ll know to bring your item(s) to the meeting.* Meetings are always held on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Ashe County Agricultural Center Office (click to open a map, if needed), located at 134 Government Center Drive in Jefferson, NC.
Other important news for the meeting:
* The drawing of the raffle for a hive built by Randy Baldwin, a 7-frame or 10-frame hive (winner's choice), will be held at the conclusion of the meeting.
*HS will have swarm catchers available for purchase, and pick up a free swarm lure and the recipe print out when you arrive.
* As in prior years, the ACBA is making a host of information available to both our members and others visiting our website of many important resources. Click here to open/read/print a document that can be utilized all year to make your own beekeeping efforts successful.
* Thanks in advance for your participation in ACBA and for helping to make sure it continues to assist local beekeepers and our bees, wherever possible.
MORE NEWS!
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Raffle tickets for the complete hive (built by Randy Baldwin) will be available thru the end of the meeting Thursday, at which time the drawing will be held! You do not need to be present to win; however, the winner will have a say in how a few parts of the hive are finished, and Randy will be on hand to discuss options. Ticket prices: $5/each, 3/$10. Many thanks to Doug Ehrhardt for once again providing us with beautiful raffle tickets!
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If you haven’t already paid your dues, Liam will be taking those up.
ACBA membership: $10 - individual, $15 - family.
NCSBA (optional): $15/person. New dues and renewals can be made online.
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Door prizes will be given away. If you’d like to donate something for a door prize, let Maggie know, or just bring it!
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Our June meeting (13th) will be a cookout at Hidden Happiness Bee Farm! H.S. Greene will prepare hot dogs and hamburgers, and members will provide sides, condiments, desserts, etc. Please contact Maggie at mmcclelland@skybest.com no later than June 10 to RSVP and to sign up for an item to bring (a reminder with more info and directions will be sent out. You can also find directions on the HHBF web site). If you haven’t been to H.S.’ bee farm store, this is a great opportunity! It’s beautifully done.
Ashe County Beekeeping Association
May 9, 2019
* Lyn Soeder was our guest speaker at the May meeting of the ACBA. As part of her presentation, Lyn recommended an excellent resource for information about plants that are friendly for bees and beekeepers...check it out.
Ashe County Beekeeping Association
May 9, 2019
* RAFFLE WINNER!
* Congratulations to beekeeper and ACBA treasurer, Liam Jerkins who was the winner of the complete 10 frame hive made by Randy Baldwin at the regular meeting raffle drawing on May 9...
* Thanks to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket, or tickets, to help with funds for our ACBA!
ACBA Membership Roles
2019
- It is known that many ACBA members are no longer attending meetings, at least on a regular basis. Also, quite a few of you have lost bees, and as such, are either out of the bee business or trying to become better prepared before getting the next batch of bees.
- Another reason is that some of you who still have bees no longer drive at night, some attend bee meetings closer to home, some are working too hard, or some just don’t like meetings :)
- Whether you're interested in remaining on the ACBA mailing list for 2019 or NOT, please send an e-mail to Helen Baldwin to inform her as soon as possible so the necessary adjustments can be made.
- Emails pertain to meeting reminders, information sharing and ACBA/NCSBA announcements.
- Thank you!
Protective Measures of Beehives durring Hurricanes (Florence)
September 11, 2018
* With the track of hurricane Florence poised to make a significant impact on North Carolina, there are some important considerations for beekeepers who may be affected by the heavy rain and winds. Please further disseminate to your local network of beekeepers and share this link: https://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/2017/09/protective-measures-of-beehives-during-hurricanes-2/
* First, make sure hive equipment is secured to resist strong winds. A simple brick on the top lid is likely to be insufficient to keep the lid from flying off in winds above 50 mph. A lidless hive can cause problems for the bees by introducing moisture and letting heat escape. Strapping the lid down with ratchet straps or securing with duct tape might be in order, particularly for outlying yards. The same is true for hive boxes, particularly if they are relatively new (i.e., the bees have not yet propolized them together sufficiently). Also consider removing unnecessary boxes (e.g., top-hive feeders) to minimize the wind profile.
* Second, be sure to have the hives on sturdy stands or level ground. Entire beehives can be blown over by strong winds, particularly when they are fairly tall with many honey supers or are otherwise top heavy. If the hives are on tall or insecure stands, you can move them onto (dry) level ground temporarily to lessen the chances that they topple. Importantly, if you’re using solid bottom boards, be sure to have your hives tilting forward so that rain water does not pool and collect on the floor of the hive.
* Third, beware of falling trees and tree limbs. These can be particularly problematic for beehives since they can completely crush all equipment and kill the entire colony. It is also hard to prevent with some sort of barrier or cover because of the sheer weight of many trees, so if you apiary is in a wooded location you may need to move the hives temporarily.
* Fourth, make sure the hives are not in low-lying areas or those prone to flooding. River banks can be useful apiary locations because of their proximity to fresh water, but in flooding conditions entire apiaries can be tragically swept away. Be sure to move any beehives in flood plains until the waters have subsided. Beehives on the ground but in recessed areas can cause water to flood the entrances and may even suffocate the bees if not given an upper entrance.
* Finally, following heavy rains like hurricanes, various local and state agencies have traditionally sprayed regions with stagnant water to control mosquito outbreaks. While important for public health, such insecticides can be extremely problematic for honey bees. If you are registered through the NCDA&CS, you will be contacted directly if your beehives are in an area schedule to be sprayed. If you are not registered, however, the state has no means to notify you and your bees may be at risk to insecticide exposure. Please consult the Agricultural Chemical manual for information and advice about how to mitigate exposure to pesticides.