Orange County Beekeepers Association

OCBA meeting minutes-November  10, 2011  7:00 pm

1.    John called the meeting to order and welcomed the group. He called for a Treasurer’s Report.

2.    Dick announced that new membership begins in January.  He provided applications for membership to those present.  He mentioned that the short Intro to Beekeeping course, which took place on Saturday, November 5, brought a net profit of $500 to the club.  This money may be used to provide equipment and materials for 4-hers interested in beekeeping.  He also stated that the club has received $100 in winnings from the summer meeting, which may be used to buy equipment.

3.     ‘Lizabeth called roll.  There were eighteen members and two guests present tonight.

4.    John opened the floor for nominations for officers for the 2012 year.  Todd Walker was nominated for the office of President.  No others names were offered.  He was elected unanimously.  Geneva Greene was nominated for the office of Vice President.  No other names were offered.  She was also elected unanimously.  ‘Lizabeth Collins was nominated for the office of secretary.  No other names were offered.  She was  elected unanimously.  Dick Merritt was nominated for the office of treasurer.  No other names were offered.  He was  elected unanimously.  The office of director (three year) is open, and Chris Richmond was nominated to fill it.  No other names were offered.  He was elected unanimously.  Congratulations to the new officers, and thanks to those who served and are rotating off.

5.    Geneva shared info about the intro to beekeeping class offered last Saturday.  There were 48 participants who attended from 9 am to noon.  Many expressed an interest in attending the January Bee School in 2012.  This year, the Orange County Bee School will be held on Tuesday nights, from 7 to 9 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, beginning on January 10.  Space is limited to 50-70 participants, who will be able to register on-line soon and prepay.  Cost is $50 which includes the book.  There will be two field days.

6.    Todd reported that he has met with Craig Tucker, Orange County extension agent who works with 4-H to set-up guidelines for sponsoring two Orange County 4-Hers at Bee School and providing each with tools and equipment to manage a hive of bees for one year.  Another part of our commitment will be to mentor each student for the year.  Tentatively, each 4-Her must be recommended by a 4-H agent; must successfully attend bee school; must keep bees continuously for two years; must meet with mentors; must allow photo & info to be used for publicity.

7.    Marty asked Geneva to clarify a remark about needing mentors for bee school participants, and she reiterated that it is important that the “newbees” to beekeeping have some guidance as they complete the school and embark on the actual process of beekeeping.  Dick reminded all that each of us might not know a whole heck of a lot, but at least we know more than the average “newbee”.  There will be an attempt to match up mentors and newbees by geographic proximity.

8.    Geneva asked for volunteers to weed and cut back the perennials at the Pollinator Garden at the Hillsborough Visitors Center.  ‘Lizabeth volunteered.

Todd presented a slide show, challenging member to tell him “What’s Going On Here?”  Most of the photo depicted problems in the hive, and he briefly discussed what to do to correct the problems.

There was a reminder to club members that at the December 8th meeting there is no business but eating and fellowship.  The meeting will be a Pot Luck meal—bring a dish to share!  We will meet at 6 pm.  Those who wish to participate in a just-for-fun gift exchange should bring a wrapped gift ($10 limit, could be bee-related but isn’t required).  Participants will draw numbers for the order of selecting a gift.  This is fun!

Members enjoyed refreshments and fellowship following the meeting.

Respectfully submitted, ‘Lizabeth Collins

OCBA meeting Minutes- September 8, 2011  7:00 pm

1. John called the meeting to order and welcomed the group.  He announced that he had found wax moths in a few of his hives on inspection today, and was advised to combine those colonies with stronger ones.
2. ‘Lizabeth called roll.  Then she appealed to the group for a volunteer to take the minutes at the October meeting as she will not be able to attend.  Geneva was kind enough to volunteer.
3. Dick pointed out NC membership cards for new members which he has received.  Please look for yours on the back table, or see Dick following the meeting.
4. John called on Don Hopkins to tell about the NC State Fair.  Don brought his volunteer schedule for manning the education booth at the Fair in shifts of four hours over the ten days that the Fair will be open, Friday (Oct. 14) through Sunday (Oct. 23).  You can call Don on his cell (919.218.3310, but it might be better to call him at home (336.376.8250).
5. In the absence of Saundra, ‘Lizabeth reported that the State Fair Booth committee is working diligently.  Any one who wishes to help set/tear down, please contact Saundra (596.9955).  All are encouraged to complete entries in every category they like as the deadline for registration is September 23 for honey and bee related products.
6. John asked for volunteers to set up at Bugfest in Raleigh on Saturday, September 17, at the Museum of Natural Science.  Call Jennifer at the bee yard lab (919.513.7702

