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
Author Archive
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
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
May 2011
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
Apr 2011
OCBA Meeting Minutes-April 14, 2011 7:00 pm
1. John called the meeting to order in the parking lot (because door to the usual meeting area was locked). Chris reported that he captured a swarm in Cary; Lewis reported capturing a swarm in the walls of a home, using a thermal imaging gadget; he also reported that Burwell School had a swarm. John asked Lewis to tell what he takes with him to collect a swarm. The truck with its locker full, a bucket on a long stick, the bee vacuum, queen cages, boxes/supers/nucs—all of these are some of what Lewis takes along.
2. Before we re-assembled inside (thanks to Todd), Lewis showed the group a frame he’d found in one of his hives this spring. The frame showed a distinctive random pattern of brood and perforated cappings. It was identified as sac brood, a virus infection. He has removed the frames, destroyed the bees, and will eventually re-establish a colony with the go-ahead of the inspectors.
3. ‘Lizabeth called roll of members, and asked guests, visitors and non-members to sign in.
4. Dick Merritt, treasure, reported that the current balance was $2,374. There was a mix-up with some of the State Fair funds ($218) but he expects that to be resolved shortly. See Dick for membership forms.
5. John called on Watty to report on scheduled events coming up. (These events are posted on the website.) Watty thanked Jim and Eva Hoke for hosting the last workshop on hiving packaged bees, and reminded the group that Lewis would be hosting the next workshop on Saturday, May 7, on Nucs, at 10 am.
John turned the program over to Todd, who introduced Dr. Mike Simone-Finstrom of NCSU, formerly of the University of Minnisota. Mike discussed his on-going research on how bees fight disease and stress. His research looks at propolis: how and why bees use it, both individually and as a social community. Bees do collect resin from plants, from which they can make propolis. In the wild, some insects including bees, use resin/propolis for nest construction. Common trees for resin are poplar, cottonwood, aspen, birch, alder, and (in our area) pine. Propolis has a link to human health, and is a common ingredient in many Asian products, probably because it is an antibacterial, antifungal, and antivirus. Lab studies have tested using propolis in bee hives against varroa, chalkbrood, and American foul brood with some results. Bees don’t normally eat propolis; feral bees cover the interior of their hive with a thin layer of propolis before constructing comb, sealing cracks and holes. Bees have also enclosed or embalmed mice or other intruders in propolis inside the colony. Foraging for resin is more time consuming and takes more energy for bees, so wy do bees do it? Mike’s research is trying to find answers to this and other questions.
6. Eva brought Japanese maple volunteers that she potted up to sell for the benefit of the club. ($2/pot)
7. Lewis brought the fumigated donated equipment from Debbie Roose to the meeting to be auctioned.
deep hive body, 10 frames John H $7 hive body, 6 frames Cecil $9 batch: bee escape telescoping top inner cover Todd $4 sliding rack, Henry shim Ron $1 deep hive body Chris $7 deep hive body John $7 medium with frames Cecil $12
shallow with frames Cecil $10 X 2
“ “ “ Dan $10
“ “ “ Robert $10
medium with frames John H $8
bee escape Todd $1
shallow with 9 frames Cecil $10
medium with 10 frames Mike $8
“ “ “ John H $8
medium with 8 frames John H $7
approx. 40 sheets deep foundation Cecil $30
approx. 20 sheets shallow foundation Watty $13
approx. 20 sheets medium foundation Lewis $15
landing board Elisabeth C $6
box of stuff John H $20
8. Next meeting will be Thursday, May 13, at 7 pm.
Members enjoyed fellowship and refreshments together.
Respectfully submitted,
‘Lizabeth Collins
Mar 2011
OCBA Meeting Minutes-March 10, 2011 7:00 pm
John called the meeting to order and reported on the spring meeting in Dallas, NC . He attended workshops and received tips on overwintering bees, the history of bees, information on the products of the hive. Dick shared a website with an on-line system of beekeeping called “hive tracks.” The summer meeting this year will be held in Elon the second weekend in July.
1. ‘Lizabeth called roll of members, and asked guests, visitors and non-members to sign in.
2. Dick Merritt, treasure, reported that the current balance was $2,320; OCBA has 47 current members and most of those are also members of the state association.
3. John presented Lewis Cauble with his Certificate of Master Beekeeper.
4. Watty had no new information to offer about workshops.
5. Elisabeth Curtis reported that she and another member have worked on a list of plants that attract bees which was going to be offered in conjunction with the Southern States workshop. The list may be compiled into a pamphlet and offered separately.
6. Person County’s bee field day is to be held on Saturday, March 12.
7. Watty told members about finding a nice DVD on top bar hives and he recommends those interested check out the site: backyardhive.com.
