2011 Newsletter Collection Sponsored By:
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
February 2011 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Don’t look now, but that warm glow in the east is a brave February sun burrowing its way through the dense fog of winter. Sugar maples feel the warmth, and begin to stretch their limbs. Crocuses push tender shoots against the still-frozen turf, stymied for now but waiting, watching for an opening. And your intrepid bees, clinging to a dwindling supply of winter honey, send warm-day sorties in search of the life-giving pollen that will cue preparations for Spring.
Welcome a new beekeeping year at our annual Spring Meeting, March 11-12 in Branson Please join us for our Spring Meeting at the Lodge of the Ozarks in Branson, MO. We have an exciting agenda planned, with special events the day before and the day following. Remember, communication and learning are the keys to successful beekeeping. Being with other beekeepers is a great time for sharing ideas and just plain old fellowship. We are offering lodging at the rate of $70.00 per night, suites included. You will need to call before March 1 and ask for the specified group block in order to receive this negotiated rate; the earlier you book, the better room/suite you will get. This rate includes a breakfast buffet and parking. We will be within walking distance of several shows. For more information: http://www.lodgeoftheozarks.com/ • Lodge of the Ozarks, 3431 W. Hwy. 76, Branson, MO 65616 • 417-334-7535 • 800-213-2584. Branson, MO, nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains, is America’s affordable, wholesome family entertainment capital that emphasizes fun, comfort and the feeling of being right at home. Featuring an array of live theaters and attraction venues and active recreational pursuits, the community embodies essential American values such as patriotism, faith, courage and generosity of spirit in a warm inviting atmosphere that is truly genuine and heartfelt. http://www.explorebranson.com/ We are negotiating special prices for the shows and attractions, just for the beekeepers. Our special guest speakers will be:
Dr. Don Steinkraus: Professor – Biological Control with Microbial Pathogens, Department of Entomology - University of Arkansas. Expertise and instrumentation: Epizootiology, IPM and biological control with insect pathogens, apiculture, scientific photography, insect anatomy. continued on page 8
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the President .............. 2 Honey Drop coming soon? ... 3 New funding for U.S. marketing Cookin’ with honey ........... 3 Honey pecan pie Spring Meeting program .... 4 Beginners’ workshops ....... 6 Spring Meeting registration 7
From the Queen Chair ......... 9 Spring Meeting vendors ... 9 Place your orders now Meeting in Galveston ..... 10 Local associations ............ 13 Membership application .. 14 Honey Queen report ....... 15 Directory of officers .......... 15
Page 2
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President
When all around is dark and it looks like the idea is going down the tubes, a by Grant Gillard champion shines a light to illumine a path I was still in college when John Hinkley attempted to assassinate then- forward for the rest of us. President Ronald Reagan. At the time, Vice-president George H.W. They say the seven deadliest words for Bush (yeah, the other, older guy) was on Air Force Two flying over any organization are, “We’ve never done it that way before.” Texas. Communication with the Vice-president was limited. The Reagan cabinet leapt into action, and in this time of turmoil and Sometimes we just need a champion potential crisis, the various officials tried to sort out the presidential to remind us there are other ways to succession and transfer of power as set out in the 25th Amendment do things and we need not fear trying to the Constitution. Tensions were running high. It was a media something different. Beekeeping is in a precarious place. It’s never been more challenging to be a beekeeper, frenzy. Who is in charge? especially for a beginner. We need each other, more than ever. Out of the chaos emerged the Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, But that’s why we have this state association: to work together, who declared, “As of now, I’m in control here.” Well, we’ve had a rather civil transition of the presidency of our state encourage one another, and bring our hopes and dreams to reality. beekeeping association. I could say, quoting General Haig, “As of All the best, now, I’m in control here.” Grant Gillard But in reality, I’m not. You are. I think we often forget that the real power of any organization is located in the membership. Leaders and officials can set out on any one of a hundred quests, but if they have no followers, they have no power. This state organization belongs to you. Your hopes and desires are what will drive our organization to serve the needs of our members. As your President, I hope you’ll feel empowered and enabled to bring fresh ideas to the table, to help us make our organization run efficiently and, perhaps most importantly, to meet the needs and expectations of the membership. I anticipate the executive board will work to make these hopes and dreams a reality. And, of course, we’ll need your help as well as your input. Which brings me to a second thought. One of my colleagues taught me an important truth when trying to bring new programs to an organization. He said: “Every good idea needs a champion.” In times of change, in times of innovation, good ideas need someone to be the cheerleader, the Specializing in: advocate, the promoter, the catalyst, the coach, Bee Pollen even the mid-wife. Beekeeping Supplies Change is difficult and new ideas don’t take Containers root easily. A champion Observation Hives breathes life into new Call for a free pollen sample & supply catalog ideas and shelters them from the onslaught of (402) 274-3725 criticism and doubt.
DRAPER’S SUPER BEE
February 2011
Page 3
Honey Drop™ founders pay a visit to the Dragon’s Den TV program provides company with investment to “grow our brand into the US market” by Eugene Makovec Honey Drop™, the ground-breaking dried honey product from Island Abbey Foods of Canada, is about to receive a sizable cash infusion thanks to an appearance on the popular Canadian television program Dragon’s Den. Dragon’s Den, an international sensation that premiered in Japan in 2001 as Money Tigers and airs in the United States as Shark Tank, features entrepreneurs pitching their products to a group of multi-millionaire investors who, if duly impressed, offer an investment in return for a stake in the company. On the show’s January 19 episode, brothers John and Justin Rowe of Island Abbey pitch their Honibe™ brand Honey Drop™, a solid, dried honey product individually packaged for retail and foodservice sale, asking for $1,000,000 Canadian to help “grow our brand into the US market” -- and offering up to 20 percent equity in the company in trade. Following a convincing sales pitch and some tense negotiation -- “You know what a good deal is? When both sides are unhappy,” says investor Kevin O’Leary of O’Leary Funds -- the brothers come away with $600,000 in cash and another $400,000 line of credit in exchange for a 35 percent
stake in the company. Four of the program’s five Dragons take part in the deal, with the fifth choosing to decline. John Rowe stated on the show that Prince Edward Islandbased Honibe™ made $650,000 in sales in 2009, its first full year of business, and expects to surpass $2,000,000 in 2011. The company’s product line also includes candies and throat lozenges. John Rowe began research into a dried, portable form of honey in the 1990s, and in January of 2008 the company introduced Honey Drop™, an individual serving of dried honey without any additives or binding agents. The product was featured in the March 2008 issue of this newsletter (inset, with product photo at center), as part of a story about the National Honey Board’s role in funding honey-based food product development. In October of 2010 the company announced an agreement with Dutch Gold Honey of Lancaster, PA, for US distribution. Additional product information is available at www. honibe.com. The Dragon’s Den episode can be viewed at http:// bit.ly/gUTaur.
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Page 4
Missouri State Beekeepers Association 2011 Spring Meeting Program (subject to change)
Thursday, March 10 4:00-6:00
Free wine & cheese social - Hospitality Room 255. Wines provided by 7C’s Winery. Non-alcoholic drinks also available. Donations accepted for the Honey Queen fund.
6:00-11:59 Hospitality Room open - Room 255
Friday, March 11 8:00-11:59 Hospitality Room open - Room 255 8:00-10:45 Executive Board Meeting - Timber Creek Small 9:45
Registration open Vendors Open - Crystal Hall Queen Silent Auction opens
10:45
Cooking with Honey contest setup Beekeeping Artwork contest setup
11:00-11:10 Welcome 11:10-12:00 CSI in the Beehive Trying to Find the Cause of CCD, Dennis vanEngelsdorp - Crystal Hall 12:00-12:45 TBA, Dr. Don Steinkraus - Crystal Hall 12:45-1:15 Break for lunch 1:15-1:30
A Ton of Honey, Grant Gillard - Crystal Hall
1:30-2:15
Honey Bee Epidemiology: What is Killing Bees? Dennis vanEngelsdorp
2:15-3:00
TBA, Dr. Don Steinkraus - Crystal Hall
3:00-3:30
Break, visit with vendors
3:30-4:15
TBA, Dennis vanEngelsdorp - Crystal Hall
4:15-4:45
National Honey Bee Pest Survey, Collin Wamsley, Missouri State Entomologist - Crystal Hall
4:45-5:15
Eastern Region Director Meeting with Eastern Region beekeepers, Steve Harris - Crystal Hall
6:30-9:00
Beekeeper of the Year and Mentor of the Year Banquet - Club Vegas
9:00-9:30
Eastern Region Director Meeting with Western Region beekeepers, Brian Norris - Club Vegas
February 2011
Page 5
2011 Spring Meeting Program (continued) Saturday, March 12 7:30-8:00
South Region Director Meeting with South Region beekeepers, Dave Kayser
8:00-8:20
Welcome - Crystal Hall Invocation - Rev. Don Buford Patriotism presention, Lillian-Grace Misko, Missouri Honey Queen
8:20-8:25
Missouri Honey Queen Report, Joyce Justice
8:25-10:15 The Medicine Chest Known as the Beehive (Part 1), Reyah Carlson - Crystal Hall 9:00-9:45
Alternate Activity: Q & A, Dennis vanEngelsdorp - Room 251
10:15-10:45 Break, visit with vendors 10:45-11:35 The Medicine Chest Known as the Beehive (Part 2), Reyah Carlson - Crystal Hall 10:45-11:35 Alternate Activity: Q & A, Don Steinkraus - Room 251 11:00
(Dennis vanEngelsdorp departs)
12:00-1:00 Lunch - Club Vegas 1:00-1:45
Breakout sessions: Apitherapy Questions and Bee Stings, Reyah Carlson - Room 251 Farmers’ Markets, Vera and Art Gelder - Timber Creek Small Nicotine Bees, John Timmons TBA
1:45-2:15
Break
2:15-3:05
TBA, Dr. Don Steinkraus - Crystal Hall
3:05-3:55
TBA, Richard Houseman, Associate Professor of Entomology, University of MO - Crystal Hall
3:55 8:00
Annual Business Meeting, followed by raffle prize drawings - Crystal Hall Jim Stafford Show, reg. cost $35.50, but if at least 20 people go, rate will be $27.35. Please send info and check for full amount to Pam Brown, must receive by Feb. 20.
Sunday, March 13 Recommended Sunday brunch at either the Keeter Center (College of the Ozarks) or Big Cedar Lodge. No discount given, but if enough people want to go, we can make group reservations so members can sit together. Sign up at registration table.
Page 6
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Local clubs schedule beginners’ workshops Eastern Missouri Beekeepers: Our highly successful workshops for beginners and experienced beekeepers will be repeated from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm this February12th at Maritz in Fenton. The courses will be led by Clarence Collison, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Entomology and Emeritus Head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University; Rick Fell, PhD, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech; and Grant Gillard, President of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association. Tuition cost is $90 per person. Please register by February 5 at www.easternmobeekeepers.com or call (314) 894.8737.
Three Rivers Beekeepers and the University of Missouri Extension Center for St. Charles County are offering a three-part Beginning Beekeeper Class this spring. Come learn about the wonderful honeybee and how to manage them and their home, the beehive. WHEN: March 27th, 2011 (2-8 pm); March 28th (6-9 pm); and March 29th (6-9 pm). An optional class supplement covering sustainable techniques using organic, natural beekeeping alternatives will be presented on Saturday, April 2nd (5-9 pm). WHERE: University of Missouri Extension Center at 260 Brown Rd. in St. Peters. HOW: Visit www.threeriversbeekeepers.com or call the Extension Center at 636-970-3000 for reservations and payment of $50.00 (all inclusive).
Missouri Valley Beekeepers will hold a “Beeginning Beekeepers Class” on March 5, 2011 (tentative date). This is a great introduction and education for anyone contemplating keeping bees. It will be held at Clearview Feed and Seed Store on Highway 47 in Union, MO. For registration and more information, contact Stephany Sullivan at 636-584-9817 or sasullivan55@yahoo.com.
Jefferson County Beekeepers will hold a Beginning Beekeepers workshop in Hillsboro sometime in early March. For more information, contact Scott Moser at smoser@accessus.net or 636-575-5434.
FOR SALE:
PACKAGE BEES For April pickup in Lynnville, Iowa or Hamilton, Illinois. These are 2# and 3# packages from C.F. Koehnen and Sons. Your choice of Italian or Carniolan queens. Carniolan queens will be available separately beginning in mid April. Contact Phil Ebert: 641-527-2639 ehoney37@netins.net www.eberthoney.com Five-frame Nucs for Sale Young 2011 queens Buckfast, survivor Italian, Carniolan $85 in Plasicell nuc boxes; pickup in Eldon MO Come with Florida health inspections $20 deposit John and Delores Sauls 407-431-3714 • 407-431-3715 hahunltd@att.net • riversrunapiary@yahoo.com
Missouri State Beekeepers Association Spring 2011 Branson Meeting Registration Form List all attendees’ names as you want them printed on the name tags, including any pertinent information such as Beekeeper of the Year (list year), name of honey business, etc. NAME: _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________________ CITY: ___________________________________ STATE:_____________ ZIP+4: _________________LOCAL CLUB:_____________________ PHONE: __________________________________E-MAIL: ______________________________________________________
PRE-REGISTRATION (must be received by February 28, 2011) MEMBER
$25 X ___________= ________________
MEMBER FAMILY (must have paid 2011 dues as a family)
$35
NON-MEMBER
$35 X ___________= ________________
SATURDAY ONLY MEMBER
$15 X ___________= ________________
SATURDAY ONLY FAMILY (must have paid 2011 dues as a family)
$25
SATURDAY ONLY NON-MEMBER
$20 X ____________=_______________
_______________
_______________
LATE PRE-REGISTRATION MEMBER
$28 X ___________= _______________
NON-MEMBER
$38 X ___________=_______________
SATURDAY ONLY MEMBER
$18 X ___________= _______________
SATURDAY ONLY NON-MEMBER
$25 X ___________ = ______________
FRIDAY NIGHT QUEEN BANQUET Roast of Pork Loin
$21 X ___________ = ___________
Fried Catfish
$21 X ___________ = ___________
SATURDAY LUNCH – Beef Brisket
$12 X ___________= ___________
MSBA – 2011 MEMBERSHIP Individual
Renewal
New
$15.00
______________
Family
Renewal
New
$20.00
______________
Queen Fund Donation
______________
Meeting Fund Donation
______________ TOTAL:
______________
Please make checks payable to Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Send to: Cathy Hogan, PO Box 281, Boss, MO 65440-0281. If you pre-register and then cannot attend, your registration fee will be considered a donation and no refund will be made. If you pay for meals and we are able to sell them, you will be refunded for those. Please note – no receipts will be sent. Checks will be deposited after the meeting.
Page 8
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
continued from page 1
Dr. Don Steinkraus (continued) Education: • B.A. Anthropology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 1975 • M.S. Mycology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 1979 • Ph.D. Insect Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 1987
Dennis van Engelsdorp: Bee Expert – Popular speaker at American and European bee meetings, regarding colony losses and standardizing data collection and presentation standards. Studying colony collapse disorder -- the alarming, worldwide disappearance of worker bees and Western honey bees, bee disease epidemiology, and the internal anatomy of the honey bee. Honeybee Researcher – Penn State Education: • B.S. Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario 1992 • M.S. Environmental Biology, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario 1995 • Doctorial Candidate, University of Pennsylvania 2011 Reyah Carlson:
Practitioner of Apitherapy – Has been stung by bees more than 25,000 times. On purpose. She was a featured speaker at the 2010 North American Beekeepers Conference held in Orlando. Reyah operates out of her home, drives to some of her clients’ homes throughout Vermont and has used the therapy on herself with positive results. She has given stings to nearly 3000 people and has traveled the world to spread the word about bee venom therapy. She has appeared in National Geographic and on the Discovery Channel.
Contests: All entries to be submitted March 11, 2011. Entries are open to the public; however, only MSBA members in attendance can be declared winners. There will be two sets of winners. The first set of winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) will be selected by a judge; the second set will be People’s Choice, with each pre-registered attendee allowed one vote. The owners of all entries will be required to sign an attached index card giving MSBA permission to use their entry in the newsletter, website, calendar and cookbook. 1.
Cooking With Honey – judged by the Chef of the Rafters Restaurant
Entries are to be in the Board Room by 11:30AM. Honey is to be the principal sweetener. Commercial mixes may not be used, no other ingredient restrictions. Please type or print the recipe on a 3 x 5 card with your name on the back, it will be kept to possibly be included in the MSBA newsletter, website, calendar and cookbook. Put your name on the back of the recipe card. Bread or cookies should not need refrigeration. Entries become property of MSBA and will be served at break time in the Hospitality Room. The categories are: • Quick Bread - 2 • Cookies - 24 • B-B-Q Sauce - 1 quart • Scones - 24 Entries could be judged on: Presentation, Best use of honey, Amount of honey used (compared to other entries in category), Taste/Flavor, Texture, Crumb/Tenderness, Color, and Consistency.
2.
Artwork - Paint, ink, pencil, or watercolor
All entries must portray some aspect of bees and/or beekeeping. A 3” x 5” white card on which a brief description of the craft is typed/ printed must accompany each entry, including name, address, e-mail. Utmost care will be taken in handling all entries, but MSBA is not responsible for loss or damage. Entrants desiring to insure their work must do so at their own discretion.
FALL MEETING PREVIEW October 28-29, 2011, with special events on October 27, Country Club Hotel, Lake of the Ozarks. Special speakers include Dr. Marla Spivak (University of Minnesota) Ed Levi (Arkansas) and C. Marina Marchese (Connecticut). Contests to be held: Cooking with honey (wheat bread, cake, wings), Soap, Needlework.
February 2011 Note from the Queen Chair by Joyce D. Justice
Our Queen has been busy and has worked up a new brochure. Looks like some interesting recipes to try. Let’s work on getting the Queen to as many special events as possible. She gets a lot of attention and adds a lot to your event. She traveled a lot of miles as our princess and let’s see if we can make more miles in 2011. Seems impossible that the March Spring Meeting will be here before another Newsletter will be published, but here is a reminder to bring your items to the March Meeting for the silent auction for the Queen’s expenses. The time seems to pass fast or I get slower each year in getting things accomplished. Joyce WANTED: A. I. Root four frame automatic reversible extractor. (620) 724-3189 glocksmi@ckt.net
Sharon Gibbons has for sale: • • • • •
Dadant Bottling Tank, 45 gallon, stainless, double water jacket - $1200. Barrels $10 and five-gallon buckets $1 Free old Bee Culture and ABJ magazines, dating back to the early ‘80s Kelley Liquefying Tank $100 stainless (holds 3-60# buckets in water bath 2 German-style box hives. Call for description. Built by beekeeper/cabinetmaker Max Theil. $100 each or best offer.
636-394-5395 or sgibbons314@att.net
Page 9 Support our meeting vendors and advertisers
As of press time, the following vendors had confirmed plans to attend the meeting. You can save on shipping costs by placing orders ahead of time to be picked up during the meeting. Walter T. Kelley Co.* All beekeeping supplies 800-233-2899 www.kelleybees.com Femme Osage Apiary* Handcrafted woodenware & bee supplies 636-398-5014 femmeosage1@aol.com Ian and Pam Brown Walkabout Acres* All beekeeping supplies 573-474-8837 FAX 573-474-5830 walkaboutacres@agristar.net Vera and Art Gelder Sharon Gibbons* Bee collection from last 25 years 636-394-5395 sgibbons314@att.net Reyah Carlson Soaps, creams and other health products *See ad in this issue
There will be a Buzz in Branson March 2011 As you already know, we have an upcoming semi-annual meeting planned for the spring. Because we will be in a great travel area, I am planning additional events for beekeepers and their families/friends to enjoy at a discount rate before and after the meeting. Please let me know what shows/venues you are interested in attending, so I can negotiate cost. We have to have a minimum attendance to get the cheaper rates. By completing this form, you are not making definite reservations, just submitting your interest. Please respond ASAP (circle your interest and send it to me or e-mail your choices). ASAP – Pam Brown SIX - Andy Williams - Butterfly House - Ride the Ducks - Jim Stafford - Baldknobbers - Sunday Champagne Breakfast at Big Cedar –Sunday Brunch at College of the Ozarks – Haygoods – Kirby Van Burch – Yakov - Shoji - Acrobats of China Hughes Brothers – Branson Country USA Late Show (11PM) – Dixie Stampede - Mickey Gilley - Motown Downtown Titanic - Showboat Branson Belle - Wax Museum - Ripley’s Believe It or Not – Thorncrown Chapel - other ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pam Brown 1407 Sneak Road Foristell, MO 63348-2102 femmeosage1@aol.com
Your name: ___________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________ E-Mail: ______________________________________________________________________________
Page 10
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Galveston hosts 2011 North American Beekeeping Conference Missouri beekeepers make trip to beautiful resort town on Gulf of Mexico Seagulls and seagoing vessels greet the sunrise on a January morning in Galveston. Below, Bob Graham of Dittmer, Missouri, chats with Joe Graham, editor of American Bee Journal, at the Dadant and Sons booth.
by Eugene Makovec Some 1100 beekeepers descended upon Galeveston, Texas, the first week of January for a joint meeting of the American Beekeeping Federation and the North American Honey Producers. Bob Graham and I made the trip, along with other Missouri beeks including Steve Harris, Ken Norman, Valerie Nichols, Marvin Hook, and I’m sure some others I did not recognize. The show boasted an impressive lineup of lecturers, including MSBA prez Grant Gillard, and one had to constantly choose between topics in the General Session and the Serious Sideliner Symposium. They also had a meeting room just for researchers, but I wasn’t invited there. And then there was the Tradeshow, where there were just too many vendors and too much ground to cover for the normal lunch and break times; I ended up skipping a couple of lectures just to
beat the crowds and meet with merchants. Conference highlights for me included finally meeting in person Editors Joe Graham of American Bee Journal and Kim Flottum of Bee Culture. Bob and I had dinner with Phil Ebert of Iowa, who advertises package bees in this newsletter and runs a much larger operation than I had imagined. I bought a pollen trap from Lloyd Spears of Ross Rounds, and had a nice talk with him and his wife. Oh, and I woke up early the second morning, walked across the street and watched the sun rise over the Gulf of Mexico. Awesome!
