No January BCBC Meeting

The Buncombe County Bee Club
will not meet in January.

Look forward to joining us
the first Monday of February
for more learning, sharing
and bee fun!

NPR airs story on 'Funny Honey'

A story on efforts by the big commercial honey sellers to make sure they are importing 'real' honey. Personally, I think it's much better (environmentally, sustainability) to support local beekeepers, but it's interesting to see what's going on globally.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/12/13/142903171/funny-honey-bringing-trust-to-a-sweet-sector-fraught-with-suspicion

REMINDER FOR CLUB MEMBERS

Remember...
There is no December meeting
of the Buncombe County Beekeepers.
Join us again for BCBC in January.
December is the officers board meeting,
details to be announced.

Great article on Eatocracy.com

Hi-tech beehive

Kind of cool (I think ;-) that beekeeping is so chic. Am I correct in thinking this would be illegal because of the lack of removable, examinable frames? Check out the article at: http://www.psfk.com/2011/11/phillips-taps-into-a-trendy-new-hobby-beekeeping.html

Come Hear Natural Beekeeping Author!

Presentation By and Conversations With Ross Conrad

What: CCD and the Current State of Beekeeping: Ross covers the latest
on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), the current state of beekeeping,
and how we can help the bees during this time of stress.
When: Monday, November 14, 2011, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Doors open 6:30)
Where: Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center,
Fletcher, NC (just south of Asheville, I-26 Airport exit)
Suggested donation: $10

Ross Conrad learned his craft from world-renowned beekeeper and apitherapist, Charles Mraz, and Charlie's son Bill. Conrad is a former president of the
Vermont Beekeepers Association, a regular contributor to Bee Culture - The
Magazine of American Beekeeping, and author of Natural Beekeeping: Organic
Approaches To Modern Apiculture. Ross has given bee-related presentations
and led organic beekeeping workshops and classes throughout North
America for many years. His small, human-scale beekeeping business, Dancing
Bee Gardens, sells honey and candles among other bee-related products,
directly to friends, neighbors, and the local community.

Directions: Interstate 26 to Exit #40 (the Asheville Regional Airport exit).
Turn toward the airport/Brevard onto NC Hwy 280. Just past the end of the
airport runway, the highway curves to the right. Turn right at the first road after
the runway onto Old Fanning Bridge Road. Go approx. 1 1/2 mile to the
MHCR&EC building on the right at the top of the hill.
For more information: Debra Roberts, (828) 712-0880

Event Reminders & Corrections

See our blog post below for details on the Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter annual potluck and Bee Bowl. Bring a dish to share November 7th!

The Center for Honeybee Research hosts Ross Conrad, author of Natural Beekeeping. Conrad will discuss "CCD and Current State of Beekeeping" on November 14th at 7pm. Details below on our blog and at: www.centerforhoneybeeresearch.org

And a note of correction! Mary Ellen Brown's full name was inadvertently omitted from the blog listing BCBC members who won at the WNC State Fair. Congratulations Mary Ellen on your 3rd place finish in Wax Novelties!

Linking Local Beekeepers with Honeybee Researchers

In October, the Center for Honey Bee Research hosted the conference, “What Turns Bees On?” in conjunction with international honeybee researchers. Lecturers included: Cristofer Bang, PhD, Arizona State University; Adam Dolezal, Arizona State University; Tom Seeley, PhD, Cornell University; David Tarpy, PhD, NCSU; Stan Schneider, PhD, UNCC; Olav Ruepell, PhD, UNCG; Humberto Boncristiani, PhD, UNCG; Juliana Rangel, PhD, NCSU.

Dr. Tom Seeley was the keynote speaker and presented his findings regarding the processes swarms use to choose a new site. Through his research, Seeley has been able to determine that scout bees promote future potential colony sites through waggle dances. The scout bees then garner consensus for a final destination through a quorum via waggle dances. Once the scouts have a quorum, they rally the swarm to relocate to its new home.

