Bee-Con News Guiding Johnston County Beekeepers What you need to know The Johnston County Beekeepers Association meets the third Monday of each month at 7:00pm at the Johnston County Agricultural Center 2736 NC 210 Hwy., Smithfield, NC. Website: www.jocobee.org Our website is a great resource for information, upcoming events and beekeeping help. Officers for 2014: President ~ Chip Braswell Vice President ~ Kim Underhill Secretary ~ Sharon Noles Treasurer ~ Mary Jones 1 st Director ~ Rich Bennek 2 nd Director ~ Jim Dempster 3 rd Director ~ Ronnie Fish Public Relations Representatives: ~Billy Wiggs & Charles Kneeshaw February Meeting: Joint Meeting with Wake County Beekeepers Date: Tuesday Feb. 11th Location: 4011 Carya Drive Raleigh, NC 27610 Meeting starts at 6:30 Come early! Program Features: Dr. Larry Connor Topic: Reading your Bees: Understanding what they are telling you. 2 part program: Part 1: Lecture format Part 2: Q&A Book sales and signing Time: 6:00 9:00pm This will be our meeting for February. We will NOT meet on Monday Feb 17th!
So you have decided to keep honey bees, now what? Beginning Beekeeping Workshop Wednesday nights from Feb. 5 th March 26 th from 6:00 pm 9:00 This workshop is to help people understand and appreciate honey bees while learning how to raise them. Cost: $50.00 Includes: Notebook Resource guides Beekeeping calendar Hands on demonstrations* Snacks Presentation materials * Note: Hands on demonstrations will take place on participant chosen Sundays. Course Outline: February 5 th ~ History of Beekeeping 12 th ~ Honey Bee Biology 19 th ~ Insect Pest Management 26 th ~ Disease Management March 5 th ~ Fall Management 12 th ~ Winter Management 19 th ~ Spring Management 26 th ~ Summer Management April 5 th ~ Certification Exams (optional) Contact Amie Newsome at 919-989-5380 or amie_newsome@ncsu.edu to register before January 31, 2014. J.C. Agriculture Center 2736 NC Highway 210, Smithfield, NC 27577 Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Bryant M. Spivey, County Extension Director at (919) 989-5380 or in person at the Johnston County Extension Office at least 10 days prior to the event. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
In and around the Bee Yard This section is to highlight some considerations for your apiary this time of year. For specifics, it is suggested that you read, research, talk to other beekeepers as well as document what you do so you can refer back and decide what works best for you and your bees. Honey Bee Activity: -February (Honey Bees) Average Colony consumes about 25 pounds of food in February If weather turns bad, a colony with small food reserves can quickly starve to death - Their cluster has worked its way upward into the top deep brood chamber Rearing Brood- By the middle of January, brood rearing begins again in preparation for Spring -Sunlight & warmer weather will trigger the queen into laying a few more eggs each day -Noticeable pollen flow under way, especially red maple-brood build-up intensifying Red Maple Pollen color: gray to light green -Minimal if any nectar available---most hives need feeding 1:1 syrup in most cases Beekeeper Duties: -Monitor food stores -Check entrance, remove snow or debris -Check for moisture build up: Check inside the top cover for moisture. Equipment: Need equipment ready NOW! For spring honey flow. Quickly check on the queen Is she laying? Do not linger long, as pulling frames can chill brood Beekeeper Activities: -Pay your Club & NCSBA dues for the year -Repair/replace equipment if needed; move hives if needed; keep learning. -During last half of February, consider adding super/hive body of wax foundation to allow bees to draw out more comb for spring. (Feeding or nectar is required for this.) -Make plans to attend the annual NCSBA Spring Meeting in March. -Subscribe to American Bee Journal and Bee Culture -Attend Beekeeping Club Meetings -Call your State Bee Inspector and set an appointment for later in the year for them to come out and inspect your hive WITH YOU. - Great Learning experience! -Implement a record keeping system and keep it up to date -Have fun! - Take your valentine out for dinner
Important Dates, Events & Activities for 2014 Johnston County Beekeepers 2014 Program Agenda (programs/speakers may be subject to change) Feb: Joint Meeting w Wake County Beekeepers: Tues. Feb 11th 4011 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC Keynote Speaker: Dr. Larry Connor Topic: Reading and Understanding your bees 2 part program: Part 1 Lecture format, Part 2: Q&A / Book sales and signing Time: 6:00 9:00pm March 17th: George Skinner: Top Bar Hives April 21st: Sugar Shake Out: Will Hicks Varroa Mites, Sugar Shake Workshop/Varroa Treatments May 19th: Rick Coor Queen Management June 16th: Honey Extraction July 18: FRIDAY: Tour de Hive: Summer Tour: Bayer Bee Care Center Tour/ Lunch @ Busy Bee Café/ Ronnie Fish s Pick your own Berry Farm August 18th: Danny & Mary Jaynes: How to prepare and enter the State Fair: step by step Sept 15th : Tom Underhill Live lip balm making demo Oct 20th: Assassination of a Queen Party Nov: 17th: Candle Making demo Dec 15th: Annual Christmas Banquet March 2014 NCSBA Spring Meeting: March 6-8th Wilmington NC Convention Center Visit web: www.ncbeekeepers.org for more details May 2014 Ham & Yam Festival - Saturday May 3 Please mark your calendars and plan on helping with the booth