February 2011
Page 11
Going to Branson? Order early! Walter T. Kelley Co. has everything you need to take care of your honey house and we’re ready to bring that to you. We will be attending the Missouri Beekeepers Association meeting in Branson on March 11-12. Place your order by March 8 and we’ll bring it to you and won’t charge you for shipping. Check out our website at www.kelleybees.com and sign up to receive our monthly e-mail newsletter!! Remember, place your order by March 8 and we’ll bring it to you. That’s FREE SHIPPING just for being there!
WALTER T. KELLEY CO. “Bees Are Our Business” 807 West Main St. • Clarkson, KY 42726
800--233--2899 www.kelleybees.com Heartland Honey and Beekeeping Supplies 19201 South Clare Road Spring Hill, KS 66061 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com
Four-Frame nucs for sale. Young laying 2011 Hygienic Italian or Carniolan queens placed into your equipment, NO frame swap. Available early May, weather permitting. Quantity limited. $100.00. May have some late nucs available with Missouri produced hygienic queens available in late May. NO Deposit required.
Call Scott Moser (636) 575-5434.
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY
WEAVER’S FAMOUS QUEENS
220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919)
And Package Bees
White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
Buckfast & All-American BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES AND BEGINNER’S KITS THE R WEAVER APIARIES, INC. 16495 C.R. 319, NAVASOTA, TX 77868
Phone (936) 825-2333 FAX (936) 825-3642
EMAIL: rweaver@rweaver.com WEBSITE: www.rweaver.com
Up k c o t S the r o f Now Season! New
As our a k about woodssembled enwa DADANT MANUFACTURING SPECIALTY— re!
QUALITY WOODENWARE
—A
Hive Bodies And Honey Supers Dadant Super Construction . . . Small Details Make A Big Difference Ponderosa Pine Wood Products Our woodenware is manufactured from hand selected ponderosa pine. Each board has been carefully moisture-metered to assure its proper moisture content before it is precision milled into the finished product. All our supers have “predrilled” holes for nails to prevent splitting during assembly.
3 Basic Grades
• Handholds tapered cut for easy gripping • Moisture Metering before cutting to prevent warping • Uniform Dovetails to prevent cracking • Predrilled Nail Holes to prevent splitting
Select: A grade that is truly “selected” which allows only very small tight knots and no deviations in the dovetail, rabbets, or hand holds. Commercial: The most widely used by commercial beekeepers. Tight knots are allowed where they occur except in the Dovetail and Rabbet. Economy: The same precise fit as the other two grades but is a lower wood quality. Does not pass quality standards for “select” or “commercial” but is a good serviceable box. Layer knots and knots with crack or splits are allowed.
• Box Joint Construction for superior strength • Ponderosa Pine from the Northwest. The best wood for the job. • Uniform Frame Rests provides the proper “Bee Space”
Dadant Quality Frames Dadant Frame Construction
—2 Frame Styles— Wedge Top Bar
• 18% more wood in end bars (Full 3/8'' thickness)
Grooved Top Bar
• Grooved bottom bar stronger and e? easier to use or tim f d e r Press ut ou
bo Ask a ed frames bl assem beeswax- l with plasticel d coate dation. foun
1) Wood wedge is removed from frame. 2) Foundation is placed in frame.
Foundation is placed in bottombar groove and top-bar groove. This frame works best with a rigid foundation such as Duragilt or Plasticell.
3) Wood wedge is held firmly against foundation and nailed or stapled in place. NOTE: Unless otherwise specified, frames with grooved bottom bars will be shipped. SOLID AND SLOTTED BOTTOM BARS ARE AVAILABLE IN 100 OR MORE QUANTITY. Please specify bottom bar desired.
Dadant & Sons, Inc. www.dadant.com 1318 11th St., Sioux City, IA 51102 51 South 2nd St., Hamilton, IL 62341 1-877-732-3268 Fax 1-712-255-3233
1-888-922-1293 Fax 1-217-847-3660
February 2011
Page 13
Local Beekeepers Associations 1 Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
2 Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 1:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia Contact Art Gelder 573-474-8837 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
3 Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
4 Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
5 Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
6 Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
7 Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
8 Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
9 Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
10 Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 2nd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Andy Nowachek, President 913-438-5397
11 Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Debi Bridgman 573-439-5228
12 Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Scenic Regional Library, Union Contact Rodney Angell 573-764-2922 bee143@fidnet.com
13 Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of each month, 108 Harrison, Farmington Contact Gene Wood 573-431-1436
14 Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
15 SEMO Honey Producers
2nd Thursday of month, Poplar Bluff Extension Office Contact Ernie Wells 573-429-0222 wells.ernie@gmail.com
16 South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
17 Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”)
3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. United Methodist Church, Hwy 37 NW of Monett Leon Riggs, President 417-235-5053
18 Southwest Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Glenn W. Smith 417-548-2255
19 Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
20 Northwest Missouri Bee Busters
1st Monday of odd months, 7:00 p.m. 511 4th Street, Conception Junction, MO 64434 Gerald Auffert, President 660-944-2535
Can’t find a local near you? Contact our President or Vice President for assistance starting a new one!
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
February 2011 Honey Queen report by Lillian-Grace Misko Greetings everyone, Over winter break I was busy putting together final touches on my new Honey brochure and organizing details with my two colleges. In the midst of that, I welcomed in the 2011 New Year by having the time of my life visiting family in New York. I now am ready and eager for the upcoming events! It is a blessing to see how the experience of being the Honey Princess and now your Honey Queen has influenced and prepared my path for the future. As you may know, I am pursing a degree in Public Relations. I can relate with many topics and projects in my classes because of my experience representing the Missouri State Beekeepers Association. Public Relations has a very extensive job description. It has a lot to do with representing a company/ organization, building relationships, various responsibilities (writing/researching/etc.), and dealing with matters of crisis. I have a passion for people and sharing information with people. I also look at challenges to be quite exciting. This might be a matter of personal opinion, but I would consider life to be boring without people and challenges. I figure if there are people on this earth, there must be a reason to share life together. I do not look at challenges as a bad thing, but as something to overcome and to add to the journey of life. With saying all of the above, I understand that beekeeping can be a challenge for the beekeeper and the bees. It is a challenge for bees to make it through the winter and for the beekeeper to keep up during swarm season and with the rewards of a bountiful honey harvest! I admire the beekeepers when they unite in a community and share their art, information and ideas to help each other — keep encouraging each other, it is well worth it! It was a privilege to present my PowerPoint, “My Journey as Honey Princess”, at the Midwestern Beekeepers Christmas Meeting/ Dinner and to be there for the giving of the Beekeeper of the Year award. I would like to congratulate the Midwestern Beekeeper(s) of the Year, Tonya and Jim Fisher! I look forward to many more upcoming events, including the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Spring Workshop and the Missouri State Beekeepers Association Spring Meeting. Lillian-Grace Misko Missouri Honey Queen 2011
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Directory of Officers President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson MO 63755 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: John Timmons 636-940-8202 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles MO 63303 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Steve Moeller 573-886-0662 7035 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia MO 65202 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com Southern Director: Dave Kayser 417-767-2435 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 636-946-5520 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-703-7650 4849 Highway V, Villa Ridge MO 63089 editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia MO 65211
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
Falling down: Is this what your equipment looks like? Our upcoming Spring Meeting is a great time to pick up supplies for the coming beekeeping season. Save on shipping costs by ordering ahead of time from any of the meeting vendors listed on page 9. Even if you can’t make the meeting, please support our newsletter advertisers.
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter” in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
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$15.00 $35.00
Half page Full page
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Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075
April 2011 Eugene Makovec Editor
www.mostatebeekeepers.org
editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Branson meeting draws highest attendance in 25 years Scott Moser named 2010 Beekeeper of the Year Over 160 beekeepers (a 25-year high) descended on the small city of Branson, in the far southwest corner of our state, for the annual Spring Meeting of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association. Outgoing President Scott Moser, of Cedar Hill, was named 2010 Missouri Beekeeper of the Year, while Bob Brammer of Macon became the first recipient of our Mentor of the Year award. See pages 6 and 8 for more on these awards. Dennis vanEngelsdorp, a noted honeybee anatomist and researcher finishing his doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania (and introduced by President Grant Gillard as a “rock star” among bee lecturers), shared some results of his work on Colony Collapse Disorder and other issues. Here are some points that he covered: Since 1869 there have been at least 15 “bee loss events”. These • have been assigned various names, including Fall Dwindling Disease, May Disease and Disappearing Disease. In early testing, CCD colonies were 2.6 times as likely to have • both types of Nosema, and twice as likely to have three or more viruses, as non-CCD colonies. Oddly enough, the healthier, non-CCD hives had higher levels • of stored pesticides. But this could just be evidence that those beekeepers were more diligent about treating for varroa. On neonicotinoids: Plants have evolved so their natural • continued on page 7
A little bit Hollywood, a little bit Nashville. Or as the Osmonds down the road might sing, a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n roll. Call me a little bit crazy, but is that King Kong on the cover of your bee newsletter? This is Branson, self-styled “live music capital of the world”, its population a mere 10,500 -- most of whom seem to be members of family musical acts. One such act, the Hughes Brothers, performed for honey (yes, for honey!) at our Friday night banquet. This is the first time we’ve been to Branson for a state meeting, but hopefully not the last, as it is both inexpensive and exciting, and between the location and Pam Brown’s nonstop program we drew a crowd of 160-plus. photo by Steve Harris
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
From the President .............. 2 Spring Meeting photos ... New funding for U.S. marketing Impact of invasive species A lot of factors are at play From the Queen Chair ... Beekeeper of the Year ... Scott Moser Fall Meeting preview ...
3 4 6 6 6
Mentor of the Year ... 8 Bob Brammer Mentors make a difference 9 Cookin’ with honey ...... 10 State Fair is coming! ....... 10 Local associations ............ 13 Membership application .. 14 Honey Queen report ....... 15 Directory of officers .......... 15
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President
Whether on the local level, state or national scene, there’s always by Grant Gillard something to learn. I also learned Our spring meeting in Branson is now history. I had a great you cannot extend the USB cord time and enjoyed the facilities, the food, the programming from the computer more than 12 and most of all, the companionship and fellowship with like- feet. I learned our laptop computer minded individuals who share this same passion of keeping needs a better video reader. I also bees. learned it’s a good idea to fill the gas tank before you leave Branson. And There is a lot of energy and time that goes into the planning, and Pam Brown did a great job taking charge of the responsibilities. that’s a story for another day. Thanks also to a lot of others who were at Pam’s disposal to My thoughts now turn to spring management. I’m going to take care of the details. It’s really a team effort and I’ve grown focus a lot more attention this year on my queen rearing. I’ve to appreciate Pam’s sense of vision, planning and long-range already started making a video. perspective, and a ton of thanks to those who were willing to All the best, volunteer their skills toward the effort. Grant I love something Dennis vanEngelsdorp said: “Mean bees produce more honey because we tend to leave them alone.” He went on to say that interruptions and excessive inspections cut honey production, and we’d be much better off supering our hives and leaving them alone to do their foraging. Dennis shared insights into this mysterious bee disappearance which we call CCD. He said since 1869 there have been 15 such occurrences. This is not a new problem. But we’re still no closer to a real solution. I had a great time listening to Ken Norman. Not only can that guy auction lemonade decanters, he’s a craftsman when it comes to raising queens. That little light bulb above my head lit up when Ken said you don’t have to graft larvae with a fully drawn frame of comb. He suggested you take that comb with the day-old larvae and shave it down so you’re examining larvae in shallow cells. Now I think that’s a great idea! He also shared that once you Specializing in: disrupt the bees (like Bee Pollen when you’re making a nuc) the bees need Beekeeping Supplies 24 hours to readjust Containers before you introduce Observation Hives a queen cell. Call for a free pollen sample & supply catalog These are but a few of the reasons I (402) 274-3725 love bee meetings.
DRAPER’S SUPER BEE
April 2011
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Will sing for honey:
The Hughes Brothers (below), a popular Branson musical act, perform at the MSBA’s Friday evening Beekeeper of the Year banquet. In the forefront is a basket containing some of their requested payment of honey. Top right: Dolores Vivian, left, receives a blue ribbon from Jane Timmons for her winning recipe (reprinted on page 10) in our cooking contest. Top left: Dean Sanders, Steve Harris and Tim Hyde enjoy a light moment after the banquet. (We have no explanation for the bison hat.) All photos this page and next by Eugene Makovec
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
April 2011
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Are invasive plants a threat to native biodiversity? It depends on the spatial scale. A meta-analysis finds that as plot size increases, threat to biodiversity loss decreases The phrase “invasive plant species” typically evokes negative images such as broad swaths of kudzu smothered trees along the highway or purple loosestrife taking over wetlands and clogging waterways—and as such, invasive plants are largely viewed as major threats to native biodiversity. However, research has shown both that invasive species may be one of the most important threats to biodiversity and that plant invasions are rarely the cause for native species extinctions. How can these conflicting pieces of evidence be reconciled? Kristin Powell, from Washington University, MO, was interested in determining whether some of the differences in the effects that invasive plant species had on biodiversity was in fact due to the spatial scales at which they were studied. “Biological invasions are often thought to be one of the leading threats to global biodiversity,” Powell comments. “However, recent studies and popular literature have begun to question this view, especially in the context of invasive plants, asking ‘Are invasive species really that bad?’ For example, invasive plants have never been implicated as the sole cause in driving a native plant extinct.” To tackle this apparent conundrum, Powell and her co-authors took a two-prong approach; first, they conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize results from as many previous studies on the subject as they could find, and then they developed a model to investigate mechanisms that might explain their results. They published their findings in the recent Biodiversity Special Issue of the American Journal of Botany (http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/reprint/98/3/539). Powell and her colleagues found 57 studies containing information on average species richness with and without invaders. They used a meta-analysis because it is a powerful tool that allows each study to be used as a separate data set, to some degree. By comparing the difference in species richness between plots with and without invasive plant species and regressing that against the studies’ plot sizes the authors were able to see if a meaningful relationship existed between spatial scale and the effect of invaders. Indeed, they found a negative relationship between area and species richness. While invasive plant species at small spatial scales (plots < 100 m2) severely decreased native species richness, the impact of the invasive species decreased as the size of the study plot increased. “Our meta-analysis reconciles the opposing views on invaders by finding that invasive plants cause a large loss in biodiversity at small scales, but this effect essentially disappears at broader scales,” explains Powell. “That is, invasive plants are much more likely to cause extinctions at local but not regional or island-level spatial scales.” Furthermore, while invasive species may lead to native plant extinctions at the local-level, it may take decades, centuries, or even longer for these plant species to become extirpated at the regional or global level. How can this disparate effect of invasive plants at small versus large spatial scales possibly be explained? To explore a potential mechanism for this effect, Powell and her colleagues developed a model based on the idea that invasive plants might change the abundance and structural pattern of native plants— depending on how many rare and common species are present— which in turn might explain these differences.
In the model the authors randomly assigned 150 native species to occupy a certain number of patches within a simulated area. Then an invading species took over 90% of the patches, causing almost half of the native species in each patch to decline to extinction. In some simulations the invader negatively impacted common species more than rare ones, and vice versa. The authors found some very interesting results. At the local scale invading species always resulted in a loss of native species. However, the outcomes differed at the regional (larger) scale. When the invader impacted the common species more, diversity at the regional level was unaffected (it was the same in plots with or without invaders). But when rarer species were disproportionally affected, diversity at the regional level was much lower in invaded than uninvaded plots. Thus, as the effect of the invader changed from having proportionally greater effects on common to rare species, the potential for extinctions at the regional level increased, as long as there was a large number of rare species in the community. In other words, in order for invasive species to drive native species extinct at the regional (or broader scale) level the model indicated that the system must have many rare species which are strongly and disproportionately influenced by invasive species relative to the more widespread, common species. In all other scenarios, invasive species would have bigger or similar impacts at the local rather than the regional scale – which is what the meta-analysis, based on the literature, also showed. “It is not surprising that invasive plants cause larger declines in diversity at smaller spatial scales, as plant competition is a local, ecological process,” Powell notes. “One process that can lead to fewer native plant extinctions at broader scales is if invasive plants generally affect common species proportionately more than rare species,” Powell states. “We are currently investigating if there are commonalities across several plant invasions in how strongly common versus rare plant species are affected by invasive plants.” Powell emphasizes that it is important to understand the local-scale processes that contribute to the loss of biodiversity from plant invasions and that future research should examine the impacts of invasives across local and regional spatial scales. “The local-scale reduction of diversity by invasives is also the scale at which ecosystem services can be altered by invasive species.” Interestingly, one of the invasive species she and her colleagues have been studying, Amur honeysuckle, has been shown to decrease bird nesting success, decrease survivorship of frog tadpoles in nearby ponds, and increase the risk of tick-borne illness in humans. “Through local-scale effects, invasive plants can also alter population and meta-population dynamics of native species, which may lead to broad-scale extinctions in the future,” Powell concludes . The full article in the link mentioned is available for no charge for 30 days following the date of this summary at http://www.amjbot. org/cgi/content/full/98/3/539. This “Catch the Buzz” message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping, published by the A.I. Root Company.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Note from the Queen Chair by Joyce D. Justice
Our beekeepers are the greatest! When needed, it seems like they step up to the plate. Our ladies helped set up the silent auction table and then went down to help in the hospitality room. The hospitality room was a great place to relax, refresh and get to know each other. Dwight Crevelt of 7-C’s Winery furnished wine for the Thursday evening hospitality room and all donations went into the Queen Fund. 7-C’s also left wine to be auctioned off Friday evening and all of this was a donation to the Queen Fund. We are very appreciative of the support that 7-C’s has given to our Queen Program. All of our beekeepers have been really great to support our Missouri Honey Queen Program. We received the most support from any one meeting since I have been participating in the program. The total received was $859.25. We have several requests for Lillian to participate in events and we are doing our best to work out as many as possible. Thank you for your generous support and let us know when you have an event, and let’s see if we can work it in. Now, please all of you be looking for a Queen for 2012. It is so much better if the young lady knows a little about beekeeping. Surely some of you know ladies in your church or school, or a relative that would be a good Queen. Joyce
FOR SALE:
PACKAGE BEES For April pickup in Lynnville, IA or Hamilton, IL These are 2# and 3# packages from C.F. Koehnen and Sons. Your choice of Italian or Carniolan queens. Carniolan queens will be available separately beginning in mid April. Contact Phil Ebert: 641-527-2639 • ehoney37@netins.net • www.eberthoney.com
FALL MEETING PREVIEW October 28-29, 2011, with special events on October 27, Country Club Hotel, Lake of the Ozarks. Special speakers include: Dr. Marla Spivak (University of Minnesota) Ed Levi (Arkansas) C. Marina Marchese (Connecticut). Contests to be held: Cooking with honey (wheat bread, cake, wings), Soap, Needlework.
