Nelson County Beekeepers
What’s The Buzz
Volume 5, Issue 5
Nelson County May 2019
Meeting
May 16th @ 6:30 pm May 16th @ 6:30 PM
Round Table discussion. How are your Nucs and/or Bees doing so far ? Any problems or questions we can help you with?
Officers President-Steve Hutchins Vice President-Darrell Hester Secretary-Bennie Hite
POT – LUCK DINNER
Treasurer & Editor-Susan Zhunga Hospitality-Monthly Volunteer Newsletter Publisher– Georganne Collins
Inside this issue: Meeting Minutes
2
Meeting Minutes
3
Pot luck will be served. Lee's Chicken. Please be sure and bring sides and desserts to share. Don't forget to set up and clean up. We need to be mindful of the Extension Office sharing their kitchen with us.
Items Available for Sale 4
Spread the Word
6
Robbie Smith County Extension Agent for Horticulture
Page 2 MEETING MINUTES April 18th, 2019 Attending: Darrel Hester, Benny Hite, Ricky Humphrey, Steve Hutchins, Ernie Sharp, Pat Swartz, and Henry Wilkerson. Discussed: Ricky Humphrey will be taking care of the trash pickup on Bloomfield Road and it looks like the date will be May 18th. Ricky has also spoke to the Ky Highway Department in regards to the pollinator plot and they will come back and disked the area soon. New phone data will be printed soon. Bee Meeting: After a very good meal, Robbie Smith talked about the correct way to label your honey jars for the up coming year. This can be found on the Web. Just Google correct labeling for honey in the State of Kentucky. These regulation apply if you intend on selling your honey in a retail market. Which includes, craft fairs, farmers markets, and county fairs. After Robbie, Adam Wheatley with Farm Bureau then spoke to us regarding the liability related to owning bees and selling honey. He stated that if you already have “Farm� insurance you are already covered. Otherwise you will need to purchase liability insurance. We welcomed two new members, Joe and Judy Spalding and there was 37 people in attendance. Darrel Hester won the door prize. Secretary Benny Joe Hite FINANCIAL STATEMENT 4/30/2019 Opening balance
1/1/2019
$2,125.37
Gross Income
$469.00 Due/T's
Net Expense
$-643.00 includes school & free nuc
Bank Balance
$1,951.37
Page 3 May Calendar ALLEN COUNTY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION WEBSITE
The Bees: Now the activity really starts hopping. The nectar and pollen should begin to come into the hive thick and fast. The queen will be reaching her greatest rate of egg laying.
The hive should be bursting with activity. The Beekeeper: Now is the time to put on supers and add a queen excluder if you choose to use one, or if not just place honey supers directly on top of the top deep. When placing honey supers, place twice as many as you think the hive will need. Bees need room to store nectar and then convert it to honey, extra supers will keep them from storing honey in the brood area which is a trigger that sets off swarming. Inspect the hive weekly, 10 days maximum. You should also start attacking the hive beetles. Have a plan. Swiffers, traps or anything else you think will help. Be sure and Attend Bee Club meetings and workshops. They are your best source for information. (Continued on page 7)
Page 4 ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR MEMEBERS ONLY
Test kits for American Foul Brood (AFB) and European Foul Brood (EFB) are available for purchase from Extension Office for $14.00 each. Please call me (Susan 507-8789) for availability. If any member has beekeeping items for sale, list them in the newsletter and/or bring them to the meeting. We can do some bartering after the regular meeting is over. Good time to save some money on necessary items. Be sure and bring items in good clean condition. Make sure they are priced and have your name. We will set up special tables for your items.
Mike Johnson – Will make wooden ware to order. Boxes, frames and wax dipping. Contact Mike for information and pricing @ 502-249-2007.
The Club - has NCB T - Shirts Prices are: $8.00 for children $10.00 for Adults and $12.00 for Adults 2x & 3x. All members are encouraged to join us on Facebook. Ask questions, show your progress, and share your pictures. “Nelson County Beekeepers”. We would love to hear from you.
Page 5
To Our Membership
The club has added a lot of new members over the past year, and as such, would like to know what you would like to have presented at some of the meetings ? What would you like to lean more about, and how can the club help ? It's your club, and your dues that support all of our efforts to help with understanding the importance of beekeeping. Talk to the officers at the meeting or post your thought on “Facebook�. We encourage you to bring us some ideas to keep the club interesting and informative. Your President Steve Hutchins.
Page 6 SPREAD THE WORD
There are 2 extractors complete with all that you need to extract honey. It comes with a refractometer to test you honey. $10.00 for useage, with a 2 day maximum.
All members are encouraged to join us on Facebook. Ask questions, show your progress, and share your pictures. “Nelson
County Beekeepers�. We would love to hear from you.
Page 7
(Continued from page 3)
BEEKEEPING BOOKS Top Titles: Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping, Dewey M. Caron and
Lawrence John Connor (2018) The Beekeeper’s Handbook, Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile (2011) The Hive and the Honeybee, published by Dadant & Sons (2015) The ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture, A. I. Root and others (latest revised edition) Beekeeping for Dummies, Howland Blackiston (2017) The Buzz about Bees: Biology of a Superorganism, Jürgen Tautz
(2008) Honeybee Democracy, Thomas Seeley (2010) The Backyard Beekeeper: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden, Kim Flottum (2018)
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Bardstown KY 40004
317 S Third St
Nelson County