that day. Sign up will be soon! July 2014 NCSBA Summer Meeting: July10-12 Wilkes County Community College Visit web: www.ncbeekeepers.org for more details NC 4-H State Beekeeping Essay Contest: Topic "Beekeeping in Colonial Times," deadline Feb 15, 2014 Please consider passing this opportunity on to your 4-H youth (Only active 4-H youth are eligible) Youth can delve deep into understanding the importance of honey bees in colonial times. The North Carolina state winner receives a $50 award and the winning essay is submitted to the national contest through the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees. If selected as a national winner, 1st place is $750, 2nd is $500 and 3rd is $250. Our state essay topic and judging criteria follow the national program. For the topic & essay guidelines email: info@honeybeepreservation.org Essays are due February 15th, 2014. Please send essays ELECTRONICALLY to Liz Driscoll at liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu
ADVANCE REGISTRAN2014 NCSBA SPRING MEETING WILMINGTON CONVENTION CENTER - WILMINGTON, NC MARCH 6-8, 2014 Hosted by NEW HANOVER COUNTY BEEKEEPERS - NCSBA Local Chapter Please Print Clearly and Complete Items 1-8 1. Member Name Member ID # (Last) (First) 2. Spouse Name: Spouse Member ID (Last) (First) Children 3. Address: (Street) (City) (State) (Zip) 4. Local Chapter: Phone ( ) - 5. Email @ County of Residence Members may register online www.ncbeekeepers.org (NCSBA password is REQUIRED) REGISTRATION FEE Fees listed below are ADVANCE mail-in fees. WALK-IN fees at the Spring Meeting will be $10.00 higher for Individual and Family registrations. AMT. PAID 6. Individual Registration (NCSBA member) - $25.00 = $ Family Registration (NCSBA member) - $35.00 = $ *NON-NCSBA Member Registration - $40.00 = $ *NON-NCSBA Family Registration - $50.00 = $ Dr. Ambrose Intro/Intermediate short course (Thursday 9:00 am 1:00 pm) # @ $25.00 each (room capacity 135) = $ Social: Thursday evening # @ $10.00 each = $ Social Cancellation (Must Be RECEIVED by Thursday February 27, 2014 for a refund) 7. Donation to Apicultural Science Fund (Honey Bee Research) (Optional) = $ 8. TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED (Check Made Payable to NCSBA Registration) $ Mail registration form and check to NCSBA Registration, P. O. Box 1627, Clayton, NC 27528. Vendors: If you require tables and space, please indicate # Tables Spaces - (10 x 10) Contact Harry Strand at (252) 288-4694 or email: hlstrand59@gmail.com for space reservations and setup times. South Carolina & Virginia Beekeepers (Do not need to join NCSBA to attend the 2014 Spring Meeting). DUES INFO: If you have NOT paid your 2014 Annual Dues ($15.00), you may Do so during registration and receive the NCSBA Membership price. You may register as an active NCSBA Member by providing your membership card or number when registering for The Spring Meeting. 2014 Annual Commercial Memberships are $30.00. Attendees are responsible for hotel reservations. The cut-off for hotel discount rates is Feb 14,2014. RESERVE EARLY! Mail-In Advance Registration Deadline is February 27, 2014
Accommodations: Wilmington Convention Center 515 Nutt St. Wilmington, NC (910)-251-5101 Best Western, 503 Nutt St., Wilmington, NC 877-574-2464 $123.17 + Tax Country Inn & Suites, 4706 New Centre Dr., Wilmington, NC 800-456-4000 $ 95.00 + Tax Hampton Inn, 1989 Eastwood Rd., Wilmington, NC (Wrightsville Beach area) 866-538-1349 $104.00 + Tax Hampton Inn, 245 Eastwood Rd., Wilmington, NC 866-538-1349 $ 99.00 + Tax Main Stay Suites, 5229 Market St., Wilmington, NC 800-300-8800 $ 69.00 + Tax Sleep Inn, 5225 Market St., Wilmington, NC 866-925-7881 $ 69.00 + Tax The Jameson Inn, 5102 Dunlea Ct., Wilmington, NC 800-238-0767 $ 64.00 + Tax Wingate by Wyndham, 5126 Market St., Wilmington, NC 800-582-9492 $ 89.00 + Ta Comfort Suites, 4721 Market St., Wilmington, NC (910)-739-9300 $ 79.99 + Tax Attendees are responsible for hotel reservations. The cut-off for hotel discount rates is Feb 14,2014. RESERVE EARLY!
Special Events: Social on Thursday Night ($10 per person) Bee Buddies Program for Children Door Prizes Each Day Vendor Displays and Equipment Sales Dr. Ambrose Intro/Intermediate Short Course ($25 per person) - This class will teach beginning and intermediate beekeeping in preparation for the Certified or Journeyman levels of the Master Beekeeper Program. The book, "First Lessons in Beekeeping" by Dadant will be provided. No discounts will be given for those already having or sharing a book.
Local Beekeeping Supplier Spotlight Supporting people who support us! This month s spotlight: Bailey Bee Supply We re very excited about serving the beekeepers in the Greater Triangle area and beyond. In addition to beekeeping supplies, we have a variety of local beekeepers raw honey, creamed honey, gifts, art and crafts relating to bees. Stop in for a visit. Hope to see you soon! David Bailey is a member of the Beekeepers Association for the counties of Orange, Person, Wake, Durham and Chatham. He served several years on the Advisory Council of the Orange County NC Cooperative Extension. His goal is to support beekeepers and promote beekeeping education through NCDA and NCSU. If we meet and you forgot me, you ve lost nothing, if you meet Jesus and forget Him, you ve lost everything. 919-977-0901 1724 South Saunders Street Raleigh, NC 27603 raleigh@baileybeesupply.com