Scott Moser named 2010 Missouri Beekeeper of the Year Outgoing MSBA President Scott Moser was presented our 2010 Missouri Beekeeper of the Year at our 2011 Spring Meeting. At the request of President Grant Gillard (below, at left), he submitted this brief bio:
In the mid ‘90’s, I saw a short article about bees in a biology textbook. I remembered how my uncle had kept bees for years and years on his farm, and I always found them fascinating. I decided that I would like to give it a try, and realized I knew nothing about bees, and that I had a lot to learn. I began beekeeping in 1996 with three colonies in
the backyard. By the end of the first year, I was up to nine. I currently maintain about 80 colonies in Jefferson and Franklin Counties. I have been Secretary, VP, and held the office of President for seven years of Jefferson County Beekeepers Association. In addition, in 2002, I was awarded the JCBA Beekeeper of the Year. In Fall 2005, I was approached by Steve Harris, Ken Norman and Ken Sona to be Secretary of the MSBA (quietly hoping my name wouldn’t be the only name on the ballot for that position, just my luck… I ran unopposed). After careful consideration, I accepted the offer and ran as Secretary of the MSBA. After 2 years as secretary, Ken Norman contacted me, and said that he would like me to consider running for the position of VP. I was honored to be asked, but unsure if I was up to the task, knowing that the position would ultimately end with me assuming the position of President. Once again, I gave it careful consideration and discussed it with others, and decided that I would do it. One of my main goals was to increase the number of local associations, particularly north of the Missouri River. As President, I was fortunate to be surrounded by a wonderful group of officers. There were several people who were instrumental in helping me learn and grow as a beekeeper. Ted Jansen and Howard Hileman were always willing to offer advice, information and encouragement when it was needed. The most influential person though was Jim Buxton. He was always willing to help out, offer suggestions, and tell me what to do when it was needed. From this common bond, we developed a great friendship, and I feel lucky to count him among my best friends. Favorite quote: ‘Mites are choking them, pesticides are killing them, the drought’s starving them... they’re fine.’ Ulee Jackson, Ulee’s Gold
April 2011 continued from page 1 pesticides are not present in their nectar or pollen, thus protecting beneficial insects from exposure. Not so with man-made systemics like neonicotinoids. Nevertheless, neonics were not found in CCDaffected hives. But early studies suggest that these insecticides can compromise bees’ ability to fight off nosema, and more research is needed. • “Altruistic suicide”: This occurs in Dennis vanEngelsdorp termite colonies, where diseased bees leave the nest to die in order to protect the colony at large. Could something similar be occurring in CCD? • Almond-pollinating bees tend to have lower varroa levels than other bees. Is this a function of collecting pollen rather than producing honey, or is it due to something as simple as the movement of hives shaking mites off? Dr. Donald Steinkraus, a professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Arkansas, spoke on a variety of topics, including honeybee anatomy and proper nutrition. “Basically, a honeybee is made out of pollen,” he said. A colony requires from about 55-121 pounds of pollen per year, and it makes a big difference what types of pollen they are able to find, as pollens have varying levels of the protein that bees need. Pumpkin and almond pollen, for example, contain 26 and 25 percent Dr. Don Steinkraus protein, respectively, while thistle and corn provide 17 and 15. Variety is also important, but vast areas of the country are now covered by monoculture (one crop), with herbicides controlling other plants in and between fields. Bees in those areas are dependent on us, Steinkraus said, because we’ve altered their environment, and we therefore need to supplement their diet. Royal jelly is produced by the nurse bee’s hypopharyngeal gland, and is akin to breast milk in mammals in terms of its importance to development. The queen is fed constantly by her retinue, and if separated from them, said Steinkraus, will die in about an hour! Reyah Carlson is an internationally-known expert in apitherapy, a field which includes use of the many products of the hive as well as bee venom therapy. Prior to her first presentation, as Reyah waited for her PowerPoint to be set up, she introduced herself by striding up to the piano at the front of the lecture hall and banging out a version of Scott Joplin’s theme song from “The Sting”. She then gave a run-down of some of the many products of the hive and their health benefits: Propolis is a more effective antioxidant than Vitamins C and E. • It can be used as a topical relief for a toothache. Use Everclear, which she described as “food grade rocket fuel” -- just enough to cover the propolis -- to break it down into liquid form.
Page 7 Pollen contains 5-7 times the protein of beef. Collected pollen should be preserved by either being frozen immediately or put into honey (1:3 Pollen:Honey by weight). The latter method also breaks it down into a digestible form, which should be stored at room temperature for two weeks before use. This “bee bread” can be consumed with breakfast or lunch for energy. Honey makes a great wound treatment, as it oxygenates and • cleans the site and pulls moisture out, thus depriving bacteria the means of reproduction. Royal Jelly is good for cholesterol, as it raises HDL and lowers • LDL. Plus, she said, “I have treated people with cirrhosis of the liver successfully with royal jelly.” Beeswax candles are much healthier than petroleum-based • paraffin candles. Rather than pollute the air, beeswax actually produces negative ions that take pollution out of the air. Bee stings: Beekeepers are second only to orchestra • conductors in life expectancy, said Carlson. “Take your stings, it’s not gonna kill you -- and if it does it only takes 20 minutes!” she said to laughter. Reyah elicited quite a few laughs during her presentation; and that was before she started stinging people! Several attendees volunteered for sting therapy, including Honey Queen Lillian-Grace Misko (see photo page 15) and even a hotel employee. Grant Gillard gave a talk entitled “A Ton of Honey”, the keys to which he said are as follows: 1. Overwintering of strong colonies 2. Rapid spring buildup 3. Swarm prevention supering. Grant 4. Intelligent believes in bottom supering, and giving the bees enough room but not too much. 5. Expedient harvesting 6. Location, location, location. Other speakers included Art and Reyah Carlson Vera Gelder, on selling at farmers’ markets, Scott Moser on starting a local club, Kenny Norman on queen-rearing, and John Timmons with a showing and explanation of the film Nicotine Bees. Hospitality Room a hit One of the highlights of this meeting was the advent of a Hospitality Room, which was open throughout the meeting and until midnight on Friday. Coffee was available free of charge, along with snacks including the various cooking contest entries. This was a great place for members and spouses to get together and socialize. This was also the site of the Thursday evening Wine and Cheese Social, graciously hosted by Dwight Crevelt of 7C’s Winery, with wine, mead and snacks provided free of charge. This drew an estimated 30-plus early arrivals to the meeting site. As another new meeting feature, Eastern Director Steve Harris and Southern Director Dave Kayser hosted meetings to discuss regional issues with beekeepers from their respective areas of the state. •
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Bob Brammer named 2010 Mentor of the Year The following nominating letter was sent to us by Dan West: I’m Dan West, of Macon, Missouri. I happened to be reading the August newsletter and noticed you are wanting mentoring stories and nominations for the 2010 Mentor of the Year Awards. I would like very much for Bob Brammer from Macon to be nominated, as he has been my mentor since May of this year. Bob has been a member of the MSBA for decades, and also of the Boone County Beekeepers for over 30 years. His experience is deep and his teaching ability is second to none. He heads up the teaching seminars for the Boone County Beekeepers and also mans the beekeeping booth at the Missouri State Fair yearly. My story begins with our family orchard, West Orchards of Macon. I called Bob this spring to see if he would bring a couple hives to the orchard for pollination of the 900 apple trees and other fruit trees we have. He said he would and asked if I would help him prepare the hives to transport, and of course I jumped at the chance. I have been putting off personally raising bees for the 15 years since we planted the orchard because of time constraints, raising children and other endeavors. As the flowering period wore on, we removed the hives from the orchard, pollinating done, so I could begin a spray routine. A few weeks later one of my sons was mushroom hunting on our farm and found a large shag bark hickory tree that was cut down
the fall before when we had some local loggers come and do some selective logging. I had asked the loggers to keep an eye out for bee trees and not to cut them, but this I guess they did not notice. Anyway , I asked Bob to come and help me get this colony, and the quest for bees began. We have had all kinds of great experiences this year right up until last evening, getting calls from all over the county with bees in old hollow trees that the landowners wanted removed or in walls of homes and other places. My website for the orchard has a link to the bee experiences that I’ve had with Bob this year. He is patient with me and has helped me set up an observation hive that is the hit of our orchard building sales room with all the kids that come through. It is the first thing that most people, even older ones, migrate to when they come through our front door. He has provided equipment and gas and we have spent many hours together getting bees and even transporting bees to other places for pumpkin pollination. I now have eight colonies in hive boxes on my farm, all since May of this year, and we have added to his colonies as well.
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Bob Brammer, at right, of Macon is presented the MSBA’s inaugural Mentor of the Year award by President Grant Gillard.
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April 2011
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A good mentor can make all the difference for a new beekeeper by Eugene Makovec Remember how clueless you were when you got your first package of bees? I sure do. I kept copious notes those first couple of years, as my level of enthusiasm was high but my store of knowledge low. I recently dusted off that old notebook, and I’m not sure whether to classify the work as tragedy or comedy. I ordered my bees late, received them later, lost my queen, foiled their efforts at supersedure (I thought I was cutting out swarm cells), finally ordered a replacement and somehow, barely, got that first colony through winter. One of my problems is I’m just not good at asking for help. Even though beekeepers are almost universally friendly and helpful, and I remain in debt to a couple of local experts for their advice in times of need, I was always reluctant, even embarrassed, to “bother” anyone until the situation was dire. So I just muddled along, read all I could get my hands on, and tried to apply what I learned to my own situation. But as one old-timer told me early on, “Your bees won’t always read the same books you do.” A couple seasons in, I realized they weren’t even in the same library! Several years ago, shortly after CCD became a media frenzy, our local club hosted a beginning beekeeping workshop. The response was incredible, filling the meeting room to its capacity of 150 with dozens more turned away. We ended up with close to 100 new beekeepers that spring, practically doubling our membership. Now, imagine the difficulty in managing a club in which half your members have no experience. An early effort was made to set up a formal mentoring program, but it quickly fell into disarray. At one early meeting, I was one of a number of experienced members tabbed to head up breakout groups of newbees for a half hour how-doyou-do, where-do-you-live, call-me-for-help session. We had a nice discussion about hive placement, package installation and the like, but I don’t think I ever talked to any of those people again. Okay, maybe that says more about me than it does about the Formal gatherings like this 2008 package installation workshop by Eastern Missouri Beekeepers are invaluable in the education of new beekeepers. But they are no substitute for the personal attention a mentor can give. Photo by Eugene Makovec
mentoring program, but suffice it to say, the initiative did not go far, at least not on a formal basis. But I did end up unofficially mentoring several new beekeepers that year, a couple of whom I’d met at the workshop, one who inherited a swarm I caught in her neighbor’s yard, and others who found me on the membership roster when they needed help. These relationships were very informal, and very much dependent on those individuals calling or emailing with questions in times of need. This informality has its good and bad points. One woman in particular called me out of the blue a week after receiving her package bees. She was frantic because she couldn’t find her queen, the weather had turned cold, and she feared for the worst. I gave her a little advice and a lot of reassurance, and asked her to keep me posted. I didn’t even get her last name. After two months of not hearing anything, and fearing that her bees had died and I was to blame, I managed to track her down. Everything turned out fine, she said, and I’m so glad you called, because I really need some advice but I didn’t want to bother you again. I ended up making a couple of visits to this woman’s house to inspect her bees with her, and later in the summer she and her husband had me over for dinner to thank me for my assistance. We’ve been friends ever since. Half the battle in these situations is just convincing someone that yes, you really do want to help, and no, you really don’t mind them calling for advice. Most importantly, I made it clear to them at the outset that I was willing to drop by and take a look in person. Our local association does have regular programs for beginners, including some hands-on workshops at the club’s own beeyard. But while looking through someone else’s bees is very helpful, and more than I got when I started out, it’s still no substitute for sorting through your own bees with the help of a veteran. Looking back on all the troubles I had those first couple of years, it sure would have been nice to have an experienced pair of eyes looking over my shoulder once or twice. Both my bees and I would have been better off as a result. At our recent Spring Meeting, we debuted our new Mentor of the Year award to recognize members who go out of their way to assist aspiring apiarists. Please consider donating your time and expertise for the benefit of a new beekeeper. Mentoring can be a very rewarding experience for the experienced beekeeper. And for the beginner, it can mean the difference between a fun, rewarding hobby and an expensive, discouraging failure.
Page 10
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Cookin’ with Honey!
Coming Soon …
(This recipe was provided by Joyce Justice, and was served at the Spring Meeting wine and cheese reception.)
by John Timmons
Honey oney Cheese Ball
1/4 cup Honey 2 - 8 oz pkgs. cream cheese 1 - 8 oz pkg. shredded sharp cheddar cheese 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled. (less will work, I think I used about 5) 4-6 green onions chopped 1 - 4.5 oz can diced jalapeno peppers. (Check this, it may be too many. I use half this amount, best to taste and make to your liking.) Mix all ingredients in a bowl and roll into ball. Refrigerate overnight. Serve with your favorite crackers.
Honey oney Pumpkin Pecan Loaves
(This recipe won a blue ribbon for Dolores Vivian at our Spring Meeting Cooking Contest.) 3 1/2 Cups unbleached flour 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp allspice 1/2 tsp cloves 1 can (15 oz) solid-pack pumpkin 1 3/4 cups HONEY 1 cup canola oil 4 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup chopped pecans Sift together the dry ingredients. Set aside. Mix together the eggs, pumpkin, HONEY and oil. Add the flour mixture a little at a time and stir well after each addition. Add pecans. Pour into two greased loaf pans. Bake in 325 degree F oven for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean. Makes 2 loaves.
How to Enter Your Hive Products in the 2011 Missouri State Fair! Do you think your bees can produce “blue-ribbon” honey? What about their wax? Is it the best? Are you interested in a fun way to stack your hive products up against other beekeepers in the state? Then you need to enter your honey, wax and other hive products in this year’s Missouri State Fair competition! Don’t know how? Don’t know the rules? We’re here to help! John Timmons, Vice-President of MSBA, along with Ted Jansen, long-time State Fair blue ribbon winner, are putting the final touches on a detailed article explaining the how, why, do’s and don’ts of Missouri State Fair Apiculture competition. They’ll explain the different categories of competition, including those for both individuals and clubs. They’ll take you through the competition rules, judging guidelines, and even share a few secrets to winning that blue ribbon for yourself or your local association. It’s not too soon to start thinking about your entries. The Missouri State Fair begins August 11th! Look for release and distribution of this informative article within the next few weeks. Get involved in the Missouri State Fair Apiculture competition for 2011!
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April 2011
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April 2011
Page 13
Local Beekeepers Associations 1 Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
2 Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 1:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia President Jim Duever 573-254-3373 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
3 Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
4 Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
5 Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
6 Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
7 Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
8 Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
9 Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
10 Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 2nd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Andy Nowachek, President 913-438-5397
11 Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Bernie Andrew 217-938-4975
12 Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Scenic Regional Library, Union Contact Rodney Angell 573-764-2922 bee143@fidnet.com
13 Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of each month, 108 Harrison, Farmington Contact Gene Wood 573-431-1436
14 Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
15 SEMO Honey Producers
2nd Thursday of month, Poplar Bluff Extension Office Contact Ernie Wells 573-429-0222 wells.ernie@gmail.com
16 South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
17 Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”)
3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. United Methodist Church, Hwy 37 NW of Monett Leon Riggs, President 417-235-5053
18 Southwest Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Glenn W. Smith 417-548-2255
19 Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
20 Northwest Missouri Bee Busters
1st Monday of odd months, 7:00 p.m. 511 4th Street, Conception Junction, MO 64434 Gerald Auffert, President 660-944-2535
21 Lake of the Ozarks Beekeepers
3rd Saturday of month, 1:00 p.m. UMC Extension Office, 100 E. Newton,Versailles MO Contact Russell Kasnick 573-372-3122
Can’t find a local near you? Contact our President or Vice President for assistance starting a new one!
Page 14
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
April 2011 Honey Queen report by Lillian-Grace Misko Greetings everyone, Your Missouri Honey Queen has done it—she has received her first bee sting! I cannot say that I received the bee sting on accident by peeking into a hive or by accidentally aggravating a bee. It was actually done on purpose at the MSBA’s Spring Meeting this past March in Branson. As some may know, I had surgery on my knee and ankle a few years ago. Unfortunately, I developed quite a bit of scar tissue. After listening to a wonderful apitherapist (Reyah Carlson) on bee venom therapy, I was given the chance to have a sting right there in front of everyone at the workshop. How could I have said “no”? As an advocate for the bees, it is best for me to be as familiar with the honey bee and beekeeping as possible. Many people are afraid of being stung. Now I can say I have been stung and it was not bad. I have gone through conventional medical treatment for my right leg and now I am excited that there are also natural approaches and options available (in my backyard!). I was told that researchers are even looking into bee venom therapy for cancer patients. The honey bee is such a fascinating insect! The Spring Meeting was educating and enjoyable! I especially had a delightful time meeting with the attendees in the “Hospitality Room”. I thank all who contributed and who helped put the room together— it was very enjoyable and a success! I thought it was a great idea to have the cooking contestants’ treats for all of us to sample in the room; I hope many more people take up the opportunity to enter next year! Many went beyond generosity to support me at the MSBA Spring Meeting and I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart! Summer plans are starting to form. I am excited to be scheduled to visit and teach at a few schools. I will also be taking an observation hive and teaching a Girl’s Scout Troupe! I would love to be present at any opportunities as a promoter of the honey bee; please contact Joyce Justice if you have an event in mind for me to assist at! Lillian-Grace Misko Missouri Honey Queen 2011
Page 15
Directory of Officers President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson MO 63755 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: John Timmons 636-940-8202 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles MO 63303 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Steve Moeller 573-886-0662 7035 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia MO 65202 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com Southern Director: Dave Kayser 417-767-2435 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 314-805-6451 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-703-7650 4849 Highway V, Villa Ridge MO 63089 editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia MO 65211
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with â&#x20AC;&#x153;email newsletterâ&#x20AC;? in the subject line. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
Business card size Quarter page
$15.00 $35.00
Half page Full page
$50.00 $100.00
Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
June 2011 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
It’s State Fair time again! Mark your calendar now for, It’s A Show-Me Thing!, August 11 to 21 in Sedalia. Prepare to be entertained by the best show-offs in the state from livestock to competitive exhibitors, and the amazing free professional entertainment package. The 2011 Missouri State Fair will be the premier summer Pack your bags event of the year you don’t want to miss! and fly out to The fair will showcase the best of Missouri agriculture; competitions Sedalia for the from bull riding to tractor pulls; professional entertainment from 2011 Missouri Lynyrd Skynyrd to Kenny Wayne Shepherd; rural lifestyle State Fair! experiences; hands-on science, technology and innovation; familyfriendly amenities for everyone from infants to mature adults; and action-packed activities. The Missouri State Fair is the perfect blend of activities for a memorable family outing. The midway carnival includes games and rides for children and thrill seekers of all ages. The nightlife on the fairgrounds kicks up each evening with free music on the Budweiser Stage and music stars performing on the stage of the Pepsi Grandstand. Admission at the gate: $8; age 60+, $6; ages 6-12, $2; 5 and under free. Tickets can be purchased in advance for a discount. See www.mostatefair.com for schedules and details. Submitting products for sale at our booth: As always, the MSBA will host its Honey Booth to promote honey and beekeeping. Missouri beekeepers will again have an opportunity to supply honey and related products for sale at the booth. Anyone interested is asked to submit bids by June 22 to: Ron Vivian, Treasurer, Missouri State Beekeepers Association, PO Box 448, Oak Grove, MO 64075. A bid sheet is printed on page 9 of this newsletter. Entering your products in competition: Beekeepers can also enter the fruits of their labor in competition. Categories include everything from extracted and comb honey to beeswax and even observation hives. For a list of categories, visit http://www.mostatefair.com/premium-guide/Premium-Guide.php. Click on “Agriculture, Fine Arts & Economics”, then download the “Agriculture Entry Blank”, as well as the “Agriculture Rules & Classes” PDF, with “Bee Culture” on page 2. Be sure to supply your Social Security number on the entry form in order to be paid for any winnings. The MSBA will also match prize money won by members in these individual competitions. In addition to individual entries, local clubs will again compete against each other. Last year’s club winner was Eastern MO Beekeepers, while Midwestern member Jim Fisher took the Individual Grand Champion award. Booth workers needed As always, our Honey Booth cannot operate without the generous help of MSBA members. Dean Sanders, our Fair Chairman, is recruiting volunteers now. It’s a great excuse to spend a couple of days in Sedalia taking in all that this wonderful state has to offer. Last year, in addition to individual volunteers, several local associations sent groups to Sedalia to help out. We would like to see that kind of effort again this year; in fact, our success depends on it. The Fair is one of our most important opportunities to let the public know we’re here to educate and promote beekeeping and all the wonderful products and services honeybees and their keepers provide. Weather permitting, it can also be an important fundraiser for our group. Please call Dean at 816-456-4683 to volunteer your time.
From the President .............. 2 Winter Loss Survey ... 3 Fall Meeting registration 5
Corpse flower at UMSL ... 10 Stench attracts pollinators Spring Meeting preview ... 10
Eugene Makovec
Plan now for Lake of the Ozarks
St. Louis, here we come!
Fall Meeting preview ... 6 Beekeeping of yesteryear ... 7
Cranlimmple punch
Do wild colonies spread disease?