Todd introduced the speaker, Dr. John Ambrose, NCSU professor and researcher, who discussed the results of a collaborative effort to develop a NC State Standard for Honey.  The collaborators were NCSU, the Cooperative Extension Service, NC Farm Bureau, and NC Dept. of Agriculture.  Although almost every other country in the world has a standard of identity of honey, the US doesn’t, and it wasn’t until last year that NC had one.  NC’s standard for honey was based on one developed by Florida.  The key purpose of the new standard is to stop the sale of adulterated honey (most adulterated honey has corn syrup added to it) and to stop the sale of honey mislabeled as to floral source (i.e. honey labeled “sourwood” which doesn’t contain 51% of pollen from that particular flower). Dr. Ambrose pointed out the three items which every honey label in NC should have:  the correct name of the food, the source/contact information, and the net weight.  You can view a copy of the honey standard at the state association website.

Two volunteers at the meeting accepted Dr. Ambrose’s challenge to see if they could taste the difference between two honey products, one containing only honey and the other also containing corn syrup.  We were pleased that both of our volunteers were correctly able to taste the difference.

Dr. Ambrose answered a few questions before he was thanked with a round of applause.

1. John agreed to follow up on a question about the January 2012 Bee School with a meeting of those involved.
2. The Introduction to Beekeeping course is set for Saturday, November 5, from 9 to noon.  Preregistration is on theorba website.
3. The next meeting will be November 10 , 2011, at 7 pm.  A volunteer is needed to provide refreshments.  Please email ‘Lizabeth (elizabeth.b.collins@gmail.com).

Members enjoyed refreshments and fellowship following the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

‘Lizabeth Collins

OCBA meeting Minutes- August 11, 2011  7:00 pm

1. In the absence of both John Harrell and Todd Walker, Geneva greeted members and guests so that ‘Lizabeth could take minutes.  She thanked the Fesels and Don Hopkins for the very successful and fun workshop held last weekend at the Fesels’.
2. Geneva announced that the preparations for the “Introduction to Beekeeping” course are on track.  She offered a few flyers and pointed out that the information is now on the OCBA website, with early registration to begin on September 5.
3. She also pointed out that there needs to be an Orange County Bee School in January.  Geneva mentioned that many bee schools match up newbees to more experienced beekeepers during the school, and she hoped that OCBA would volunteer as mentors for bee school participants next year.  Volunteers to help prepare for Bee School should contact Geneva.
4. Sandra reported that the State Fair Booth committee had just meet and decided on a theme.  She asked if anyone had or knew of the location of a bee skep, and Eva Hoke responded that she had one.
5. ‘Lizabeth called roll.  We have 96 members!
6. Dick pointed out the membership cards for folks who joined recently.  Also he mentioned the hats and patches that are for sale.
7. Lewis mentioned this is the time for sampling for varroa mites using the sugar shake method.  Although he was born in South Carolina, Lewis is pleased to be keeping bees in North Carolina because there is a big difference between the two states in the amount and kind of support offered beekeepers.  Three of NC’s six bee inspectors were present at the OCBA meeting.

Lewis also introduced the speaker, Adolphus Leonard, NC bee inspector in the coastal region, who presented a slide show and discussion on “Fall and Winter Management.”  The most obvious things to look for are a queen, brood, an adequate supply of stored food, and the absence of disease.  Treat for diseases in the fall so that your colony will be at optimal strength in the spring.  Every colony will have some mites, so test for the threshold number and treat these pests.  He mentioned many kinds of treatment: Apistan, CheckMite-Plus, Formic Acid, Apiguard, ApiLifeVar, Hivastan, and even powdered sugar.  Check for foulbrood and small hive beetle infestations.

Each colony needs food stores equal to at least 30 lbs. of honey.  Feed the colony before cold weather begins, as it is less stressful on the bees.  Feed thick or heavy syrup (ratio of 60/40 or 70/30 sugar to water).  Beekeepers should not be splitting hives after July as this weakens both hives.  It is important to have enough bees to make a large cluster for warmth in order to get them through the winter successfully.  Instead, combine weak colonies in the fall.

Other tasks for fall include storing hive bodies and supers so that wax moths do not find them, taking off the queen excluder if you used one, reducing the entrance to the hive, and making sure the top cover is ventilated.  An interested fact is that winter bees are actually different from the summer bees.  Winter bees can live as long as six months, have higher fat and protein in their bodies, and need high quality food such as pollen.  Adolphus  suggests that you feed dry pollen as small hive beetles love pollen patties.  He also stated that it is easier to re-queen in the spring than in the fall due to supply of queens and abundance of food for expansion.

