Nelson County January 2020
Nelson County Beekeepers
What’s The Buzz
Volume 6 Issue 1
Meeting
JANUARY 2020 HAPPY NEW BEEKEEPIN YEAR Thank you Benny Hite for you several years of service as Secretary or our club. We know and appreciate you taking this job on for as long as you did.
Officers President-Steve Hutchins
Also a welcome to our new Secretary Carolyn Hurd. Thank you for stepping in Secretary-Bennie Hite and taking on this additional task. Both Treasurer & Editor-Susan you and Nancy King do such a great job Zhunga as our greeters, registering members, and Hospitality-Monthly Volunteers collecting money. Thanks Again from all Newsletter Publisher– of us. Vice President-Darrell Hester
Georganne Collins
Steve Hutchins, President Inside this issue: POT LUCK SUPPER Financials & Minutes
2
Extractor
3
Bring dishes and desserts that you want to share. Set up and clean up is done by volunteers. Please help with this service. We all love the pot luck.
Items Available for Sale 4
Beekeepers Calendars
4-6
Robbie Smith County Extension Agent for Horticulture
Page 2 Financials & Minutes FINANCIAL STATEMENT 12/31/2019 Opening balance
1/1/2019
$2,125.37
Gross Income
$1,182.00 Due/Extractor/ road cleanup
Net Expense
$-1,259.22 A&C Fair/Food/ Door Prizes
Bank Balance
$2,048.15
Previous Meetings Minutes 12/19/19
Nelson County Beekeepers December 19, 2019 Meeting Steering Committee Meeting Attending: Darrol Hester, Benny Hite, Ricky Humphrey, Steve Hutchins, Henry Wilkerson, Susan Zhunga Discussed: Talked about another bee school this spring. Roy Hutchins and Randy Weber will be taking care of ordering and delivering the nucs this year. Bee Meeting: After another fine ham dinner featuring Robbie Smith’s ham, Susan Zhunga spoke about the winter bee school February 29, 2020. Then the meeting was turned over to Harley Blankenship were he gave a great presentation on the laws of bees and honey in Kentucky. There was 31 people in attendance and Billy Brown and Dom Buonadonna won the door prizes. Benny Joe Hite Secretary
Page 3 Attention Attention 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 usage, with a 3 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.
February 29, 2020
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 4 MEETING January 16st @ 6:30 pm Round table discussion. 1. We will talk about the up coming FREE Bee School on February 29, 2020. We already have some great input as to what people would like for classes. We will be looking for volunteers to both work and teach some of the classes. The club will be purchasing 1 Nuc for raffle at the upcoming Free Bee School. Everyone can buy a chance for $5.00. Proceeds help to pay for the food and other club expenses. We also need to talk about the purchase of Nucs. ½ payment is due at the next meeting unless other arrangements have been made. Keep in mind that if we don't reach out goal of 50 Nucs we will not get the discount of $130 per Nuc. We will then pay $140 per Nuc, which is still a very good price. This school is not just for members. If you know someone that might be interested they will be welcome. The summary for the school is as follows;
FREE BEE SCHOOL SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING Date is February 29, 2020. Something for every one at all stages of beekeeping.
The classes will cover three categories. 1. Buying Bees. 2. Catching Bees. 3. Making bees.
Page 5 (Continued from page 4)
Optional lunch for $5.00 per person will be available. Registration starts @ 8:00 am with coffee plus. Great door prizes. Also included is a $5.00 per chance drawing on a 5 Frame NUC from Sutton Farms. School will be limited to 50 people, so please register with the Nelson County Extension Office @ 348-9204 Class breakdown is still being worked on. Here is an overview of some of the classes that we have detailed: Buying Bees – The options – Boxes vs Nucs. What you can expect from each. The advantages and disavantages. How to handle and install.
Catching Bees A. Swarms - Catching B. Baiting Boxes C. Moving Bees Making Bees A. Splits B. Swarm Prevention C. Re-Queening D. Queen Rearing. 4. We will finish up with instructions on Pest Control and Equipment Storing.
Page 6 Beekeepers Calendars WINTER SURVIVAL – By Kevin Hale Winter Survival depends on your Fall preparation Take your losses in the Fall not, in the Winter. If you don't have good bees in the Fall, you will not have good bees for the Spring honey flow. Must have young and health bees, and LOTS of them. Keep Queen laying into the Fall and Winter. Bees you see in October and November are Winter bees. January through March are the survival months. February through April are the Spring buildup months.
May through July are the honey production months. Normally we feed 2:1 don't trickle feed, determine how much that hive needs and feed it in one or two feedings. Continue to feed sugar/protein patties through December. If a double hive in not strong, cut it down to a single box. Easier for a small hive to survive in a small space. Reduce or block entrance from wind. Don't forget mouse guards. Check hives every two weeks to make sure they have plenty of food. Don't open for inspection. Keep hives open only minimal time to add food. Wrap hives if necessary it can help smaller hives. Winter feed should never be considered emergency feed. In January, February and March I used sugar blocks and sugar/ protein blocks on top of frames in 3� spacer. Be careful placing to early or bees will move up to them. Winter patties, or candy boards also good option. I am a firm believer of providing pro-
Page 7 tein all winter. Kevins' sugar/protein blocks contain 15% protein, most purchased winter patties contain only 4% protein. Prop outer covers open with stick (I (Kevin) do this year round). Good for ventilation to prevent moisture. Beetles: Smash them !! Not much you can do right now, they are not bad and will cluster with the bees.
ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR SALE 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.
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.
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Bardstown KY 40004
317 S Third St
Nelson County