Mining the bee genome ... 8 State Fair bid sheet ... 9 Social media webinars ... 10
Cookin’ with honey ... 11 Local associations ............ 13 Membership application .. 14 Honey Queen report ....... 15 Directory of officers .......... 15
Page 2 From the President
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
graduated from Truman State in Kirksville and next week I have a by Grant Gillard trip to Colorado planned. There’s I’ve been swamped....literally and figuratively. been a lot on my plate this spring. In Southeast Missouri, it’s been nothing but rain, rain and I’ve survived worse storms, but rain. Then we’ve had mud, flooding and tornadoes. Now, what I learned from this spring is everything is swarming. My bees are grumpy and irritable. that hives heavy with brood and I’m grumpy and irritable. stores can withstand a lot of wind. In the early part of the spring, most of my yards were simply Hives with substance survive the too wet to get into, even with a four-wheel drive vehicle storms. Unfortunately, my hives and monster mud tires. I missed the opportunity to give my were light, though populations appeared to be above bees a little 1:1 stimulative feeding. Then it was too muddy average. to reverse my boxes, though technically, I’m a big fan of the As I’m running around, it dawned on me that people of Demaree manipulations. character and integrity can withstand a lot of turmoil in So my hives went unattended. And I continually preach their lives as well. Lives with substance survive the storms. there is no room for procrastination in beekeeping. But I draw a large measure of hope knowing the bees are what could I do? remarkably resilient. I’ve witnessed several colonies in bee Then the tornadoes and straight-line winds came toppling trees that blew down in the storms, surviving that sudden the hives in my bee yards, mostly in Scott County. Every jolt when the tree hit the ground, then reorienting the design day a new storm. Every day another phone call from one of the hive as their home now lay in a new position at a new of my nervous landlords that my hives blew over. Every angle. I need a little of that resiliency as my beekeeping life day another trip down south, shoe-horned into an already seems to lay at a new angle. busy schedule. Every day another hike from the road to So I’m a little nervous this spring. I keep thinking warm the fence-row on the opposite side of the field to deal with weather is going to show up one of these days (please tell another yard of highly enraged bees. me it will). I have a large construction project that sits halfEaster was late this year, scheduled about as late as it could finished, a hole in the ground waiting for the rain to stop. I’m possibly be scheduled. Then there were those five funerals still optimistically looking forward to another good year. I had to do in April with the time spent with families in the As I near an opportunity for early retirement, I often ponder hospital that preceded those deaths. I lost one yard with what I could accomplish if I did nothing but beekeeping. This seven hives to the flooding. But there were more important year I’m grateful I’ve still got my day job. I hope your spring things to take care of and the families who needed my time is going better than mine. and energy. All the best, And there was a wedding in there, too. My daughter Grant
June 2011
Page 3
Honey Bee Winter Loss Survey Preliminary Results: Honey Bee Colony Losses in the U.S., Winter 2010-2011. April 27, 2011 Dennis vanEngelsdorp1, Jerry Hayes2, Dewey Caron3, James Wilkes4, Robyn Rose5, and Jeff Pettis6. Note: This is a preliminary analysis, and a more detailed final report is being prepared for publication at a later date. The Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted an online survey to estimate honey bee colony losses for the 2010/2011 winter season. A total of 5,572 U.S. beekeepers, or 20%(a) of the estimated number of beekeepers in the country, responded. Collectively these beekeepers managed over 15%(b) of the country’s estimated 2.68 million colonies. Preliminary survey results indicate that 30% of managed honey bee colonies in the United States were lost during the 2010/2011 winter. The percentage of losses has remained relatively steady (near or above 30%) over the last 5 years. Specifically, previous survey results indicated 34% of the total colony loss in the winters of 2009/2010; 29% in 2008/2009; 36% in 2007/2008; and 32% in 2006/2007. If we consider colony losses within individual beekeepers’ operations, then responding U.S. beekeepers lost an average of 38.4% of their operation. This is a 3.8 point or 9.0% decrease in the average operational loss experienced by U.S. beekeepers during the winter of 2009/2010. Beekeepers reported that, on average, they felt losses of 13% would be acceptable. Sixty-one
percent of responding beekeepers reported having losses greater than this. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a phenomenon in which an entire colony of bees abruptly disappears from its hive. Of beekeepers surveyed who reported losing some colonies, 31% lost at least some of their colonies without the presence of dead bees. We cannot confirm that these colonies had CCD, but respondents to this question reported higher average colony losses (61%) than those respondents who lost colonies but did not report the absence of dead bees (34%). It is important to note that this survey only reports on losses that occur during the winter and does not capture the colony losses that occur throughout the summer as queens or entire colonies fail and need to be replaced. Preliminary data from other survey efforts suggest that these “summer losses” can also be significant. Beekeepers can replace colonies lost in the summer and winter by splitting the populations of surviving colonies to establish a new hive. This process is expensive, so replacing 30% of the nation’s colonies annually is not considered sustainable over the long-term. a Based on 2007 Ag census b Based on NASS 2010 figures 1. Dennis vanEngelsdorp, The Pennsylvania State University/ Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA), Past-President dennis. vanengelsdorp@gmail.com 717-884-2147 2. Jerry Hayes, Florida Department of Agriculture, AIA Past President, hayesg@doacs.state.fl.us 352 372-3505 3. Dewey Caron, Oregon State Univ., carond@hort. oregonstate.edu 302 353-9914 4. James T. Wilkes, Appalachian State University, wilkesjt@ appstate.edu, 828-262-2370 5. Robyn Rose, USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine, Riverdale, MD, robyn.i.rose@aphis.usda.gov, 301-734-7121. 6. Jeff Pettis USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, jeff.pettis@ars.usda.gov, 301 504-8205
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall 2011 Lake of the Ozarks Conference Registration Form List all attendees names as you want printed on the name tags, include any pertinent information such as; Beekeeper of the Year (list year), name of honey business, Master Beekeeper, Past President, etc. NAME: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________________________ CITY: ___________________________________ STATE:_____________ ZIP+4: _________________LOCAL CLUB:_____________________ PHONE: __________________________________E-MAIL: ______________________________________________________________________ REGISTRATION MEMBER
$30 X ___________= ___________________
MEMBER FAMILY (must have paid 2011 dues as a family)
$40 X ___________= ___________________
NON-MEMBER
$35 X ___________= ___________________
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION (Prior to October 21) MEMBER
$25 X ___________ = __________________
MEMBER FAMILY (must have paid 2011 dues as a family)
$35.00___________ = __________________
NON-MEMBER
$30 X ____________=___________________
WINE TASTING SOCIAL - Thursday PAID REGISTRANT
Free X ____________= Free
NOT A PAID REGISTRANT
$5.00 X _______ = ______________
FRIDAY LUNCH Baked Potato, Salad, Cookie & Brownie Bar
$14.00 X _________ = __________________
Children
$ 7.00 X __________ = _________________
FRIDAY NIGHT QUEEN BANQUET Roasted Pork Loin Buffet
$23.00 X ___________ = ________________
Children
$11.50 X __________ = ________________
SATURDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET
$10.75 X___________= ________________
Children
$5.00 X___________= _________________
SATURDAY LUNCH Country Club Cookout Buffet – Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
$16.50 X __________ = _________________
Children
$ 8.25 X ___________= ________________
MSBA – 2012 MEMBERSHIP Individual
Renewal
New
$15.00
____________________
Family
Renewal
New
$20.00
____________________
Queen Fund Donation Meeting Fund Donation
_ __________________ __ __ _______________ TOTAL:
______________________
Please make checks payable to: Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Send to: Cathy Hogan, PO Box 281, Boss, MO 65440-0281, 573-626-4493. If you pre-register and then cannot attend, your registration fee will be considered a donation and no refund will be made. If you pay for meals and we are able to sell them, you will be refunded for those. Please note – no receipts will be sent. Checks will be deposited after the meeting.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall Meeting preview:
Lake of the Ozarks, October 28 & 29, 2011 (with special events October 27) Why is it good to attend the semi-annual MSBA meetings? People at our meetings are going to be interested in beekeeping and our environment. You can make invaluable connections with such soulmates, and friendships which can last for decades. We used to call this “making the connection”. We now tend to call it “networking”. Either way, it is heartening to know that others are interested in the same things you are, so take the time to meet new people and enlarge your circle of beekeeping connections. We will gather at Lake Ozark and our host hotel will be the Country Club Hotel & Spa, 301 Carol www.countryclubhotel.com Road, Lake Ozark MO 65049, 800-964-6698. We have negotiated some very good rates; to receive this discount, you must make your reservation by October 6, and identify yourself as a Missouri Beekeeper. Deluxe Guest Room - $84 + tax Jr. Suite - $84 + tax Two Bedroom (two baths) Condominium Villa - $140 + tax Three Bedroom (two baths) 1560 sq. ft. Condominium Villa -$150 + tax Our special guest speakers are: Dr. Marla Spivak, Distinguished McKnight Professor, Department of Entomology, Univ. of Minn. Marla’s interest in bees began when she worked for a commercial beekeeper from New Mexico in 1975. She later completed her B.A. in Biology from Humboldt State University in northern California, and her PhD from the University of Kansas, under Dr. Orley “Chip” Taylor, in 1989. She spent two years in Costa Rica conducting her thesis research on the identification and ecology of Africanized and European honey bees. From 1989-1992 she did postdoctoral research at the Center for Insect Science at the University of Arizona. She began as Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota in 1993. Influenced by Martha Gilliam and Steve Taber from the USDA Bee lab in Tucson, she became interested in hygienic behavior of honey bees. This interest has expanded into studies of “social immunity”, including the benefits of propolis to the immune system of honey bees. Ed Levi. Having started keeping bees in France in the early 1970’s, Ed is now the State Bee Inspector for Arkansas, and has been Secretary of the Apiary Inspectors of America for many years. He is a Master Beekeeper, certified through the EAS program. Ed keeps bees, produces honey and raises queens. He is a highly sought-after speaker, having traveled the world conducting beekeeping extension initiatives in third world countries. He is knowledgeable about beekeeping and promotes the use of IPM methods and minimizing the use of chemicals. Ed also does a lot of consulting in developing countries throughout Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. C. Marina Marchese is founder and owner of Red Bee Honey; she sells honey and natural products to gourmet food shops and fine restaurants all over the United States. Certified by the American Apitherapy Society, she has trained as a honey judge at the University of Georgia and serves on the board of Back Yard Beekeepers Association of Connecticut. Marina has written for Bee Culture magazine and the Journal of the American Apitherapy Society, and Red Bee Honey was the cover Ed Levi story of the American Bee Journal in 2004. Marina lives and tends bees in Weston, Connecticut. Book signing. Michael Arduser, Natural History Biologist, Missouri Department of Conservation Bob Finck – Making Mead • Started beekeeping in 1980, currently maintains around 125 hives • Markets honey and beeswax, numerous State Fair Blue Ribbon awards for honey and wax last 25 years • Spent 42 years working as a Food Chemist for Allen Foods (25), Arcobasso Foods (6) and Pevely Dairy (11). Retired May, 2010, can now enjoy beekeeping at its fullest “every day”, twenty-four-seven. Enjoys mentoring new beekeepers and “talking bees and honey” • Started making mead 2000 • Served two 5 year terms as president of Eastern MO Beekeepers Assn., and served in other board positions most of his 30 year membership. C. Marina ZMarchese
June 2011
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Fall Meeting preview (continued) Steve Moeller – Managing Bees in Single Brood Chambers; Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer - He began keeping bees in 1974 while living near Odessa. Shortly thereafter Steve joined the MSBA and in 1983 became a member of the Midwestern Beekeepers in the KC area where he is still a member. Today he lives just outside Columbia, is a member of the Boone Regional Beekeepers and is currently serving as secretary of the MSBA. Art & Vera Gelder – Lunch and Tour of Their Bee Operation and Agri Tourism Farm in Columbia Fred Meder - How to Build a Better Mouse Trap (Catching Swarms) - Fred is a 48 year old beekeeper from Troy, MO., was born in St. Louis, MO, but grew up in Farmington, MO until he moved to Arizona. He joined the U.S. Army and served for 12 years on Active Duty. In 1999 he was placed on Medical Retirement. Fred moved to Troy, MO in 2004. With the help and supervision of Ian Brown, Fred began beekeeping in 2009 with one hive of Russian Bees. Fred now has around 65 hives. He has bees in Troy, Elsberry, and Montgomery City, Missouri. His favorite season is “Swarm Season”.
Competitions: Cooking (white yeast bread, candy [no fudge], chili, popcorn); Needle work; Soap
Special events: Thursday – Tour & Lunch at Walk About Acres, wine social with 7c’s wine, movie “The Secret Life of Bees” Friday – spouses card party, cooking contest, needlework contest, soap contest, chair massages, Honey Queen Reception Saturday – ladies shopping Art and Vera Gelder discuss farmers’ markets at the 2011 Spring Meeting
Beekeeping of Yesteryear A look back at the literature of the last century Wild bee colonies likely not a haven for disease Oakland Tribune Monday, October 22, 1934, Oakland, California Madison, Wisc. -- Wild bees inhabiting bee trees do not serve as infection centers for bee diseases, says Wisconsin State Entomologist E.L. Chambers of the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Records of the state entomologist’s office show that of the hundreds of bee trees which have been cut down, not one has ever been found infected. This is not due to the fact that wild bees are healthier, but because there is little chance to spread infection. Even though a swarm of wild bees did become infected, Mr. Chambers explains, when a tree is deserted, squirrels, chipmunks, mice and other rodents soon clean out all the old wax and honey that may remain. Almost every particle of wood that even smells of honey will be cleaned out by such rodents, and as a result, any new swarm taking possession of a tree must build entirely new wax foundations. A further feature of the rodent clean-up is that the cleaning-up process goes on during the winter so that no domestic bees ever find the wax or honey. Thanks to Joe Waggle’s Historical Honeybee Articles, on the web at Wild bee trees like this one felled near Smithton, IL, are not likely to spread http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles/ disease to managed hives. photo by Eugene Makovec
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Mining the Honey Bee Genone May 10, 2011, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, One Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY From Nature.com Newsblog; posted by Gwyneth Dickey Zakaib What does it mean for a community that focuses on one organism to have that organism’s genome sequenced? Just ask researchers who gathered this week at the Honey Bee Genomics and Biology Meeting at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island, New York. It’s the first time such a conference has been held since the honey bee genome was sequenced, and over the course of the past three days it’s become abundantly clear that this is a field transformed, greatly expanded and diversified from just four years ago. “Before the genome... studying bees was kind of esoteric,” says Harland Patch, a behavioral genomicist at Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania. “But since the genome, you have these genomic molecular tools, you have a lot of people coming into the field with new skill sets, new money, as well as very interesting problems.” Some of those problems could be crucial to the well being of honey bees and their all-important role as pollinators of food crops. They include factors related to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a syndrome which began devastating Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in the US around the same time the genome was being sequenced. The urgency of the CCD crisis, along with the arrival of a new way to explore honey bee susceptibilities and genetic defenses, has brought a flood of new researchers into the field. “We were stumbling along with less than 10 immune genes before the genome,” says Jay Evans, a research entomologist at the US Department of Agriculture’s Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. “And then with the genome we had a hundred or more instantly.” Researchers have been able to identify new bee pathogens and start suggesting new ways to mitigate their threats, Evans adds. And scientists have begun to answer questions about variations in immune response and what types of pathogens trigger those responses. “These were questions that were already there that weren’t really being addressed because we didn’t have the tools,” Evans says. Then there are those scientists, formerly from outside bee research, who study epigenetics – heritable changes in gene expression that don’t involve changes to the underlying DNA. It turns out that unlike Drosophila melanogaster (the first insect genome to be sequenced) the honey bee is fully capable of tagging genes with methyl groups to change gene expression in the long term, a process known as methylation. Scientists used to think insects lacked this ability. “Before, nobody realized that drosophila was the outlier,” says Greg Hunt. After the honeybee, many other insect genomes have been sequenced and were also found to have methylation genes, he adds. “We’re learning a lot more about insects in general,
social insects in particular.” Others have started looking at the genes involved in producing the different bee types in a colony. Queens, nurses and foragers all have the same genome, but have vastly differing body characteristics and behaviors depending on their type. Researchers want to know which factors affect which genes and act to change regulation over a lifetime. Still others have flocked to honey bee research to pick apart how social behavior evolved. By comparing bees with other social insects such as ants, as well as solitary insects, they can use comparative genomics to figure out if new genes arose or if old ones were co-opted to produce social behavior. “For anyone interested in the evolution of complex traits, this is a nice system where we can do comparative work,” says Christina Grozinger, an entomologist at Penn State. But all this genomic information is also changing the necessary skill set of future scientists, says Olav Rueppell of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. “I am thrilled by the computational progress, and I’m a little bit daunted, too,” he says. “I’m thinking about my students and how unprepared they are for doing projects that involve gigabytes of data and computational methods. I’m coming away with the feeling that we need to change our undergraduate curriculum to build in more math, more computers.” And even with a sequenced honey bee genome, there are many more questions that remain to be answered, starting with: What do all these genes do? “After this hype of all the genome projects, we are now in need of people who know about physiology and behavior and we have to come back to the tedious task of figuring out what all these genes do,” says Dorothea Eisenhardt, a junior professor at the Freie Universitat Berlin in Germany. One thing the arrival of the honey bee genome has not done is hand bee researchers all the secrets of their favourite organism laid out in a convenient recipe book -- an often overused metaphor. Instead, says Patch, “the genome has opened up a huge vista that is seemingly unending.” This “Catch the Buzz” message brought to you by Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, published by A.I. Root Company.
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY 220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919) White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
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June 2011
Missouri State Fair Bid Sheet
QUANTITY NEEDED
25 singles 60 singles 8 cases 12 cases 9 cases 12 cases 5 cases 5 cases 150 pcs 50 pcs 175 singles 1 case 1000
50 pcs 40 pcs 100 pcs
YOUR PRICE EACH
QUANTITY NEEDED 100 pcs
100 pcs
30 pcs 20 pcs 2 cases
COMMENTS:
ITEM Lip Balm Containing Honey/Beeswax Describe: Hand Lotion Containing Honey/Beeswax Describe: Pollen 8 oz 1 lb Hard Candy Assorted Novelty Items Honey Dippers Honey Pot Style ______________ Style ______________ Clothing Describe: Describe: Describe: Describe: Beekeeping Related Books Describe: Describe: Describe: Describe: Describe:
Submitted by _______________________________________ Phone ____________________
ITEM Extracted Honey Gallon 5 lb Jug 2 lb Jar 1 lb Jar 24 oz Bear 12 oz Bear Chunk Honey; Size _____ (Large Jar) Niblet; Pint Jar Comb Honey Cut Comb Ross Rounds Creamed Honey Plain Honey Sticks, assorted flavors BEESWAX & BYPRODUCTS Candles Rolled Dipped Molded Novelty 1 oz Molded Beeswax (approx wt.) 1 lb Beeswax Block Soap containing honey and/or beeswax Describe: Describe:
YOUR PRICE EACH
Page 10
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
DRAPER’S SUPER BEE Specializing in:
Bee Pollen Beekeeping Supplies Containers Observation Hives Call for a free pollen sample & supply catalog
(402) 274-3725
Corpse flower makes stink at UMSL May 17, 2011, Kylie Shafferkoetter, UMSL Newsroom It’s stinky. It’s odd looking. And it only blooms once or twice a decade. The ever-interesting corpse flower showed off its elusive bloom at the University of Missouri–St. Louis this weekend. More than 300 people filed into a university greenhouse to see – and smell – the exotic plant during the 12-20 hours it was open. It’s been two years since a corpse flower last opened at UMSL, and eight long years before that. The plant, affectionately called “Archie,” is a titan arum, whose scientific name is Amorphophallus titanium. Archie is actually not a flower at all, but an unbranched inflorescence – the largest in the world. A native of Sumatra, an island in western Indonesia, it is known for the pungent odor – similar to rotting meat – that the “flower” gives off when it opens. The smell is designed to attract carrion beetles that pollinate the plants. “This plant is unpredictable and fascinating. You never know when it will bloom,” said Kathy Upton, research specialist and greenhouse manager at UMSL. “When it finally happens it’s really exciting. It has so many interesting features – from its odd shape and stinky odor to its giant size and ability to heat itself up to above room temperature. You don’t want to miss seeing
this incredible plant.” Upton added, “It was fun to watch Archie’s flower progressively open wider throughout the day and into the evening. The odor really increased after the sun went down, and reminded me of cooked cabbage. I’m looking forward to watching our second flower, Betty, and to attempt to create an UMSL hybrid with pollen from Archie.” Upton has grown the plant for 16 years after receiving seeds from Jim Symon, a collector. Archie bloomed in 1998, the first such plant to bloom in the U.S. since 1939. Archie is the fourth plant to produce a flower from the original seed batch. His sister, Betty, is getting ready to bloom, so it’s not too late to experience the corpse flower. More information: umsl.edu/~biology/titan_arum
Learn social media marketing via webinar from University of MO The following comes to us from Debi Kelley, Extension Associate at the University of Missouri: Join the Missouri Beginning Farmers Program’s monthly webinars for the month of June. This month we will take a look at just how social media can boost your marketing plan and sales. Lane McConnell is an agriculture marketing consultant who grew up on a livestock farm in southwest Missouri. She has worked for the Brownfield Farm Radio Network and Missouri Department of Agriculture, where she specialized in the local foods industry. Lane runs Agri-Comm Services, a marketing business in Hollister, MO and works with the businesses on developing innovative marketing campaigns, including social media. She is also spear-heading “The Market Lady” specialty crop grant project in southern Missouri this summer. In the first webinar Lane will introduce all the different arenas of social media (facebook, blogs, twitter, etc.). In the second and third webinars, Lane will present live demonstrations on the stepby-step process of these different social media outlets. If you’ve been thinking about social media or have been wondering how to increase the sales on your farm, join in for each of these webinars and get a jump start on marketing your farm and farm products. Meeting Name: Social Media Marketing Introduction When: Monday June 6, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Time Zone: Central Time (US and Canada) To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r59532978/ Meeting Name: Social Media Marketing Live Demonstrations Part 1 When: Monday June 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Time Zone: Central Time (US and Canada) To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r44829575/ Meeting Name: Social Media Marketing Live Demonstrations Part 2 When: Monday June 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm Time Zone: Central Time (US and Canada) To join the meeting: http://univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/r62273718/
2012 SPRING MEETING PREVIEW March 9-10, 1212, with special events on March 8, Marriott, West St. Louis. Special speakers include: Jerry Hayes (Florida) Dr. Greg J. Hunt (Indiana) David Burns (Illinois) C. Marina Marchese (Connecticut). Contests to be held: Cooking with honey (bread, [machine], brownies/blondes, jam/jelly), mead, beeswax art.