1. Ken Medlin announced that he had several bags of bee mix for sale at $3.50/bag.
2. Fred Fezel offered two treatments of Miteaway for sale.
3. Lewis offered free hardware cloth patches to be used to check for mites with the sugar shake method.
4. Eva Hoke brought Bee Culture magazines, if anyone wants one.
5. Toni Fezel brought a few items that were left at her house from the workshop last weekend.
6. Chris Richmond announced that he heeded a volunteer to help with a smarm up a tree.
7. The next meeting will be September 8, 2011, at 7 pm.  A volunteer is needed to provide refreshments.  Please email ‘Lizabeth (elizabeth.b.collins@gmail.com).

Members enjoyed refreshments and fellowship following the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

‘Lizabeth Collins

OCBA Meeting Minutes- July 14, 2011 7:00 pm
1. John welcomed members and guests and briefly relected on the summer meeting in Town of Elon held last week and the Festival on the Eno. Lewis passed around a frame of Purple Brood, possibly caused by a plant not usually accessible to honey bees in Orange County.
2. Wattie announced a Hive Inspection Workshop to be held on Saturday, August 6, at the home of Toni and Fred Fesel. State Inspector Don Hopkins will conduct the workshop, which will be followed by a potluck supper. OCBA will supply buns and burgers or hot dogs; participants will provide side dishes and beverages. The workshop will begin at 3:30 pm and we’ll wrap things up by 7 pm. Elisabeth Curtis asked if someone would be willing to videotape the workshop; Dave volunteered.
3. Next Wattie announced that Geneva will conduct an Introduction to Beekeeping course, primarily for people who are interested in becoming beekeepers, at the beginning of November. The workshop will be at the Unitarian Church with registration from 8:30 to 9 am and class from 9 to noon. The date will be determined soon.
4. John was understandably disappointed that the Golden Achievement Award at the Summer Meeting went to Johnson County. However, the three clubs in competition for the Chapter of the Year “tied,” and Orange was recognized for service with a check for $300; Brushy Mountain also contributed a check for $100. OCBA members are encouraged to record (text and photos) any and all public service events throughout the year, and turn them over to ‘Lizabeth (club secretary).
5. Sandra K. committed to head up the State Fair booth committee and requested many volunteers to help. Contact her to help.
6. John pointed out that the club extractor has seen some use this summer. Some comments were made about its portability and stability. Fred suggested that one member be in charge of the extractor’s coming and going, and he volunteered to take on that job. Sandra suggested a calendar on the OCBA website to show the dates that the extractor is reserved. Geneva pointed out that other equipment—specifically the observation hive—could benefit from the same type of policy. Wattie stated that there should be a deposit in addition to the $5/day fee, which could be used to insure that the extractor is returned in a clean, mechanically sound condition. Geneva shared her dream of having a club site with areas for meeting, extracting honey, and storing equipment.
7. Dick’s treasury report : $2489.39/checking; $800.45/money market; $25.43/shares ($2,318.27 total).
8. ‘Lizabeth recorded members present and encouraged guests to sign in.
9. John asked for volunteers to help extract bee swarms/colonies in structures.
Todd introduced our speaker, Dick Rogers, who discussed bee health investigations. “Honeybees are the sparkplugs of agriculture,” was the opening statement of his presentation. We learned that seventeen states have the honey bee as their state insect, that Bayer has a research apiary called Beesboro in Clayton, NC, that Hive Tracks is a free record keeping program for beekeepers, and that there are two hives at Duke Homestead in Durham (beekeepers needed to help there). He suggested some solutions to the honey bee health crisis and discussed the following: monitoring, IPM for bee pests, integrated bee management, supportive agriculture policies, attitudes, and communication of ideas.
Members enjoyed fellowship together following the meeting. Volunteers are needed to provide refreshments at the September , October and November meetings. Sandra volunteers to provide August’s refreshments (Thanks, Sandra!)
Respectfully submitted,
‘Lizabeth Collins

OCBA  Meeting Minutes-June 9, 2011       7:00 pm

1.       John welcomed members and guests  and called the meeting to order.  He thanked volunteers who helped with the events in Chapel Hill and Durham the last weekends in May, and reminded everyone about the summer meeting the second weekend in July (info on web site).

2.        ‘Lizabeth called roll, and asked guests, visitors and non-members to sign in.

3.       Dick announced the total in the bank currently is $2,934. He also mentioned that the club has ball caps for sale for $3 each and OCBA patches for $2 each.