John turned the program over to Geneva Green, who presented “The Best Way to Learn about Bees is to Teach about Bees (and have fun at the same time)”. Geneva has prepared many aids for members who are willing to give presentations to schools or clubs, including power point presentations, folders of materials to copy for hand-outs, and CD’s. She has also collected posters related to bee anatomy, a model of a honey bee, and the observation hive. Geneva also reviewed the following upcoming events at which OCBA volunteers are needed:
a. Hiving Packaged Bees , Saturday, April 9, at Jim and Eva Hoke’s bee yard (102 Stormridge Drive, Chapel Hill)
b. Using Nucs and Making Splits, Saturday, May 7 (TBA)
c. Piedmont Wildlife Festival , Saturday, May 14, from 11 am to 6 pm (364 Leigh Farm Road, Durham (volunteers needed in shifts to man OCBA’s booth)
d. Dedication of Pollinator Garden, Sunday, May 15, Dickson House on Churton Street, Hillsborough
e. Magic Wings at Museum of Life and Science, Saturday, May 21 (433 West Murry Avenue, Durham (volunteers needed in shifts to man OCBA’s booth)
f. Hillsborough Garden Tour, Saturday, May 21
g. Farm to Fork, May 22
h. Hive Assessment (TBA) Don Hopkins
She finished her presentation with a humorous Top Ten Things a beekeeper is asked. One last announcement: Uniterian Church is having a plant exchange on April 9 from 10-12. Interested folks are asked to bring a white flowering perennial or to make a donation to the church.
8. Betsy suggested that a form be created and posted on the website to preview requests for speakers about beekeeping, including a fee for for-profit organizations. Dan asked if the information in the folder could also be up loaded on to the website.
9. Lewis reminded the club that we are lucky to be beekeeping in NC where there are six full time bee inspectors. Also he reported that he had received an email from the Durham Cooperative Extension agency about setting up a hive in their new community garden. They have requested help with the hive wooden ware and bees. Lewis offered to donate some equipment or woodware and a frame of bees. Betsy asked who is going to care for the bees? Lewis admitted that the garden is scheduled to open on April 29, and that he didn’t know who would care for them. We had members who live in Durham County.
10. Lewis explained that the Golden Achievement Application for OCBA was submitted at the spring meeting.
11. Next meeting will be Thursday, April 14, at 7 pm.
Members enjoyed fellowship and refreshments together.
Respectfully submitted,
‘Lizabeth Collins
Feb 2011
OCBA Meeting Minutes-February 9, 2011 7:00 pm
John called the meeting to order and invited members to talk about what they have observed in their beeyards this month. Elisabeth Curtis asked what to do if she finds an empty hive where bees have died out. (Have a bee inspector come to make sure there were no diseases, then clean out the hive to use with a package or, later, with a split.) Lewis cautioned that we should be checking to see if the bees have enough to eat. John Harrell asked at what point should he reverse hive bodies or take other steps to prevent swarms. (Weather needs to be warm enough; could do now. You want to keep food above the bees.) If you see bees coming and going from your hives, it doesn’t necessarily mean all is well—they could be robbing the hive. A clue that your hive is active and well is to watch for pollen coming in.
1. ‘Lizabeth called roll of members and asked guests, visitors and non-members to sign in.
2. John Harrell reported that the workshop on framing at Bee Works in Cedar Grove in January was a good one.
3. Next John called on Watty , who reported on the upcoming events:
a. Plants for the Beekeeper (TBA) at Southern States/Carrboro
b. Hiving Packaged Bees , Saturday, April 9, at Jim And Eva Hoke’s bee yard (102 Stornridge Drive, Chapel Hill)
c. Using Nucs and Making Splits, Saturday, May 7 (TBA)
d. Piedmont Wildlife Festival , Saturday, May 14, from 11 am to 6 pm (364 Leigh Farm Road, Durham (volunteers needed in shifts to man OCBA’s booth)
e. Dedication of Pollinator Garden, Sunday, May 15, Dickson House on Churton Street, Hillsborough
f. Magic Wings at Museum of Life and Science, Saturday, May 21 (433 West Murry Avenue, Durham (volunteers needed in shifts to man OCBA’s booth)
g. Hillsborough Garden Tour, Saturday, May 21
h. Hive Assessment (TBA) Don Hopkins
4. Elisabeth Curtis reported that Southern States isn’t as motivated to schedule the Plants for Beekeepers workshop as she would like them to be.
5. Spring meeting of beekeepers will be held March 4-5 at Gaston College in Dallas, NC. Registration is only $20. This is the joint meeting with South Carolina beekeepers. John counted 7-8 local members who planned to attend.
John turned the program over to Randall Austin, Master Beekeeper, who gave information about the Master Beekeeping program in North Carolina. The first level is “certified” for which no course work is required; however a beekeeper must pass a written test. The second level is “journeyman.” Again no course work is required. However the beekeeper must pass the written test and a practicum (hands-on test), have kept bees for 2 or more years, and must complete /document 5 or more units of public service. The third level is “master” beekeeper. At this level, the beekeeper must pass the test and practicum, have kept bees for 3 years and must complete/document 10 or more unite of public service. Once you reach this level, you can rest on your laurels. But there is one more level: Master Craftsman. This level requires renewal after 5 years and the beekeeper must complete all of the requirements for Master Beekeeper with 15 or more units of public service and participate in a quality research program. North Carolina has only 7 of these.
Public service credits are broad and varied: presentations to clubs or schools; serving as club officers; creating information brochures/posters; mentoring another beekeeper; hosting a workshop; manning the bee booth at the State Fair or other such; working on the pollinator garden; etc.
6. Applications for membership are at theocba.org .
7. Lewis offered free bee company catalogs on the back table.
8. Next meeting will be Thursday, March 10, at 7 pm.
Members enjoyed fellowship and refreshments together.
Respectfully submitted,
‘Lizabeth Collins