June 2011
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Cookin’ with Honey! Cranlimmple ranlimmple Punch
(This recipe is featured in Lillian-Grace Misko’s 2011 Honey Queen brochure, and is perfect for these hot summer months!) Dissolve: 3/4 c raw Honey 1/4 - 1/3 c Lime Concentrate (Hot) Add and mix: 64 oz bottle Cranberry Cocktail Juice 1 gal canned Pineapple Juice (pour half into ice-filled punch bowl) Add: 2 qt Ginger Ale (need 2 x 2L bottles) Dilute with Water and Ginger Ale to taste. Hint: This punch can be made more festive by adding frozen berries or thinly sliced oranges.
Walter T. Kelley Co. 800-233-2899 · www.kelleybees.com 807 W. Main St., Clarkson, KY
Proud to manufacture in America When it comes to beekeeping supplies, Kelley’s is the only name you need to know.
Best in service, quality and price!
WEAVER’S FAMOUS QUEENS And Package Bees
Buckfast & All-American BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES AND BEGINNER’S KITS THE R WEAVER APIARIES, INC. 16495 C.R. 319, NAVASOTA, TX 77868
Phone (936) 825-2333 FAX (936) 825-3642
EMAIL: rweaver@rweaver.com WEBSITE: www.rweaver.com
June 2011
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Local Beekeepers Associations 1 Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
2 Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 1:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia President Jim Duever 573-254-3373 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
3 Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
4 Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
5 Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
6 Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
7 Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
8 Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
9 Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
10 Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 2nd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Andy Nowachek, President 913-438-5397
11 Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Bernie Andrew 217-938-4975
12 Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Scenic Regional Library, Union Contact Rodney Angell 573-764-2922 bee143@fidnet.com
13 Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of month, 7pm, Ozark Federal Savings & Loan President Bob Brenneke 573-518-1997 or 573-631-2782
14 Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
15 SEMO Honey Producers
2nd Thursday of month, Poplar Bluff Extension Office Contact Ernie Wells 573-429-0222 wells.ernie@gmail.com
16 South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
17 Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”)
3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. United Methodist Church, Hwy 37 NW of Monett Leon Riggs, President 417-235-5053
18 Southwest Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Glenn W. Smith 417-548-2255
19 Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
20 Northwest Missouri Bee Busters
1st Monday of odd months, 7:00 p.m. 511 4th Street, Conception Junction, MO 64434 Gerald Auffert, President 660-944-2535
21 Lake of the Ozarks Beekeepers
3rd Saturday of month, 1:00 p.m. UMC Extension Office, 100 E. Newton,Versailles MO Contact Russell Kasnick 573-372-3122
Can’t find a local near you? Contact our President or Vice President for assistance starting a new one!
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
June 2011 Honey Queen report by Lillian-Grace Misko Greetings all, What a spectacular Spring season this has been! Proving to be a busy time for the beekeeper, keeping up with hive checks and feeding bees when need be. I do wonder how many of you have had the pleasure of catching swarms this year. I am getting quite excited to help my mom in her hives. She has decided to let me “mark” her queen bee. She has explained there are different ways and different tools that beekeepers will use to assist when “marking” the queen. Each year, there is a designated color set to the year to help beekeepers keep track of the age of their queens and when they were marked. This year’s designated color is white. Personally, I am hoping to wait until the queen backs up into a cell to lay an egg, while her abdomen is in the cell and her thorax is visible, and mark her then. I will keep you posted on how that goes, wish me luck! In April, I had the privilege of appearing for the Knob Noster Girl Scouts. With 30 attendees present, I brought in an observation hive, beekeeper tools, and hive equipment. Partnering with my mother, we covered honey bees, pollinators, and their habitat. All of the girls enjoyed it thoroughly! They made little “bee” shaped badges to pin to their vests. They were so sweet to make me one as well! I recently traveled to beautiful Granby, MO and presented to about 300 children in their school district. This was a time I will never forget. The children were so excited and eager to learn. There were kids from grades K-5. My 30-minute power point presentation covered who I am, what I do, and emphasized the honey bee, honey, and beekeeping. The children were really interested in learning about the different roles and biology of honey bees such as the worker, drone, and queen. The children also enjoyed watching a video of Beekeeper Gene working in his bee yard. One little girl asked if I was a real queen, and then asked if she could become a queen some day! I told her absolutely, some day she can apply to be the Missouri Honey Queen! June will be an exciting and busy month. I will be appearing at the Kansas Fun Day, the final day of the Renaissance Festival, and at Powell Gardens. Late June I will be traveling abroad to Europe. I am excited to be going with a group of friends to serve a ministry in another country. And you got it; I will definitely be keeping my eye open for any European honey bees and products! With care, Lillian-Grace Misko, 2011 Honey Queen
Heartland Honey and Beekeeping Supplies 19201 South Clare Road Spring Hill, KS 66061 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com
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Directory of Officers President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson MO 63755 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: John Timmons 636-940-8202 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles MO 63303 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Steve Moeller 573-886-0662 7035 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia MO 65202 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com Southern Director: Dave Kayser 417-767-2435 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 314-805-6451 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-703-7650 17 Great Lakes Dr., St. Peters MO 63376 editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia MO 65211
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with â&#x20AC;&#x153;email newsletterâ&#x20AC;? in the subject line. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
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Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
August 2011 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
MSBA website gets needed overhaul by Scott Moser If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen the Missouri State Beekeepers Association website recently, you should take a look. Thanks to the hard work of John Timmons and myself, the website has a fresh, new look, complete with more functionality and added convenience. The old website had been maintained status quo for several years, but technology had outpaced it; in short, it was time for a change. Early in the year, John approached me and wanted to help me design and set up a totally new MSBA website. The project took several months, but on July 25, the new website went live for the first time. The new site is in a state of constant updates and changes, so each time you visit you may find something new has been added, or something changed. As we progress, we have many ideas that we would like to implement with the website, including upto-date news, information, important dates to remember, and a new forum available for MSBA members to ask and answer questions. In addition, there is a link to the MSBA Facebook The queen gets her bees page as well. It is our goal, and hope, that the Missouri State Beekeepers Association website will be a showpiece for the club, and an invaluable tool for its members. The website can be found at www.mostatebeekeepers.org, or by searching for Missouri State Beekeepers Association through your favorite search engine.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the President .............. 2 Top bar hive ................... 3 Productive and educational Fall Meeting registration 5 Plan now for Lake of the Ozarks
Fall Meeting preview ... 6 Fall Meeting agenda ... 6 MSBA By-Laws changes ... 9 Up for vote at Fall Meeting
Joplin weathers the storm .. 10 Beekeepers look to the future From the Queen Chair ..... 10 2012 Queen search is on Fun at the State Fair ..... 11 Local associations ............ 13 Membership application .. 14 Honey Queen report ....... 15 Directory of officers .......... 15
In full royal regalia, Missouri Honey Queen Lillian-Grace Misko captures a swarm of bees from under a deck at a Warrensburg lumber store. For more on the story, see our Honey Queen Report on page 15. photo by Jesiah Misko
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President by Grant Gillard Happy New Year! Instead of breaking out the Champagne and party hats, I’m making splits and filling feeders. August 1st is my mythological New Year’s Day in my beekeeping world. This is when I hope to have all my honey supers off and I’m breaking down hives to make splits for my latest crop of queen cells. Key word is, “hope to.” Everything seems to be behind schedule this year. And this heat and humidity is so crazy even I don’t want to go out and work in it. Once I get all my honey off, I begin assessing queens to see if they need replacing. In my larger, more productive hives, I look to breaking them down into two, maybe three hives, the splits which will be given a queen cell. My supers have been light this year and there’s a lot of uncapped honey that will have to go into my splits instead of my extractor. Then the treatments begin. I’m very much a minimalist treatment person. I’ve never used the conventional chemical treatments such as Apistan and Checkmite+. In the past, I’ve favored the Food Grade Mineral Oil treatments (lots of work and needs to be repeated frequently -- hard to do as the number of your hives increases). I’ve thought of giving the powdered sugar treatments a try, but again, it takes multiple applications and I don’t have that kind of time. There’s a lot of new information on the MAQS formic acid treatments. I’ve been hearing some negative comments and it seems these work best on screen bottom boards (SBB). I really liked the Mite-Away pads but they were discontinued in the production of the MAQS (the quick strips). There are also a host of thymol treatments available. My preference is to work a couple of “soft” treatments as I doubt anything is 100% foolproof. This is the time to treat. And even with the so-called soft treatments, I don’t want to be treating any hive unless the honey supers are off. And the honey supers need protection as well from wax moths. August is a busy time. It’s also the time to feed. Before I feed, it’s my strong preference to get my hive configured for winter. This way, as I feed and treat, the bees have the opportunity to move the syrup around the hive to suit them. They also have time to cure it for winter consumption. I’m also sensitive to queens that may want to slow down or even quit laying eggs because of the nectar dearth. I want to keep them stimulated. Since it has been so dry, I’m already giving up on any kind of fall flow from the goldenrod. And sugar continues to rise in price. But I consider that buying a 25-pound bag of sugar at $14 is better than spending $100 on a nuc next spring. I’m continually reminded that beekeeping is a game of anticipation. With my New Year’s Day set for August 1st, I’m getting ready for winter and thinking about next spring. I’m making plans and dreaming big dreams. I’ve even making New Year’s resolutions for next spring as I assess what worked this year and what needed improving. That means I need to order my equipment
prior to winter instead of next spring when everyone else wants it and the items I need will be on back order. In my obsession to avoid being a day late and a dollar short, I make lists of what I need to be doing. But it’s not so much what I have to do, it’s what I want to make happen. Nothing important merely happens. In my beekeeping practices, August 1st begins my new year in beekeeping. All the best, Grant
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August 2011
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Top bar hive is made to order, and to observe by Tim Murphy (photos by Tim and Kathy Murphy) I first became interested in the Top Bar Hive (TBH) after three years of beekeeping with the Langstroth variety. I was constantly reading conflicting information regarding TBH and thought it would make a great challenge to build my own Top Bar and find out how things really happened. I found plans on the internet and modified them adding a few “bells and whistles”. It was a winter project that didn’t take very long and only cost me about $10, with most materials on-hand. My TBH is four feet long with 31 bars. There are entrances on both ends. The original idea (original ideas and reality are seldom found together in beekeeping) was to put a removable divider in the middle and have a colony in each end. It has a screened bottom board with mite boards and the bottom is also hinged so it can be dropped for cleaning. It has entrance holes at each end that can be closed, and lower entrances like a Langstroth with a landing ramp are sized to fit a Boardman feeder which may come in handy next Spring. It stands on patio blocks and the legs on the windward side are tied to metal rods stuck in the ground for more stability. The main feature is the observation window in one side. There is Plexiglas inside and the cover is removable from the outside. They don’t seem to care that every so often, the wall disappears for a few minutes and we are looking in! Since we are looking in from the side, protective equipment hasn’t been needed. So far. We found a large swarm in our yard on April 22nd, and after cutting the log they were on and hand carrying it to the hive in the Buzzz Buggy, aka golf cart (absolute truth!), we braced the log up against the hive and they all trooped right in, just like the books said they would. They went straight to the back and stayed in a ball for a few days and then went right to work. On May 8th, they had combed
out from bar 31 to bar 17! As of June 28th, they were down to bar 7. So much for housing two colonies. It’s fascinating to look through the window and see what they are doing in all the different stages. They have attached the sides of comb to the window and you can peer inside the cells at the honey and pollen stores. The comb cells are of various depths and contents. This would be an ideal hive for children to see and work with and for those who have trouble lifting the usual frames. Although the comb is fragile and must be moved with extreme care, it’s solid, new, clean wax and teaches one patience and experience in handling more so than the Langstroth frames. One of the debates is whether the Top Bar produces less honey than the Langstroth and it would appear to be a viable opinion. Another debate item is whether to put wax or foundation on the Bar to guide the bees in making their comb. Of the 31 bars in my hive, four had one-inch pieces of foundation attached, two had a brushing of melted beeswax, and 25 where just raw wood. The bees made their comb on the raw wood bars only, skipping the waxed bars completely. Debate over. Another of the differing opinions is if you can winter a Top Bar hive this far North. Only time will tell on that front. This August harvest will tell me a lot about the differences in the hives and the colony makeup. However, this hive is perfectly suited for seeing how the bees do things in “their world” as opposed to being manipulated by man. If you like a challenge and are halfway handy with hammer and nails, this would be a fine addition to any apiary. Top Bar Number 2 is on the to-do list for this winter.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall 2011 Lake of the Ozarks Conference Registration Form List all attendees names as you want printed on the name tags, include any pertinent information such as; Beekeeper of the Year (list year), name of honey business, Master Beekeeper, Past President, etc. NAME: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________________________ CITY: ___________________________________ STATE:_____________ ZIP+4: _________________LOCAL CLUB:_____________________ PHONE: __________________________________E-MAIL: ______________________________________________________________________ REGISTRATION MEMBER
$30 X ___________= ___________________
MEMBER FAMILY (must have paid 2011 dues as a family)
$40 X ___________= ___________________
NON-MEMBER
$35 X ___________= ___________________
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION (Prior to October 21) MEMBER
$25 X ___________ = __________________
MEMBER FAMILY (must have paid 2011 dues as a family)
$35.00___________ = __________________
NON-MEMBER
$30 X ____________=___________________
WINE TASTING SOCIAL - Thursday PAID REGISTRANT
Free X ____________= Free
NOT A PAID REGISTRANT
$5.00 X _______ = ______________
FRIDAY LUNCH Baked Potato, Salad, Cookie & Brownie Bar
$14.00 X _________ = __________________
Children
$ 7.00 X __________ = _________________
FRIDAY NIGHT QUEEN BANQUET Roasted Pork Loin Buffet
$23.00 X ___________ = ________________
Children
$11.50 X __________ = ________________
SATURDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET
$10.75 X___________= ________________
Children
$5.00 X___________= _________________
SATURDAY LUNCH Country Club Cookout Buffet – Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
$16.50 X __________ = _________________
Children
$ 8.25 X ___________= ________________
MSBA – 2012 MEMBERSHIP Individual
Renewal
New
$15.00
____________________
Family
Renewal
New
$20.00
____________________
Queen Fund Donation Meeting Fund Donation
_ __________________ __ __ _______________ TOTAL:
______________________
Please make checks payable to: Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Send to: Cathy Hogan, PO Box 281, Boss, MO 65440-0281, 573-626-4493. If you pre-register and then cannot attend, your registration fee will be considered a donation and no refund will be made. If you pay for meals and we are able to sell them, you will be refunded for those. Please note – no receipts will be sent. Checks will be deposited after the meeting.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall Meeting preview:
Lake of the Ozarks, October 28 & 29, 2011 (with special events October 27) Why is it good to attend the semi-annual MSBA meetings? People at our meetings are going to be interested in beekeeping and our environment. You can make invaluable connections with such soulmates, and friendships which can last for decades. We used to call this “making the connection”. We now tend to call it “networking”. Either way, it is heartening to know that others are interested in the same things you are, so take the time to meet new people and enlarge your circle of beekeeping connections. We will gather at www.countryclubhotel.com Lake Ozark and our host hotel will be the Country Club Hotel & Spa, 301 Carol Road, Lake Ozark MO 65049, 800-9646698. We have negotiated some very good rates; to receive this discount, you must make your reservation by October 6, and identify yourself as a Missouri Beekeeper. Deluxe Guest Room - $84 + tax Jr. Suite - $84 + tax Two Bedroom (two baths) Condominium Villa - $140 + tax Three Bedroom (two baths) 1560 sq. ft. Condominium Villa -$150 + tax Our special guest speakers are: Dr. Marla Spivak, Distinguished McKnight Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota. Marla Spivak Marla’s interest in bees began when she worked for a commercial beekeeper from New Mexico in 1975. She later completed her B.A. in Biology from Humboldt State University in northern California, and her PhD from the University of Kansas, under Dr. Orley “Chip” Taylor, in 1989. She spent two years in Costa Rica conducting her thesis research on the identification and ecology of Africanized and European honey bees. From 1989-1992 she did postdoctoral research at the Center for Insect Science at the University of Arizona. She began as Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota in 1993. Influenced by Martha Gilliam and Steve Taber from the USDA Bee lab in Tucson, she became interested in hygienic behavior of honey bees. This interest has expanded into studies of “social immunity”, including the benefits of propolis to the immune system of honey bees. Ed Levi. Having started keeping bees in France in the early 1970’s, Ed is now the State Bee Inspector for Arkansas, and has been Secretary of the Apiary Inspectors of America for many years. He is a Master Beekeeper, certified through the EAS program. Ed keeps bees, produces honey and raises queens. He is a highly sought-after speaker, having traveled the world conducting beekeeping extension initiatives in third world countries. He is knowledgeable about beekeeping and promotes the use of IPM methods and minimizing the use of chemicals. Ed also does a lot of consulting in developing countries throughout Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. C. Marina Marchese is founder and owner of Red Bee Honey; she sells honey and natural products to gourmet food shops and fine restaurants all over the United States. Certified by the American Apitherapy Society, she has trained as a honey judge at the University of Georgia and serves on the board of Back Yard Beekeepers Association of Connecticut. Marina has written for Bee Culture magazine and the Journal of the American Apitherapy Society, and Red Bee Honey was the cover story of the American Bee Journal in 2004. Marina lives and tends bees in Weston, Connecticut. Book signing. Ed Levi
Michael Arduser, Natural History Biologist, Missouri Department of Conservation.
C. Marina Marchese
August 2011
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Fall Meeting preview (continued) Bob Finck – Making Mead • Started beekeeping in 1980, currently maintains around 125 hives • Markets honey and beeswax, numerous State Fair Blue Ribbon awards for honey and wax last 25 years • Spent 42 years working as a Food Chemist for Allen Foods (25), Arcobasso Foods (6) and Pevely Dairy (11). Retired May, 2010, can now enjoy beekeeping at its fullest “every day”, twenty-four-seven. Enjoys mentoring new beekeepers and “talking bees and honey” • Started making mead 2000 • Served two 5 year terms as president of Eastern MO Beekeepers Assn., and served in other board positions most of his 30 year membership. Steve Moeller – Managing Bees in Single Brood Chambers; Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer - He began keeping bees in 1974 while living near Odessa. Shortly thereafter Steve joined the MSBA and in 1983 became a member of the Midwestern Beekeepers in the KC area where he is still a member. Today he lives just outside Columbia, is a member of the Boone Regional Beekeepers and is currently serving as secretary of the MSBA. Art & Vera Gelder – Lunch and Tour of Their Bee Operation and AgriTourism Farm in Columbia. Bob Finck
Fred Meder - How to Build a Better Mouse Trap (Catching Swarms) - Fred is a 48 year old beekeeper from Troy, MO., was born in St. Louis, MO, but grew up in Farmington, MO until he moved to Arizona. He joined the U.S. Army and served for 12 years on Active Duty. In 1999 he was placed on Medical Retirement. Fred moved to Troy, MO in 2004. With the help and supervision of Ian Brown, Fred began beekeeping in 2009 with one hive of Russian Bees. Fred now has around 65 hives. He has bees in Troy, Elsberry, and Montgomery City, Missouri. His favorite season is “Swarm Season”.