4.       John next opened the floor for questions or stories about bees and bee yards.  One observer reported seeing fewer bees with pollen going in his hives.  John pointed out that the nectar flow is winding down in our area; Lewis pointed out that the dry weather is making a difference, too.  Another new beekeeper asked about feeding new hives.  John immediately said yes, and Lewis added that bees should be fed if the foundation in frames isn’t drawn out.  John mentioned the Swarm Patrol—especially Chris Richmond—has been great about getting bees out of houses.  Anyone else who is interested in helping to capture swarms and getting more bees should contact John or Chris.  Dolly offered a “recipe” for any insect sting: ammonia on a cotton ball will neutralize venom & an ice cube will reduce pain and swelling.  Fred asked if anyone knew of a cheap source of sugar for syrup; the consensus was WalMart or Cosco.  Lewis reminded members of the club extractor; contact Lewis if you wish to borrow it.

Todd Walker introduced Todd and Monica Warner of Carolina Bee Company, Youngsville, NC.  This married couple founded the company in 2005 and discussed their efforts at making a go of beekeeping as a business.  This informative presentation included slides and some great points.  First step is to make a business plan.  After working the plan, it may need to be adjusted, but having a contract about the business is very helpful.  Todd and Monica began with two hives and, through splits and capturing swarms, have increased to their current 50 hives.  They have recently become certified naturally grown (2010) and are now experimenting with top bar hives.  Their business is primarily based on products such as soap and other health/beauty products, candles, and even a wood finish.  Todd strongly recommends “advertising” to the public by wearing bee apparel.  He also stressed that the business must have a website.  Along with the website, the Warners have an on-line store and a blog.  Todd suggested getting on social media as well. Monica has begun raising queens as part of a small co-op of bee breeders in Franklin County.  As certified naturally grown (which applies only to honey), the Warners bees are mostly chemical-free.  The goal there is to promote healthy bees and honey, although honey is only a small part of their business. Other recommendations for enterprising bee business people are to do festivals; do honey tastings; set up a retail outlet.

5.       Watty announced a workshop/pot luck at the Fezel’s home on August 6.  Will Hicks will demonstrate examining a hive.  Please look for more information and directions on the web site.

6.       Next meeting will be Thursday, July 14, at 7 pm.

Members enjoyed fellowship and refreshments together.

Respectfully submitted,

‘Lizabeth Collins

OCBA  Meeting Minutes-May 12, 2011       7:00 pm

1.       John greeted everyone and called the meeting to order.

2.       Announcements: Lewis announced that the Piedmont Wildlife Center anticipates a possible weather problem for Saturday, but that he and Chris will set up the bee cage.  The link for information and directions are on the website/calendar.  Also this Sunday at the Hillsborough Visitor Center, the Pollinator Garden dedication is scheduled for 2 pm. The mayor will speak and our club president will participate in the ribbon-cutting.  Eva brought an article on Lewis which was in the Carrboro Citizen on 5-11-11.  She reported that News of Orange is interested in doing a feature article on OCBA.  Geneva announced that the Hillsoborough Garden Tour this weekend is in need of volunteers; call the welcome center if interested.  Lewis plans to set up for Magic Wings at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham the following Saturday.  Volunteers to answer questions and man the booth are needed.  Chris Richmond reported on the easiest swarm capture: he got a call from the Coke plant on Hillsborough Road in Durham.  The bees were only about four feet off the ground on the side of the building, and he was given a couple of cases of Coke, too.

3.       ‘Lizabeth called roll, and asked guests, visitors and non-members to sign in.

4.       Dick mentioned that the reason for the picky recordkeeping is qualifying for the Golden Achievement Award.  He also mentioned that the club has ball caps for $3 each and OCBA patches for $2 each.

John turned the program over to State Bee Inspector, Will Hicks, who spoke about managing hives.  He asked what should beekeepers do when the spring flow winds down?  The surprising answer is “Think about winter.”  In order to have your hives healthy and happy going into winter, there are jobs that a beekeeper needs to address before fall.  One is treating mites to reduce the population.  Beekeepers can use organic treatments, such as drone brood removal and sugar dusting, or chemical treatments.  Another task that shouldn’t be put off is checking on the queen to be sure she is healthy.  In other words, is she laying good brood?  You can offer pollen in August, but beware: if the bees don’t eat it, the hive beetles will!  If you take honey, leave enough for the bees to overwinter (the equivalent of a super).  Will reminded us of how lucky we are to have six bee inspectors in the state of NC.  His job falls under the Department of Agriculture and part of the job is to insure that NC bees are clean and safe from disease, especially American Foulbrood.  He also assists beekeepers with classes, presentations, phone calls, or by conducting inspections on site.  In answering questions about transporting bees through the state, Will pointed out that our state law requires migratory bees to be either refrigerated or netted as they travel through our borders.  Another question: When do you add a super? and Will responded, “When the bees are occupying and drawing out a least one half to three/fourths of the super.”

5.        Next meeting will be Thursday, June 9, at 7 pm.

Members enjoyed fellowship and refreshments together.

Respectfully submitted,

‘Lizabeth Collins