Art and Vera Gelder discuss farmers’ markets at the 2011 Spring Meeting
Competitions: Cooking (white yeast bread, candy [no fudge], chili, popcorn); Needle work; Soap
Special events: Thursday – Tour & Lunch at Walk About Acres, wine social with 7C’s wine, movie “The Secret Life of Bees” Friday – spouses card party, cooking contest, needlework contest, soap contest, chair massages, Honey Queen Reception Saturday – ladies shopping
UPCOMING STATE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Our next few semi-annual meetings are in the final planning stages, here are some updates: March 9 & 10, 2012 with special activities on March 8, Marriott. West St. Louis. Special speakers: Dr. Greg J. Hunt (Indiana), Dr. May Berenbaum (Illinois) and Jerry Hayes (Florida). Contests to be held: Cooking with Honey, bread (machine), brownies/blondes, jam/jelly, cheesecake, mead, and Beeswax Art. October 26 & 27, 2012 Special speakers, David Burns (Illinois)
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Missouri State Beekeepers Fall 2011 Meeting Agenda (Subject to Change) Thursday, October 27 12:00 PM
4:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 9:30 PM
Lunch ($15) and tour of their bee operation and Agri-Tourism Farm in Columbia. Make reservations and payment directly to Art & Vera Gelder, Walk About Acres, 6800 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia, MO 65200-7652 Free Wine Tasting Social Board Meeting Movie w/Queen Latifah - The Secret Life of Bees Directors, Meetings with Beekeepers
Friday, October 28 7:00AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:20 AM 12:15 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM
Breakfast Buffet – ticket required Vendors open Welcome - Grant Gillard What’s in Your Wax? - Ed Levi Scales, Weights, Measures, Labeling – MO Depart of Agriculture Native Pollinators – Michael Arduser – MO Dept. of Conservation Lunch – ticket required Concepts of Integrated Pest Management - Ed Levi Spouses’ Card Party 2:50 PM My Journey – C. Marina Marchese 3:40 PM Book Signing -- C. Marina Marchese – Honeybee Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper Q&A –Ed Levi 4:10 PM Bees and Bears in Missouri 5:20 PM Directors’ Meeting with beekeepers 6:30 PM Honey Queen Banquet – ticket required – Ed Levi 9:00 PM Directors’ Meetings with beekeepers Honey Queen Reception Saturday, October 29 6:45 AM 7:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:15 AM 8:30 AM 8:40 AM 9:30 AM 1:15 AM 12:00 PM
Breakfast – ticket required Directors Meeting With Beekeepers Q & A and Book Signing – C. Marina Marchese Welcome – Grant Gillard Patriotic Presentation – Honey Queen Honey Queen Report – Joyce Justice Bee Health – Marla Spivak, PhD Preparing Honey for Competition – D. Marina Marchese Q & A - Ed Levi Socialized Medicine in Honey Bee Colonies – Marla Spivak Lunch – ticket required
continued next page
August 2011
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Missouri State Beekeepers Fall 2011 Meeting Agenda (continued from previous page) 1:00 PM
1:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 4:45 PM
Breakout Sessions Managing Bees in Single Brood Chambers – Steve Moeller Mead Making – Bob Finck How to Have Your Book Printed - C. Marina Marchese Q & A - Marla Spivak How to Build a Better Mouse Trap (Catching Swarms) – Fred Meder Bus Trip - Ladies’ Shopping at Bagnell Dam Historic Area TBA TBA Business Meeting
Proposed to the membership: MSBA By-Laws updates and corrections by Scott Moser At the fall 2011 Executive Board meeting, it was decided that a committee would be formed to review, update, and correct the Missouri State Beekeepers Association by-laws. It had been several years since any review of the by-laws had been done, and it was long overdue. Below is a listing of the changes and updates that were made and will be voted on by the general membership at the fall 2011 meeting. The proposed changes are underlined, italicized, and bold. To review a complete copy of the updated by-laws, visit the MSBA website. Article 3 Basic Policies: D. Upon dissolution of this organization, after paying or adequately providing for debts and obligations of the Association, the remainder of the assets shall be placed in a trust fund at the University of Missouri-Columbia, or other educational institution dedicated to research in apiculture. L. The bylaws of this Association may only be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at a regular meeting of the Association, provided members present are not less than thirty (30). Announcement of this meeting and the proposed change must be published in the Association newsletter or other suitable medium (ie. internet) thirty (30) days prior to the meeting date. Article 4 Officers and Elections: Section 2: The officers of this Association shall consist of a President, Vice President, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Chairperson, Editor, and five (5) directors. These offices shall make up the Executive committee of this Association. Section 5: Tenure A. All officers, except President, Vice President, and Past President shall serve a term of at least one (1) year. B. The President, Vice President, and Past President shall serve a term of two (2) years. C. The state shall be divided into five (5) sections, northeast, northwest, and south east, south west, and central. Each Director shall be an advisor to their section of the State reporting to the Past President/Director any pertinent issues of concern.
D. The Past President shall serve as coordinator of the directors and shall serve for two (2) years. Each local Association may elect, from their membership, one (1) representative to the State Association each year to serve at the pleasure of the President, and be present at all board meetings to represent their local association. Section 6: Vacancies A. In the case of the President, the Vice President of this association shall fill the vacant office of the Presidency until the Nominating Committee can offer a candidate to the general membership for election. This individual will serve the unexpired term. Article 5 Duties: Section 5 Treasurer: E. Keep a record of the members and their addresses; Section 7: Directors C. Report to the past President and be assigned to a region of the state by the direction of the Past President. Article 6 Executive Board: Section 1: The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, Program Chairperson, Auxiliary Representative, Fair Chairperson, Queen Chairperson, and Directors. A. Each local Association may elect, from their membership, one (1) representative to the State Association each year to be present at all board meetings to represent their local association and serve at the pleasure of the President. Section 2: The Past President shall supervise the directors with a two (2) year term of office. Article 10 By-Law Review The by-laws of this Association shall be reviewed/revised every five (5) years beginning in the year 2015, by a group of board and general members in good standing with the Association.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Joplin Area Beekeepers Association pulls together after storm devastation by Dave Kayser On Tuesday, July 26th, I had the honor of attending the monthly meeting of the Joplin Beekeepers. I was not sure what to expect after one of the biggest tornados on record had plowed through the area. What I found was a group of committed beekeepers getting their stock back together, assessing what they needed to do, and moving forward. The attitude of the club was very positive and everyone seemed to be in good spirits, in spite of the fact that some of the members had lost everything. The loss this club has faced is beyond what most of us can imagine. Yet they still come out in big numbers to the meetings and are still very committed. This is going to be a lost year for most in the club from the perspective of beekeeping, not to mention the personal devastation. Only one member is going to have a honey crop. Even for the hives that were not in the path of the tornado, honey production is so small that it wasn’t worth taking. Another issue was with all the contaminants (household products, transformer PCBs, etc.) that were released in the area and have probably tainted the honey. The general consensus was that the honey was not going to be fit for human consumption. The club’s plan for now is get the bees that are left through until next year. At the meeting there were recommendations on feeding plans to help get the hives enough food to get them through the hot months of July and August. Then next spring they will do an assessment of where to go. During our last executive board meeting, the Missouri State
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From the Queen Chair by Joyce Justice Our Missouri State Honey Queen has been busy. She will be at the Ozark Fair, Missouri State Fair and 7-C’s Winery in August. To date, we do not have anyone interested in being the Missouri State Honey Queen for 2012. Please help, look in your 4-H Clubs, Agriculture Classes and your local bee clubs. Just a reminder to bring items for the silent auction table to the fall meeting. We will need money to support our queen, Lillian, if she decides to go for the Federation Queen. No prejudice, but we feel she can win! I plan to retire as the Queen Chairperson after our fall meeting. I will be happy to help anyone assuming the Chairperson. We have new guidelines and I have learned some things as I have gone along that may be helpful and I am willing to share. Joyce
Beekeepers Association voted to donate $500.00 to the Joplin beekeepers to do with as they see fit. After talking to the President of the Joplin Beekeepers, Dale Foley, they are still in the process of assessing the needs of the club and members. Even two months after the tornado hit, it’s extremely overwhelming the amount of work that will be involved just to get people’s lives to point where they can start to rebuild (not even close to normal). Please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers. If anyone is interested in helping out, I suggest that you contact Dale Foley at 417-850-0285 and see where the biggest need is. These needs will change as they move forward, but the one thing I’m sure of is the club is very strong and will get through this.
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Fair-weather friends: Dean Sanders yuks it up with Harold the mannequin, an annual fixture at our State Fair booth. This year, after stopping along the highway to check his load of fair supplies, Dean was approached by an FBI agent about the “body” in the back of his truck! In the honey judging, Eastern took home the Club Grand Champion prize, while Jim Fisher of Midwestern won the title of Individual Grand Champion. Full results will appear in our October issue. photo by Cathy Misko
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August 2011
Page 13
Local Beekeepers Associations 1 Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
2 Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 3:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia President Jim Duever 573-254-3373 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
3 Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
4 Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
5 Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
6 Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
7 Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
8 Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
9 Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
10 Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 2nd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Andy Nowachek, President 913-438-5397
11 Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Bernie Andrew 217-938-4975
12 Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Location varies, call contact number below if unsure Contact Stephany Sullivan 636-584-9817 sasullivan55@yahoo.com
13 Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of month, 7pm, Ozark Federal Savings & Loan President Bob Brenneke 573-518-1997 or 573-631-2782
14 Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
15 SEMO Honey Producers
2nd Thursday of month, Poplar Bluff Extension Office Contact Ernie Wells 573-429-0222 wells.ernie@gmail.com
16 South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
17 Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”)
3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. United Methodist Church, Hwy 37 NW of Monett Leon Riggs, President 417-235-5053
18 Southwest Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Glenn W. Smith 417-548-2255
19 Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
20 Northwest Missouri Bee Busters
1st Monday of odd months, 7:00 p.m. 511 4th Street, Conception Junction, MO 64434 Gerald Auffert, President 660-944-2535
21 Lake of the Ozarks Beekeepers
3rd Saturday of month, 1:00 p.m. UMC Extension Office, 100 E. Newton,Versailles MO Contact Russell Kasnick 573-372-3122
Can’t find a local near you? Contact our President or Vice President for assistance starting a new one!
Page 14
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
August 2011 Honey Queen report by Lillian-Grace Misko Greetings all, Summer is a unique time for students, families, and individuals in general. I try to use each summer in a special way. This summer has been quite unique indeed; it has proven to be an exciting adventure! Not only have I been traveling throughout Missouri, but I have been to Tennessee (working as a dance instructor and choreographer for an arts camp) and the United Kingdom and Europe for a missions trip. These past few months I have promoted honey bees, honey and beekeeping to thousands of people. To give you a hint, I attended six events in eight days. Early June, I provided a 45-minute, four-course dinner cooking demonstration, and presented a PowerPoint class for children at the Kansas “Fun Day”. I really did have fun—I also held a hand full of bees! It was quite interesting. At first, holding bees seemed intimidating. But when I realized how the temperament of a swarm is usually quite calm, it was not frightening at all. Once I had a hand full of bees, the children wanted some too!!! Not one person got stung. I did receive a bee sting that next week though. My mother and I received a call from Warrensburg Economy Lumber about a swarm that was underneath a deck on the side of their building. My mother and I gathered the supplies and headed out. Once I got there, it was time for some action! It was quite humorous how the workers all gathered to watch at the beginning, but seemed to have disappeared by the next time I looked back to see their reaction to the “fallen” bees that I swiped into the box. It was not an easy swarm. I had to “knock” them down about five times for them to stay in the box and before I spotted the queen. All of you beekeepers would be proud, I did it all without any “protective” bee equipment except for my crown and sash! Now you are probably wondering about that one sting . . . I only received that one sting because a bee got caught underneath my shirt on the back of my arm. The very next day after the Kansas Fun Day, I traveled to the Wentzville Renaissance Festival near St. Louis to be the promoter at Pam Brown’s “The Beekeepers Daughter” booth. I also had the privilege of appearing the very next week at Powell Gardens again like last year. Many thanks to Hal Reidler for providing his beautiful homemade oak observation hive. I would like to encourage those around downtown Kansas City to take an adventure of their own. To my surprise, I came across and was able to attend the grand opening of a specially designed bee “Haven” sculpted by Jarrett Mellenbruch. This special “Haven” is located in a new garden on the corner of 18th and Broadway; it has been specially designed so bees could live in the midst of a city location. Summer is a magnificent time! I hope you have had as much of a blessed summer as I have. The Queen program has been an amazing educational, eye-opening, and fun-filled program! Please encourage others to contact Joyce Justice for more information on registering so that another young lady can experience the joys of “The Missouri State Honey Queen”! Hope to see you at 7C’s Meadfest, the Springfield Empire State Fair, or the Missouri State Fair.
Page 15
Directory of Officers President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson MO 63755 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: John Timmons 636-940-8202 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles MO 63303 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Steve Moeller 573-886-0662 7035 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia MO 65202 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com Southern Director: Dave Kayser 417-767-2435 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 314-805-6451 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-703-7650 17 Great Lakes Dr., St. Peters MO 63376 editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia MO 65211
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
A fistful of ... bees? Just look how much fun our Honey Queen is having! Lillian-Grace Misko has enjoyed a busy summer both learning and teaching about honeybees and beekeeping. She writes about this and other experiences on page 15. Lillian will certainly be a hard act to follow, but the sad fact is that her term is ending at the Fall Meeting in October. If you know a young lady who might be interested in taking her place, get in touch with Queen Chairperson Joyce Justice, whose contact information also appears on page 15. photo by Cathy Misko
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter” in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
Business card size Quarter page
$15.00 $35.00
Half page Full page
$50.00 $100.00
Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
October 2011 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Sharing the harvest: A honeybee near Montgomery City takes advantage of the generous September nectar flow from yellow ironweed (Verbesina alternifolia), seemingly oblivious to the cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) just a few florets away. This cute little beetle can easily be mistaken for a variety of ladybug, but is in reality a voracious pest, spied just as often munching the leaves of cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, beans and other crops. Its larva, known as the Southern corn rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi), destroys young corn plants by tunneling through their root systems. photo by Eugene Makovec
Join us at the Lake of the Ozarks! Register now for Fall Meeting October 28-29 Our annual Fall Meeting takes place this year at the Country Club Hotel & Spa, 301 Carol Road, Lake Ozark MO 65049, 800-964-6698. We negotiated some very good rates; our block of rooms was guaranteed through October 6, but call and identify yourself as a Missouri Beekeeper to check availability. Deluxe Guest Room - $84 + tax Jr. Suite - $84 + tax Two Bedroom (two baths) Condo Villa - $140 + tax Three Bedroom (two baths) 1560 sq. ft. Condominium Villa -$150 + tax Please see page 11 to register, and pages 6-9 for complete information and the meeting agenda.
From the President ............. 2 State Fair report ............. 2
Thanks to all our volunteers! State Fair winners ............ 4 White House beer ............. 5
Fall Meeting low-down ..... 6 Upcoming state meetings .. 7 Fall Meeting agenda ....... 8
Support our vendors! ..... 9
Order ahead to save shipping
From the Queen Chair ..... 9 Fall Meeting registration 11 Local associations ............ 13 Membership application .. 14 Honey Queen report ....... 15 Directory of officers .......... 15
Page 2
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President
bee meeting. I was inspired with new ideas on marketing honey. Everyone by Grant Gillard I bumped into was a walking seminar, I confess I’m a conference junkie. I love going to conferences and many times our classroom was the and conventions. I recently attended the Heartland Apiculture sidewalk between the main building Society’s conference in Vincennes, Indiana and on the drive back I and the dormitory. The opportunity to learn something new, or re-learn got to thinking about why I had such a good time. First and foremost, conferences give me a break to get away. Yeah, something old, is everywhere. it means eating strange food and sleeping in a strange bed. But the But I also like conferences for the people. value of getting away from the constant, and often times, incessant It doesn’t matter what conference I’ve demands of my job is grossly underrated. We all need a change of attended or what the context has been, pace, which for me, reorients my brain to think differently. That’s I’m at a place with like-minded individuals who collectively share probably why I find vacations to be creative and stimulating … the common interests that bind us together. I remember I’m part and my wife is always on my case for bringing my work along on of a larger community. It’s like a family reunion replete with those vacation. But that change of scenery helps me to think outside the crazy uncles retelling the same old joke and overly affectionate box, probably because I’m literally outside the box. I see things aunts who think you’re one of the other cousins. differently from a distance. It’s good to get away. We have a wonderful occasion coming up to get away and Second, and the legitimate reason I like conferences, is the reconnect with other beekeepers at the end of October at education. The opportunity to learn is everywhere. At the HAS I the Lake of the Ozarks. The Fall Meeting is scheduled for the had some wonderfully insightful conversations with the vendors 28th and 29th with special events on the 27th. We’ll have many -- and not just about their products and what they were selling, opportunities to learn and socialize and gain new insights into but also about beekeeping, their philosophy on life, their take how we manage our bees. It will be a time to renew friendships on religion and politics, even some juicy gossip about which I and listen to each other’s “war stories” from this summer. It will be like a family reunion. I only hope people don’t think I’m the pretended to know who they were talking about. crazy uncle, but please correct me if I mistake you for one of the The seminars were excellent, of course, but some of my best other cousins. learning comes from conversations in the hallways and over dinner. All the best. See you at the Lake of the Ozarks. David Burns gave me a couple of brilliant tips for my queen rearing. An older gentleman enlightened me on the benefits of garlic. I Grant gathered some new considerations on how to run our monthly
2011 Missouri State Fair report by Dean Sanders This year’s fair was not as successful as we had hoped. A lot had to do with the weather. It was either very hot or rainy with storms. The storm that hit Sedalia on Thursday night did a lot of damage including power outages which closed the fair grounds until 3 pm the next day. Of course all of this affected our sales. Financially the end result has not been determined, but will be announced at the fall meeting this month. We did have a lot of inquiries about where to buy local honey and gave out our map of the clubs in the state. This seemed to be very helpful to these folks. The booth was redesigned to use our space more efficiently since half of our space is supposed to be used for educational purposes. As a result we also had more people looking at our honey competition display. The winners are acknowledged elsewhere in this newsletter. Based on the sign-up sheets, listed below are the faithful volunteers who made it possible to operate our booth. I apologize if I’ve missed anyone. Those who volunteered one day were: Don Bernskoetter, Lawanda Branson, Kathy Buckley, Larry Buckley, Mary Campbell, Roni Carpenter, Glenn Davis, Jim Duever, Valerie Duever, Lynn Fahrmeier, Samuel Fahrmeier, Dave Faust, Laura Faust, Jean Fisher, Pat Fletcher, Pete Fletcher, Vera Gelder, Domenic Giofre,
Mrs.Giofre, Mike Godfrey, Ken Heitkamp, Rhea Helmreich, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Joyce Justice, Brian Murphy, Kathy Murphy, Tom Parker, Tom Patterson, Rod Richter, Sue Schoening, Irish Spring, Jack Thieme and Yvonne Von Der Ahe. Others who volunteered two days were: Tony Axtin, Ralph Dickinson, Ed Fisher, Jim Fisher, Tanya Fisher, Art Gelder, Bob Justice, Steve Moeller and Tom O’Neill. Three-day volunteers were Tim Hyde and Cathy Misko. Lillian Misko, our Honey Queen, was there for four days, and Deena Beebe for six. Tenday volunteers were Ron and Dolores Vivian. Deena, Ron and Dolores also helped set up the booth before the fair started. Steve Harris and I were there thirteen days as managers. So to recap, here is the local club representation (with days volunteering): Boone Regional (16), Eastern (7), Golden Valley (4), Mid-Missouri (2), Midwestern (68) and Three Rivers (15). I do appreciate each one of you who spent time and worked in the booth. Our booth would not exist if it weren’t for all of you helping make it possible. Thanks also goes to the Oak Grove QuikTrip store for the sacks they donated to put Honey Sticks in. And of course our vendors provided wonderful products again this year. Thank you! I also want to thank all the people who stayed and helped tear the booth down on the last day.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Page 4
MISSOURI STATE FAIR 2011 Apiculture Judging Contest Results INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES Candied Honey
Cut Comb
Section Comb Light/Amber Extracted
Dark Extracted
Light Bulk Comb Yellow Beeswax Cake
Art Designs in Beeswax Beeswax Candles Sealed Honey, Shallow Frame
Sealed Honey, Brood Frame
Observation Hive
st
1 Place nd 2 Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place 1st Place 2nd Place rd 3 Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place 5th Place th 6 Place 7th Place th 8 Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place 3rd Place th 4 Place th 5 Place th 6 Place 1st Place nd 2 Place 1st Place nd 2 Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place 1st Place nd 2 Place 1st Place 2nd Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place
INDIVIDUAL GRAND CHAMPION
Jim Fisher Tim Hyde Ron Vivian Yvonne von der Ahe Jim Fisher Michael Godfrey Tim Hyde Jim Fisher Fred Meder Ted Jansen Jim Fisher Samuel Fahrmeier Bob Finck Michael Godfrey Laurie Miller MRH Middle School Paul Lammert Jim Fisher Ted Jansen Ken Heitkamp Jackie Marcoux Jeanette Beishir Tim Hyde Tim Hyde Jim Fisher Jim Fisher Bob Finck Ken Heitkamp Deena Beebe Jim Fisher Yvonne von der Ahe Jim Fisher Yvonne von der Ahe Jim Fisher Ken Heitkamp Michael Godfrey Tim Hyde Deena Beebe MRH Middle School Tim Hyde Jim Fisher Steve Moeller Tim Hyde Dean Sanders Ron Vivian
Raymore Wildwood Bates City Washington Raymore Valley Park Wildwood Raymore Troy Chesterfield Raymore Wellington Fenton Valley Park St. Louis Maplewood Chesterfield Raymore Chesterfield St. Louis Creve Coeur Farmington Wildwood Wildwood Raymore Raymore Fenton St. Louis Independence Raymore Washington Raymore Washington Raymore St. Louis Valley Park Wildwood Independence Maplewood Wildwood Raymore Columbia Wildwood Oak Grove Bates City
Jim Fisher
Raymore
October 2011
Page 5
MISSOURI STATE FAIR 2011 Apiculture Judging Contest Results (continued) LOCAL ASSOCIATION ENTRIES Cut Comb Honey Section Comb Honey Light Bulk Comb Honey Light/Amber Extracted
Dark Extracted
Yellow Beeswax
1st Place st 1 Place st 1 Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place th 5 Place th 6 Place 7th Place 8th Place st 1 Place 2nd Place rd 3 Place 4th Place th 5 Place 6th Place st 1 Place 2nd Place rd 3 Place
CLUB GRAND CHAMPION
Midwestern Midwestern Midwestern Three Rivers Boone Regional Midwestern Three Rivers Three Rivers Eastern Eastern Eastern Midwestern Three Rivers Eastern Eastern Three Rivers Eastern Midwestern Eastern Eastern
Jim Fisher Jim Fisher Jim Fisher Ted Jansen (no name listed) Jim Fisher Michael Godfrey Paul Lammert Yvonne Von Der Ahe Ken Heitkamp Bob Finck Jim Fisher Ted Jansen Michael Godfrey Jackie Marcoux Michael Godfrey Tim Hyde Jim Fisher Bob Finck Yvonne Von Der Ahe
Eastern MO Beekeepers
Brewin’ with Barack by Eugene Makovec As it turns out, Barack Obama and do I have some things in common. A few years ago I decided I could not live without the goodness of home-grown honey. So I got some bees and made my own. Last year, when the new Prez moved into the White House, one of the first things he and Michelle did was plunk down a hive of bees on the lawn. (Evidently their neighbors are a bit more open-minded than mine about stinging insects.) Since one of my other favorite things is beer, it occurred to me this past summer that it would be nice to make that for myself too. So I combined these two favorite things into a tasty honey wheat ale. Then last month, to my great surprise, I heard on National Public Radio that none other than POTUS is serving homemade honey wheat ale to his house guests! And he’s been doing so since early this year, rolling out the first batch at his Super Bowl party in February. (I should have known of this sooner, but I was not invited to said party, probably because that Bears fan did not want this Packers fan whooping it up with every Green Bay score.) To the Obamas’ credit, they paid for their brewing supplies themselves, though reportedly it is the White House kitchen staff doing the actual brewing. I guess that last part is understandable given the demands of his job, though if I had unlimited staff at my beck and call, I’d do the brewing myself and let the help handle more mundane tasks, like tinkering with the economy and bombing two-bit dictators. Two weeks ago I started my second brew. It’s the same basic recipe as before, but this time I’m adding blueberries. Shhhh, don’t tell the President!
Page 6
Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall Meeting preview:
Lake of the Ozarks, October 28 & 29, 2011 (with special events October 27) Why is it good to attend the semi-annual MSBA meetings? People at our meetings are going to be interested in beekeeping and our environment. You can make invaluable connections with such soulmates, and friendships which can last for decades. We used to call this “making the connection”. We now tend to call it “networking”. Either way, it is heartening to know that others are interested in the same things you are, so take the time to meet new people and enlarge your circle of beekeeping connections. Our special guest www.countryclubhotel.com speakers are: Dr. Marla Spivak, Distinguished McKnight Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota. Marla’s interest in bees began when she worked for a commercial beekeeper from New Mexico in 1975. She later completed her B.A. in Biology from Humboldt State University in northern California, and her PhD from the University of Kansas, under Dr. Orley “Chip” Taylor, in 1989. She spent two years in Costa Rica conducting her thesis research on the identification and ecology of Africanized and European honey bees. From 19891992 she did postdoctoral research at the Center for Insect Science at the University of Arizona. She began as Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota in 1993. Influenced by Martha Gilliam Marla Spivak and Steve Taber from the USDA Bee lab in Tucson, she became interested in hygienic behavior of honey bees. This interest has expanded into studies of “social immunity”, including the benefits of propolis to the immune system of honey bees.
Ed Levi. Having started keeping bees in France in the early 1970’s, Ed is now the State Bee Inspector for Arkansas, and has been Secretary of the Apiary Inspectors of America for many years. He is a Master Beekeeper, certified through the EAS program. Ed keeps bees, produces honey and raises queens. He is a highly sought-after speaker, having traveled the world conducting beekeeping extension initiatives in third world countries. He is knowledgeable about beekeeping and promotes the use of IPM methods and minimizing the use of chemicals. Ed also does a lot of consulting in developing countries throughout Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa. C. Marina Marchese is founder and owner of Red Bee Honey; she sells honey and natural products to gourmet food shops and fine restaurants all over the United States. Certified by the American Apitherapy Society, she has trained as a honey judge at the University of Georgia and serves on the board of Back Yard Beekeepers Association Ed Levi of Connecticut. Marina has written for Bee Culture magazine and the Journal of the American Apitherapy Society, and Red Bee Honey was the cover story of the American Bee Journal in 2004. Marina lives and tends bees in Weston, Connecticut. Book signing. Michael Arduser, Natural History Biologist, Missouri Department of Conservation. C. Marina Marchese
October 2011
Page 7
Fall Meeting preview (continued) Bob Finck – Making Mead • Started beekeeping in 1980, currently maintains around 125 hives • Markets honey and beeswax, numerous State Fair Blue Ribbon awards for honey and wax last 25 years • Spent 42 years working as a Food Chemist for Allen Foods (25), Arcobasso Foods (6) and Pevely Dairy (11). Retired May, 2010, can now enjoy beekeeping at its fullest “every day”, twenty-four-seven. Enjoys mentoring new beekeepers and “talking bees and honey” • Started making mead 2000 • Served two 5 year terms as president of Eastern MO Beekeepers Assn., and served in other board positions most of his 30 year membership. Steve Moeller – Managing Bees in Single Brood Chambers; Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer - He began keeping bees in 1974 while living near Odessa. Shortly thereafter Steve joined the MSBA and in 1983 became a member of the Midwestern Beekeepers in the KC area where he is still a member. Today he lives just outside Columbia, is a member of the Boone Regional Beekeepers and is currently serving as secretary of the MSBA. Art & Vera Gelder – Lunch and Tour of Their Bee Operation and Agri-Tourism Farm in Columbia. Fred Meder - How to Build a Better Mouse Trap (Catching Swarms) - Fred is a 48 year old beekeeper from Troy, MO., was born in St. Louis, MO, but grew up in Farmington, MO until he moved to Arizona. He joined the U.S. Army and served for 12 years on Active Duty. In 1999 he was placed on Medical Retirement. Fred moved to Troy, MO in 2004. With the help and supervision of Ian Brown, Fred began beekeeping in 2009 with one hive of Russian Bees. Fred now has around 65 hives. He has bees in Troy, Elsberry, and Montgomery City, Missouri. His favorite season is “Swarm Season”.
Competitions: Cooking (white yeast bread, candy [no fudge], chili, popcorn) Needle work Soap
Special events: Thursday – Tour & Lunch at Walk About Acres, wine social with 7C’s wine, movie “The Secret Life of Bees” Friday – Spouses’ card party, cooking contest, needlework contest, soap contest, chair massages, Honey Queen Reception Saturday – Ladies’ shopping
UPCOMING STATE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Our next few semi-annual meetings are in the final planning stages, here are some updates: March 9 & 10, 2012 with special activities on March 8, Marriott. West St. Louis. Special speakers: Dr. Greg J. Hunt (Indiana), Dr. May Berenbaum (Illinois) and Jerry Hayes (Florida). Contests to be held: Cooking with Honey, bread (machine), brownies/blondes, jam/ jelly, cheesecake, mead, and Beeswax Art. October 26 & 27, 2012 Special speakers, David Burns (Illinois)
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Missouri State Beekeepers Fall 2011 Meeting Agenda (subject to change) Thursday, October 27 12:00 PM
4:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:35 PM
Lunch ($15) and tour of their bee operation and Agri-Tourism Farm in Columbia. Make reservations and payment directly to Art & Vera Gelder, Walk About Acres, 6800 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia, MO 65200-7652, walkaboutacres@hughes.net Free Wine Tasting Social Board Meeting Movie w/Queen Latifah - The Secret Life of Bees Eastern Director’s Meeting With Eastern Area Beekeepers
Friday, October 28 7:00 AM 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:20 AM 12:00 PM 1:10 PM 2:00 PM
Breakfast Buffet – ticket required Western Director’s Meeting with Western Area Beekeepers Vendors open Set-up for Cooking, Needlework and Soap Competition Welcome - Grant Gillard What’s in Your Wax? - Ed Levi Scales, Weights, Measures, Labeling – MO Depart of Agriculture Lunch - ticket required Native Pollinators – Michael Arduser – MO Dept. of Conservation Concepts of Integrated Pest Management - Ed Levi Spouses’ Card Party 3:00 PM My Journey – C. Marina Marchese 4:00 PM Book Signing -- C. Marina Marchese – Honeybee Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper Q&A –Ed Levi 4:10 PM Bees and Bears in Missouri 5:20 PM Southwest Director’s Meeting with Southwest Area Beekeepers 6:30 PM Honey Queen Banquet – ticket required – Ed Levi 9:00 PM Southeast Director’s Meeting with Southeast Area Beekeepers Honey Queen Reception Saturday, October 29 6:45 AM 7:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:15 AM 8:40 AM 9:45 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM
Breakfast – ticket required Q & A and Book Signing – C. Marina Marchese Welcome – Grant Gillard Patriotic Presentation – Honey Queen Socialized Medicine in Honey Bee Colonies – Marla Spivak, PhD Concepts of Integrated Pest Management - Ed Levi Bee Health – Marla Spivak Lunch – ticket required
continued next page
October 2011
Page 9
Missouri State Beekeepers Fall 2011 Meeting Agenda (continued from previous page) 1:00 PM
Breakout Sessions Managing Bees in Single Brood Chambers – Steve Moeller Mead Making – Bob Finck How to Have Your Book Printed - C. Marina Marchese How to Build a Better Mouse Trap (Catching Swarms) – Fred Meder
1:00 PM
Bus Trip - Ladies’ Shopping at Bagnell Dam Historic Area
4:45 PM
Business Meeting
From the Queen Chair by Joyce Justice Lillian is doing a wonderful job of promoting honey and the beekeepers of Missouri. We are proud to have her as our Missouri Honey Queen. Now the problem is, we do not have a candidate for the coming year. We gave out applications at the state fair and I have followed up on some names I had that could be a possibility. So far, no one has come up with an application or expressed interest. If a beekeeper knows of anyone who would be interested, please let me know and I will follow up quickly. Joyce
Support our meeting vendors and advertisers The following vendors have confirmed plans to attend our upcoming Fall Meeting. You can save on shipping costs by placing orders ahead of time to be picked up during the meeting. Isabee’s (Authorized Walter T. Kelley dealer) All beekeeping supplies 314-894-8737 Jane Sueme info@isabees.com 7Cs Winery* Wines and meads (State law prohibits on-site booth; must pre-purchase for pick-up at meeting.) 417-788-2263 www.7cswinery.com dwight@7cswinery.com Dwight Crevelt
Femme Osage Apiary* Handcrafted woodenware & bee supplies 636-398-5014 femmeosage1@aol.com Ian and Pam Brown Walkabout Acres* All beekeeping supplies 573-474-8837 FAX 573-474-5830 walkaboutacres@agristar.net Vera and Art Gelder Dadant* All beekeeping supplies 888-922-1293 www.dadant.com *See ad in this issue
Page 10
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY
WEAVER’S FAMOUS QUEENS
220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919)
And Package Bees
White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
Buckfast & All-American BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES AND BEGINNER’S KITS THE R WEAVER APIARIES, INC. 16495 C.R. 319, NAVASOTA, TX 77868
Phone (936) 825-2333 FAX (936) 825-3642
EMAIL: rweaver@rweaver.com WEBSITE: www.rweaver.com
DRAPER’S SUPER BEE We are expanding and want to share with you our new beekeeping supplies building in progress. If there is equipment you’d like to pick up at our OPEN HOUSE or the MSBA Fall Meeting give us a call by Oct. 20.
OPEN HOUSE OCT. 27 Call to reserve a spot for lunch. The cost is $12 and the lunch will be prepared here at Walk-About Acres. We will have sandwiches, salads, chips, honey lemonade, and of course, Walk-About Acres Honey Ice Cream.
6800 North Kircher Road Columbia, MO 65202 573-474-8837 walkaboutacres@centurylink.net www.walk-aboutacres.com
Heartland Honey and Beekeeping Supplies 19201 South Clare Road Spring Hill, KS 66061 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com
Specializing in:
Bee Pollen Beekeeping Supplies Containers (402) 274-3725
MISSOURI STATE BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION FALL 2011 LAKE OF THE OZARKS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM List all attendees’ names as you want them printed on the name tags, and please include any pertinent information such as: Beekeeper of the Year (list year), name of honey business, Master Beekeeper, Past President, etc. NAME:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY:___________________________________________________STATE: _ _________________________ZIP+FOUR:______________________________ PHONE:___________________________________________E-MAIL:________________________________________________________________________ REGISTRATION Member Member Family (must have paid 2011 dues as a family) Non-Member
$30 x __________=_________ _____ $35 =_______________ $35 x __________=_______________
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION (prior to October 18) Member Member Family (must have paid 2011 dues as a family) Non-Member
$25 x __________=_______________ $30 =_______________ $30 x __________=_______________
THURSDAY TOUR/LUNCH WALKABOUT ACRES (noon) Tour Tour & Lunch
Free x__________= Free $12 x __________=______________
THURSDAY WINE SOCIAL (donations accepted for the Honey Queen fund) With Paid Registration Guest (no paid registration)
Free x __________= Free $5 x ___________= _____________
FRIDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET Adult Children
$15.00 x__________=____________ $7.50 x ___________=____________
FRIDAY LUNCH Baked Potato, Salad, Cookie & Brownie Buffet Children
$14.50 x ________=______________ $7.25 x _________=______________
FRIDAY HONEY QUEEN BANQUET Roasted Pork Loin Buffet Children
$23 x ___________=_____________ $11.50 x ________= _____________
SATURDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET Adult Children
$15.00 x__________=____________ $7.50 x ___________=____________
SATURDAY LUNCH Country Club Cookout – Hamburgers & Hot Dogs Children
$15.50 x _________= ____________ $7.75 x __________=_____________
MSBA MEMBERSHIP Individual Family
Renewal Renewal
New New
$15 $20
_____________ _____________
QUEEN FUND DONATION
_____________
MEETING FUND DONATION
_____________
Please make checks payable to Missouri State Beekeepers Association (MSBA). Send to: Cathy Hogan, PO Box 281, Boss, MO 65440-0281, 573-626-4493. If you pre-register and then cannot attend, your registration fee will be considered a donation and no refund will be made. If you pay for meals and we are able to sell them, you will be refunded for those. Please note – no receipts will be sent. Checks will be deposited after the meeting.
M00255
M00255CPN
3 lb. Jugs 150 Jugs per Case M00280 Ship Wt. 70 lbs. per Case 1-5 Cases . . . . . . $85.00 per Case 6 & Up Cases . . . $82.00 per Case
Number of Jars Per Carton
Lid* Style (see below)
Order Number
Ship Weight Per Carton lbs.
8 ounces
24
1 (48 mm)
M001952
10
$14.00
1 pound
12
1 (58 mm)
M001962
8
$8.49
1 pound
24
1 (58 mm)
M001972
14
$16.30
2 pound
12
1 (63 mm)
M001982
12
$12.18
4 pound
6
(G70)
M001992
10
$11.49
Lid Style White plastic (glass not shipped by UPS) *We reserve the right to substitute lids should the style you requested not be available.
M00255 12 oz. Regular Bears with Cap and Collar (38mm) Cartons of 12 Case of 12 Ship Wt. 3 lbs. . . . . . . . . . $6.95 M00255CPN 12 oz. Clear Bears with Cap and Collar (38mm) Cartons of 12 Case of 12 Ship Wt. 3 lbs. . . . . . . . . . $8.25 M00256 Bulk Pack - 250 per case 1-4 Cases 250 per case . . $88.95 per case 5 & Up Cases . . . . . . . . . . . $86.95 per case Ship wt. 30 lbs. per case M00256CPN 12 oz. Clear Panel Bears with Cap and Collar (38mm) 1-4 Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . $107.95 per case 5 & Up Cases . . . . . . . . . . $101.95 per case Ship wt. 30 lbs. per case * 8 oz. and 2 lb. bearsare also available.
With 38mm Yellow Ratchet Style Lids
with 38mm Snap Caps Carton of 12 with white plastic lids
Price Per Ctn. 1-99 Cartons
Jar Size
No. of Jars Per Ctn.
Item Number
Ship Wt. Per Ctn. lbs.
8 oz.
24
M01150
2
$11.95
M001932
1 pound
24
M01151
3
13.99
1-99 . . . . . . $13.50 per Carton
1½ pound
24
M01152
4
16.95
(All Ship Wts. 12 lbs. per carton.)
2 pound
12
M01153
2
10.30
Please specify red or yellow snap caps. If none specified yellow will be sent.
5 lb. Jugs 120 Jugs per Case M00281 Ship Wt. 70 lbs. per Case 1-5 Cases . . . . . . $85.00 per Case 6 & Up Cases . . . $82.00 per Case
Price Per Carton 1-99 Cartons
Size of Jar Honey Capacity
Call for Pricing on 100+ Cartons • All prices are FOB, Hamilton, IL Note: Plastic containers may ship at individual weights listed not combined weights. All prices are subject to change.
October 2011
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Local Beekeepers Associations 1 Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
2 Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 3:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia President Jim Duever 573-254-3373 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
3 Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
4 Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
5 Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
6 Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
7 Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
8 Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
9 Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Charlotte Wiggins, President charlotte@bluebirdgardens.com
10 Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 2nd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Andy Nowachek, President 913-438-5397
11 Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Bernie Andrew 217-938-4975
12 Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Location varies, call contact number below if unsure Contact Stephany Sullivan 636-584-9817 sasullivan55@yahoo.com
13 Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of month, 7pm, Ozark Federal Savings & Loan President Bob Brenneke 573-518-1997 or 573-631-2782
14 Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
15 SEMO Honey Producers
2nd Thursday of month, Poplar Bluff Extension Office Contact Ernie Wells 573-429-0222 wells.ernie@gmail.com
16 South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
17 Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”)
3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. United Methodist Church, Hwy 37 NW of Monett Leon Riggs, President 417-235-5053
18 Southwest Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Glenn W. Smith 417-548-2255
19 Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
20 Northwest Missouri Bee Busters
1st Monday of odd months, 7:00 p.m. 511 4th Street, Conception Junction, MO 64434 Gerald Auffert, President 660-944-2535
21 Lake of the Ozarks Beekeepers
3rd Saturday of month, 1:00 p.m. UMC Extension Office, 100 E. Newton,Versailles MO Contact Russell Kasnick 573-372-3122
Can’t find a local near you? Contact our President or Vice President for assistance starting a new one!
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
October 2011 Honey Queen report by Lillian-Grace Misko Greetings all, After working hard all summer long, the bees are finally starting to slow down (if you can say that they slow down at all). That is how this past season of mine has been. Things have been very busy, yet productive, and it is about time to transition another Honey Queen in for 2012. What a pleasure it was to represent beekeepers, honey, and the MSBA this year at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia! I was there a total of four days meeting, greeting, and educating people with an observation hive. It always amazes me how frightened people are when they first see live bees behind glass. But after I would kindly communicate that the bees cannot get out, and welcome them to come closer, there is a sense of calmness that overcomes their first reaction of fright. It is rewarding to see their appreciation grow for these mighty little insects. I am happy to announce it was another successful year at the 2011 7C’s Winery Mead Fest. They were so kind to arrange numerous media interviews (including print, radio and television) to spread awareness about honey, bees, and beekeeping to nearly 800 people! I also had a marvelous time promoting and serving at the Ozark Empire Springfield Fair with the Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks and Dave Kayser. Another unique opportunity I had this past season was to provide an observation hive and to present my introductory PowerPoint on honey, bees and beekeeping to a group of ladies participating in a one-day convention with the Women in the Outdoors, supported by the National Wild Turkey Federation, at the Bass Pro Shop in Independence. While at the convention, I also had the privilege of taking a special class on designing and making uniquely crafted earrings. What an artsy, adventurous and pleasant group this was to work with! It was also quite rewarding to go to the Missouri Veterans’ Home in Warrensburg to bring honey sticks, candy, and a jar of local honey to Harold Shanks for his 99th birthday. When asked his secret to life, he said, “Of course honey!” He claims he eats five pounds a month! I have a few last events this semester before all comes to an end. On October 15, along with Mr. and Mrs. Brown, I will be appearing at the Dutch Days festival. Late October, I will be attending the MSBA Fall Meeting - there is a great program set up! I look forward to seeing and visiting with you all soon. With care, Lillian-Grace Misko 2011 Honey Queen
Page 15
Directory of Officers President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson MO 63755 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: John Timmons 636-940-8202 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles MO 63303 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Steve Moeller 573-886-0662 7035 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia MO 65202 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com Southern Director: Dave Kayser 417-767-2435 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 314-805-6451 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-703-7650 17 Great Lakes Dr., St. Peters MO 63376 editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia MO 65211
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
A Pennsylvania leatherwing (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus), commonly known as a soldier beetle, shares a set of yellow ironweed blooms (see front cover) with a pair of cucumber beetles. The leatherwing is named for its soft-buttough outer wings. Ironically, the larval stage of this beneficial insect is known to feed on cucumber beetles. Photo by Eugene Makovec
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter” in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
Business card size Quarter page
$15.00 $35.00
Half page Full page
$50.00 $100.00
Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
December 2011 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Another wonderful weekend at the Lake Spivak, Levi speak at Fall Meeting, new Honey Queen appointed by Eugene Makovec Over 140 beekeepers descended upon the small resort town of Lake Ozark for the annual Fall Meeting of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association. The Country Club Hotel and Spa was a new venue for us, boasting beautiful grounds and luxurious accommodations. Our guest speakers included Marla Spivak, Distinguised McKnight Professor at the University of Minnesota Department of Entomology; Ed Levi, Master Beekeeper and Arkansas State Bee Inspector; and C. Marina Marchese, author and apitherapist. These and other speakers covered a variety of topics, some of which are detailed below. Ed Levi talked chemistry, and chemical residues, in What’s in your Wax? “Bees make a perfect product,” he began. “It’s only damaged by how we handle it.” He talked about how NASA sent bees to space to study their behavior in zero gravity. They started out “helterskelter” but adjusted to their environment and wound up making good honeycomb. The wax they build may be perfect, but it soon becomes imperfect for two reasons: Beeswax is a fatty tissue, and just as in the human body, the fat allows it to to absorb a variety of things, good and bad. And, since honeybees are “like little environmental dust mops”, they manage to bring a lot of good and bad things back from their trips outside the hive. continued on page 4
Newly crowned for 2012, Missouri Honey Queen Megan Allen, left, takes over from 2011 Honey Queen Lillian-Grace Misko.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the President ............. 2 Spring Meeting preview .... 5 Hello from Megan Allen .... 7 2012 Missouri Honey Queen From the Queen Chair ..... 9 City of Honey ..................... 8 A visit to Montalcino, Italy
2012 beginners’ workshops 9 Stay tuned for more info Local associations ............ 11 Membership application .. 12 New -- Join and pay online! Honey Queen report ....... 13 Directory of officers .......... 13
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Page 2 From the President
by Grant Gillard
This is my favorite time of year. The farmers’ markets are over. The fever pitch of treating and feeding has subsided. There are no swarms to worry about. I’ve put the bees to bed with a hope and a prayer. I feel like I can breathe. In a way, it’s a forced sabbatical that I dearly need. My thoughts drift to lofty hopes and ambitious dreams for next year. Thankfully, there is always a next year, a redemptive reprisal of what might have been. As long as I have bees, I have a future and a hope. I’ve been looking over my notes from this past summer. I’m a little perturbed at how I squandered some golden opportunities. I regret how the farmers’ markets consumed more time than I wanted. I’m making mental notes on how I can manage my various bee yards more effectively. There were some plans I never implemented because I let other things get in the way. Next year will be different. For the next couple of months I’ll be working on equipment. I’ve got a bunch of frames I want to convert to foundationless frames. I’m also working on an aggressive frame-exchange program, culling those old, blackened frames and swapping them out for new frames. I make foundationless frames, if you’re not familiar with them, by gluing popsicle sticks in the top bar slot where the wax foundation would normally go. The rest of the frame is conventionally wired and the bees will draw out their comb using the popsicle stick as a guide. There is no need to add additional wax to the popsicle stick, though it really helps to place the foundationless frame between drawn frames to insure a straight comb. The benefits? Swapping out old frames for new is highly touted as a preventative measure against disease. Foundationless frames allow
the bees to draw out “natural-sized” cells of their own choosing (a debatable benefit). As the bees draw out their own wax, I avoid the chemical contaminants found in sheets of commercial foundation. And I save about 80 cents per frame. Yes, there is probably some honey consumed in the production of that wax, but I’m banking on the improved health to boost the honey production to offset that projected decline. I’m also working on a bunch of boxes, primarily brood boxes that have started to rot from the bottom up. I’ll cut them down to mediums. I’m moving away from paint to a 2:1 mix of boiled linseed oil and turpentine. Dipping is easier than painting and it’s getting too cool to paint. By spring they’ll be dry enough to work with. Once we clear the holidays, I’ll start working on my goals for each out yard. I’ll again consult my notes (a long list is better than a short memory!). I’ll cast a critical eye to where I have been, assess where I’m at this winter, and begin dreaming of where I want to go. Winter is my time to dream and scheme, ponder and plot where I hope to be this time next year. I draw inspiration from the following: Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do. All the best. Grant
Keep plenty of cows and bees, as the surest way of having milk and honey. Confine your cows with a good fence but let your bees go at large. The American Farmer, 1831 quote courtesy of Joe Waggle, Historical Honeybee Articles
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles/
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Megan Allen named Missouri Honey Queen at Fall Meeting continued from page 1 Brood comb in particular can become a problem, as multiple layers of cocoons provide a perfect environment for viruses and bacteria. And we need to worry not only about agricultural and other outside chemicals, but the apicultural pesticides that we ourselves apply.Fluvalinate (Apistan), for example, damages the virility of drones, while coumaphos (Checkmite) affects the health of the queen. Foreign chemicals in the hive also affect communication. Since bees communicate via chemical signals, added chemicals are like noise in the room. Levi also discussed Integrated Pest Management, and the differences between mechanical tools for mite and beetle control (“dumb methods for smart beekeepers”) and some bee-friendly chemical options. Dr. Spivak gave a couple of lectures about Winners in the “Honeybee Needlework” contest, from left: Second Place Judy Finck, Third Place honeybee health and “socialized medicine” Dolores Vivian, First Place Bonnie Potter, and Fourth Place Mimi Higgins. Other meeting contests within the hive. Among the points she included “Cooking and with Honey” and “Honey Soap”. covered: bees, Marla suggested that maybe we should use unfinished The number of managed bee colonies • lumber in our hive bodies. has been declining in this country since 1945, from close to six million to 2.5 million, due in part to increased pesticide use C. Marina Marchese joined us to talk about her book Honeybee: and a decrease the rotation of crops with clover. Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper, and her journey into the world Individual bees have effective defenses against various maladies, of publishing. Apparently it’s not a matter of just sending your • but do not produce antibodies, so there is no long-term manuscript to various publishers in the hopes of getting it accepted somewhere. Marina was advised by her agent to submit a “book memory of disease. At the colony level, there are a variety of defenses, from proposal”, consisting of a detailed overview, an outline and a couple • of sample chapters. propolis production to grooming and hygienic behavior. Hygienic behavior consists of removing mite-infested pupae Her proposal for a honey cookbook ran 85 pages! Then, after her • from their cells. It is the wound response due to feeding mites agent shopped it around for six months, she was finally called in by a that is detected, with hygienic strains of bees being more publisher who asked that she instead write a story about herself! And that was only the beginning. They gave her an approximate sensitive to these odors. Hygienic bees do not remove • continued next page drone brood, only workers. Propolis is primarily tree • resin, which the plant secretes around new buds to protect from injury as well as bacterial and fungal infection. If a colony is infected with • chalkbrood, it responds by increasing the number of propolis foragers. Bees coat the rough surface • of a tree hollow with propolis, but use little if any on the smooth inside walls of a man-made hive. Since studies show that propolis Ed Levi varnish makes for healthier Steve Moeller talks about the importance of mite counts in successful beekeeping.
December 2011
Page 5
MSBA Fall Meeting wrap-up continued from previous page word count and eight months to write the book, with submissions every couple of weeks. Her first printing was 20,000 books. Oh, and sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still planning to write that cookbook. Leroy Raymond, an official from the Missouri Department of Agriculture, detailed the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regulations on Scales, Weights, Measures and Labeling. We also had talks from several MSBA Marla Spivak members. Steve Moeller gave a presentation on Managing Bees in Single Brood Chambers, Bob Finck covered Mead Making, and Fred Meder gave a talk entitled How to Build a Better Mousetrap (Catching Swarms).
Heartland Honey and Beekeeping Supplies 19201 South Clare Road Spring Hill, KS 66061 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com
2012 Honey Queen Named Megan Allen, of Amazonia, Missouri, was named 2012 Missouri Honey Queen. She was introduced to honeybees and beekeeping by none other than our outgoing queen, at a Women in the Outdoors event in Independence. You can read her introductory letter on page 7 of this newsletter. Larry Hensley (left) hangs out during a break with the good folks at the Dadant booth.
SPRING MEETING PREVIEW
Left to right: Program Director Pam Brown, President Grant Gillard, author and guest speaker C. Marina Marchese, Vice President John Timmons, 2011 Honey Queen Lillian-Grace Misko
Our Spring 2012 meeting is in the final planning stages! Here are some details: March 9 & 10, 2012 with special activities on March 8, Chesterfield Marriott, West St. Louis County. Special speakers: Dr. Greg J. Hunt (Indiana), Dr. May Berenbaum (Illinois) and Jerry Hayes (Florida). Contests to be held: Cooking with Honey, bread (machine), brownies/ blondes, jam/jelly, cheesecake, mead, and Beeswax Art. Watch your email and our website in January for early registration information.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY 220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919) White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
WEAVER’S FAMOUS QUEENS And Package Bees
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EMAIL: rweaver@rweaver.com WEBSITE: www.rweaver.com
DRAPER’S SUPER BEE Specializing in:
Bee Pollen Beekeeping Supplies Containers (402) 274-3725
December 2011
Page 7
Hello from our incoming Honey Queen by Megan Allen Greetings Missouri beekeepers. My name is Megan Allen, from Amazonia, Missouri, and I am your newly appointed 2012 Missouri State Honey Queen. I would just like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you in case you were not able to attend the Fall Missouri State Beekeepers meeting at the Lake of the Ozarks. I would also like to thank everyone for their warm reception; it made me feel royally welcomed into the Association and the world of beekeeping. I would like to extend my thanks to Joyce and the board for electing me for this great opportunity and position to further my education in beekeeping and to also help others to learn the importance of honey bees as pollinators. I would also like to extend special thanks to Lillian and Kathy Misko for introducing me into the world of honey bees at a Women in the Outdoors event at the Bass Pro shop in Independence, Missouri, telling me about the Honey Queen Program and then extending a special invitation to my Mom and myself to come to their home and get some hands-on experience working with Honey Bees the week before the State Meeting. For those who weren’t able to attend the meeting in the Lake of the Ozarks I would like to let you know what a wonderful time I had and what a great job is done by your committee members to bring interesting people and topics to help other beekeepers to learn and better understand the honey bee. Some seminars were basic and some were very involved. There was also equipment available at booths that were staffed by very knowledgeable people who have been in the business and know bees. I am a novice where bees are concerned but I’m willing to learn about beekeeping and bees. I think it is very interesting and I have learned many interesting things which I have shared with family and friends who have been amazed that a bee could have so many interesting things that you can learn about them. I’m planning on continuing my education about them. After the state meeting I attended a meeting at the Northwest Missouri Bee Busters Association in Maryville. They are a great group of people who have come together with many years of knowledge in bee keeping. They were very welcoming and I look forward to the next meeting with them in January.
A fond farewell: Lillian-Grace Misko reflects on an eventful year as Missouri Honey Queen. She will compete for American Honey Queen at the American Beekeeping Federation’s convention in January. photo by Eugene Makovec
Also this fall, I have read several books on bees and beekeeping. I’ve been buying equipment and I bought my first hive at the state meeting. I plan on starting up a hive next spring. (I can hardly wait!!) My goals as Queen are to better educate people about bees as well as beekeeping, get more people involved in beekeeping, and promote all the many Outgoing Honey Queen Lillian-Grace Misko benefits. The only (left) pins the sash on incoming 2012 Queen thing that I would ask Megan Allen at the MSBA Fall Meeting. is that if anyone has any information or ways that I can further my education or better myself as Queen, please feel free to come and talk bees, so that I can BEE all that I can BEE. I encourage any help you can give me to help do the best job I can in representing beekeepers and beekeeping. I look forward to meeting everyone. PS: Package bee ordering time is just around the corner. Megan Allen, 2012 Missouri State Honey Queen
From the Queen Chair by Joyce Justice Exciting news: Lillian-Grace Misko, our present Missouri Honey Queen, has submitted her application to the American Beekeeping Federation to compete for the American Honey Queen. Go for it Lillian, we all know you should win! More exciting news: Megan Allen was chosen to be our Missouri Honey Queen for 2012. She was given her equipment to become a beekeeper for her birthday and is waiting for spring to start her hive. I am trying to retire as your Chairperson, so please someone step up to the plate and help promote the Missouri Honey Queen program. I will help you all I can. I have learned a lot that will be helpful. The beekeepers who have used the Queen to promote honey have been rewarded. I wish to thank all who have helped promote the Queen program and their patience with the Chairperson when she became so nervous. Thank you, Joyce
Queen Raffle: Competing queens are encouraged to sell raffle tickets at the ABF convention. Tickets are $5.00 each, and this year’s prize is a handmade quilt. Lillian would love to boast some ticket sales prior to the convention. If you wish to purchase tickets, please send payment to: Lillian-Grace Misko, 321 SW 58 Hwy, Centerview, MO 64019. Include your name and address and she can fill them into the tickets and take them with her to the meeting.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
A visit to the City of Honey by Martha Evans This story first appeared in the November 2011 newsletter of the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association. The idea of going to Montalcino (mohn-tahl-CHEE-noh), Italy started with an article in Bee Culture magazine. It describes a medieval town with an entrance sign reading “La Citta del Miele”, or “City of Honey”. That certainly caught my attention. Upon further research I came to find out that this town also produces one of Italy’s top wines, the pricey Brunello de Montalcino, along with some excellent cheeses and extra virgin olive oil. The “foodie” that I am I knew it would be my next vacation. My very good friend Leslie Lihou, a fellow member of Eastern MO Beekeepers, also agreed to go and would meet me in Florence. After two days of sightseeing and museums in Florence, I picked up a rental car and we proceeded to have a hair-raising day (one of many) getting to Montalcino. I would not recommend driving in Italy unless you have a death wish. Few things in life exceed our expectations, especially if your expectations are high. Montalcino more than surpassed what I had hoped. This medieval town, which is about a one-hour drive south of Siena, has a military layout, furrowed with narrow, steep roads and views of the Val d’Orcia landscape which are absolute masterpieces. The highest point is a Girls just wanna have fun! fourteenth-century fortress, complete with turrets and a commanding bird’s-eye view of the surrounding Tuscan landscape. The fortress is where Montalcino hosted its 35th annual “Settimana del Miele”, or “Honey Festival”. Beekeepers from the region of Arezzo, Grosseto and Siene were presenting and selling their bee products for three days, September 9-11. Beekeeping appears to be an important trade and livelihood for the people in that region. Some tents were set up outside the fortress and were mainly used for displaying bee blowers, clothing, extracting equipment, hives and hive equipment, etc. It appeared nobody in the equipment tents spoke English so I couldn’t get any explanations on some unusual items. However, the real action was inside the fortress which was a hollowed out area just perfect for setting up a huge tent. This tent was very crowded and had all the honey and honey products for tasting and selling. Everything was beautifully displayed. There were so many different honeys to taste. The displays were beautiful and the labeling very artistic. One table had an elegant row of wine glasses, each with honey in them. Little sticks were used for tasting. It was fun and interesting to taste and smell the different honeys. A few were: Castagna-Chestnut Color: dark amber with reddish tint. Aroma: herbal and pungent Texture: thick. Corbessolo -- a type of strawberry bush native to Italy. Color: brown with green tint Aroma: pungent and smoky Texture: crystallized medium to thick granules Tiglio -- French Linden Tree Color: pale crystallized Aroma: strong Texture: large granular crystals An impressive display of honey products Tents in the fortress To quote Marina Marchese , author of Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper, “Honey has a strong culinary tradition in Italy. It is tasted and evaluated to detect botanical sources as well as to identify certain defects such as fermentation, impurities, off-odors and flavors. Honey is judged in its liquid state, with no extra straining or laborious preparation, just extracted honey, period. Clarity is not an issue. Honey is to be enjoyed for its distinctive flavor profile and harmonious pairings with local cheeses.” After a full day of the honey festival, Leslie and I hurried to attend a Gregorian chant, a short distance from Montalcino at Sant’Antimo Abbey, which is one of the finest Romanesque religious buildings in Italy. The church dates from the 12th century. When we left the service the sun had just set and a beautiful full moon was on the horizon. It was a perfect ending to a perfectly sweet day in the magical city of Montalcino.
December 2011
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Beginning beekeeping workshops in planning stages for 2012 Stay tuned for more information in our February issue. The following clubs and individuals have springtime workshops in the planning stages for the spring of 2012: Eastern Missouri Beekeepers will host its Fifth Annual Beekeepers Workshop on February 11 in Fenton. It will feature Jennifer Berry, Erin Forbes and Grant Gillard, with instruction for beginners and experienced beekeepers. More at easternmobeekeepers.com. Three Rivers Beekeepers will hold a Beginning Beekeeping Workshop from February 24-26, and a Queen Rearing Workshop on March 17-18. More at www. threeriversbeekeepers.com. Boone Regional Beekeepers will host a Beginning Beekeeping Workshop on January 28 in Columbia. Contact Marty Comstock For April pickup in Lynnville, Iowa for more information at lyleclair@hotmail.com. or Hamilton, Illinois. Cory Stevens will host a field day at his queen mating apiary in Dexter on April 7. Call 573-225-6935 for more information. These are 2# and 3# packages from Valerie and Jim Duever will do an all-day beginnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; C.F. Koehnen and Sons. Your workshop on January 5, 2010 at the Great Plains Growers Conference in St Joseph, MO. For more information, email choice of Italian or Carniolan valerie.duever@gmail.com. queens. Jefferson County Beekeepers is offering a three-night Beginnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Beekeeping class. It will be January 25, February Carniolan queens will be available 1 and February 8 from 7:00-9:00 pm at the UMC Extension separately beginning in mid April. Office in Hillsboro. Cost of the class is $45.00 per person. To register, contact Wanda Kiggans at (636)797-5391. Contact Phil Ebert:
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December 2011
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Local Beekeepers Associations 1 Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
2 Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 3:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia President Jim Duever 573-254-3373 www.boonebees.org
3 Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
4 Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
5 Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
6 Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
7 Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
8 Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
9 Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Charlotte Wiggins, President charlotte@bluebirdgardens.com
10 Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 2nd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Andy Nowachek, President 913-438-5397
11 Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Bernie Andrew 217-938-4975
12 Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Location varies, call contact number below if unsure President Calvin Brandt cvbrandt@landolakes.com VP Rodney Angell bee143@fidnet.com
13 Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of month, 7pm, Ozark Federal Savings & Loan President Bob Brenneke 573-518-1997 or 573-631-2782
14 Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
15 SEMO Honey Producers
2nd Thursday of month, Poplar Bluff Extension Office Contact Ernie Wells 573-429-0222 wells.ernie@gmail.com
16 South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
17 Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”)
3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. United Methodist Church, Hwy 37 NW of Monett Leon Riggs, President 417-235-5053
18 Southwest Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Glenn W. Smith 417-548-2255
19 Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
20 Northwest Missouri Bee Busters
1st Monday of odd months, 7:00 p.m. 511 4th Street, Conception Junction, MO 64434 Gerald Auffert, President 660-944-2535
21 Lake of the Ozarks Beekeepers
3rd Saturday of month, 1:00 p.m. UMC Extension Office, 100 E. Newton,Versailles MO Contact Russell Kasnick 573-372-3122
Can’t find a local near you? Contact our President or Vice President for assistance starting a new one!
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association New! Join or renew at www.mostatebeekeepers.org and use your credit card or PayPal!
December 2011 Honey Queen report by Lillian-Grace Misko Greetings, When I first started this journey I truly was unaware of the blessings and experiences I would receive through the Honey Queen Program and beekeeping. Initially I thought, “Bees are pretty fascinating and ‘cool.’” But now I realize they are extremely fascinating, vitally important, and intricately designed. It was a delight to wrap up this year doing a few more events. At Deutsch Days I had the pleasure of promoting honey, bees and beekeeping at Ian and Pam Brown’s Femme Osage Apiaries booth. It was a joy to see children and adults spark up with interest at our observation hive full of “real” honeybees! I had a splendid time giving the Master Gardeners Club at Powell Gardens a detailed presentation on honeybees and beekeeping. They thoroughly enjoyed my “Microwave Munchies” I made for them with honey along with viewing an observation hive. The ladies were quite interested in what I had to say about the health benefits of honey along with Medihoney, (which is a medical grade honey that various physicians prescribe for burns, deep wounds, and even staph infections). Medihoney specifically is honey made from the manuka tree in New Zealand. At the MSBA’s Fall Meeting I was showered with sincere “thanks” from numerous people for being your 2011 Missouri State Honey Queen. But honestly, I should be thanking YOU! I am blessed, or maybe I should say spoiled, spoiled with all of YOUR “sweet” support. As my year as Queen is coming to a close, I reminisce on all of my wonderful memories and experiences—experiences that have challenged and enriched my life! Never would I have imagined grabbing a handful of bees, cooking a four-course meal with honey in less than 45 minutes, and not to mention voluntarily getting stung by a bee on my knee! I am not leaving you empty-handed, however; it is exciting to pass the duty to Megan Allen, 2012 Missouri State Honey Queen. She is intrigued with beekeeping and has a wonderful and joyful spirit! She will fulfill your expectations and more, so please continue to invite the Honey Queen to help promote bees, beekeeping, and honey at your upcoming events. I am thrilled to announce I will be representing the Missouri State Beekeepers Association at the North American Beekeeping Conference and Tradeshow, January 2012 in Las Vegas! It will be an exciting meeting, so many beekeepers will attend from all over America and around the world! I encourage others to attend as well. Please do let me know if I should expect to see you. Thank YOU for investing in me as I traveled more than 4,000 miles and reached more than 517,000 people as YOUR representative and advocate for honey, bees, and beekeeping! I must say, none of this would have been possible without the encouragement, assistance, and mentorship of Joyce Justice (Queen Chairperson) and Cathy Misko—you are two very special, unique, and inspiring ladies in my life! Blessings to all, Lillian-Grace Misko 2011 Missouri State Honey Queen
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Directory of Officers President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson MO 63755 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: John Timmons 636-940-8202 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles MO 63303 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Steve Moeller 573-886-0662 7035 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia MO 65202 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Glenn Davis 4618 Highway Z Bates City MO
816-690-8007 64011-8335
Southern Director: Dave Kayser 417-767-2435 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 314-805-6451 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Cory Stevens 573-225-6935 PO Box 214, Dexter MO 63841 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-703-7650 17 Great Lakes Dr., St. Peters MO 63376 editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia MO 65211
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
A few diehard baseball fans (mostly from the St. Louis contingent) headed straight from Friday night’s banquet to the hotel lounge to watch the Cardinals complete an improbable comeback to win their 11th World Series title. photo by Eugene Makovec
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter” in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
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