In his latest book, Honey Bee Democracy, Seeley provides detailed explanations of the swarm’s behavior and discusses implications for human organizations. His book is available locally at Malaprops.

The other presenters rounded out the conference with reports from their research on: the affect of urban environments on pollinator diversity; the lives of social insects; and how colonies decide when to swarm and who leaves with the swarm. Dr David Tarpy provided the final presentation on his latest research regarding colony survival related to queen bee phenotypes.

During the daylong conference, the Center for Honeybee Research also announced the winners of the Black Jar Honey Contest. Contest winners were: Janet Peterson won 3rd place, Virginia Webb 2nd, and Carl Caudle was named the grand winner.

Congratulations to the Center for Honey Bee Research for their excellent conference. Their linking of researchers to beekeepers has given local beekeepers opportunities for continuing education never available before. To become involved in the Center for Honeybee Research visit their website at: www.centerforhoneybeeresearch.org

Potluck and Bee-Bowl

Our next BCBC
Buncombe County
Bee meeting will be Monday,
November 7, at 7:00 pm
at Groce United Methodist Church in Asheville.

We will have a potluck dinner starting at 6:30.
Bring your favorite dish
to share.

Cooking with honey
is delicious but not required.

Brush up your Bee Knowledge
and come ready to be placed on teams in our
Quiz Bowl type "Bee Bowl!"

Answer questions like:
"How long does a worker bee live?"
"How many eyes does a bee have?"
"How many days from egg to adult of a worker, drone and queen?"
"Name the scent gland of the honeybee."

You and your team will come up with answers
to compete and hopefully win.

Food and fun at our November meeting.



There is no December meeting.
After November, join us again in January.
Stay tuned for details!

Come Hear Natural Beekeeping Author!

Presentation By and Conversations With Ross Conrad

What: CCD and the Current State of Beekeeping: Ross covers the latest
on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), the current state of beekeeping,
and how we can help the bees during this time of stress.
When: Monday, November 14, 2011, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Doors open 6:30)
Where: Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center,
Fletcher, NC (just south of Asheville, I-26 Airport exit)
Suggested donation: $10

Ross Conrad learned his craft from world-renowned beekeeper and apitherapist, Charles Mraz, and Charlie's son Bill. Conrad is a former president of the
Vermont Beekeepers Association, a regular contributor to Bee Culture - The
Magazine of American Beekeeping, and author of Natural Beekeeping: Organic
Approaches To Modern Apiculture. Ross has given bee-related presentations
and led organic beekeeping workshops and classes throughout North
America for many years. His small, human-scale beekeeping business, Dancing
Bee Gardens, sells honey and candles among other bee-related products,
directly to friends, neighbors, and the local community.

Directions: Interstate 26 to Exit #40 (the Asheville Regional Airport exit).
Turn toward the airport/Brevard onto NC Hwy 280. Just past the end of the
airport runway, the highway curves to the right. Turn right at the first road after
the runway onto Old Fanning Bridge Road. Go approx. 1 1/2 mile to the
MHCR&EC building on the right at the top of the hill.
For more information: Debra Roberts, (828) 712-0880

Beekeeping Classes from Beehealing.org

Tuesday, October 25, 6-9 PM - Natural Beekeeping Class.
Learn about Natural Beekeeping from the Bee's point of view. No harsh or soft chemicals, no sugar shakes, no beetle traps, etc. Learn how your bees can become resistant and why. Go to http://beehealing.org/buzz.html for more details of location and cost and to sign up.

Wednesday, October 26, 6-9 - Learn the rhythm of the earth's plant cycle as it relates to honeybees and humans.
Discover how Mother's timing of growing her plants are for our health and that of the honeybees, especially the autoimmune systems, throughout the growing season - what parts of the body, and how. The honeybee is a link to humans most folks don't realize or think about when it comes to our health and the health of the earth. Their immune systems almost have the same requirements as human beings. We are so connected to the honeybee; if they die, so does the human race. Go to http://beehealing.org/buzz.html for more details of location and cost and to sign up. There is a discount of you also take the Natural Beekeeping Class.

BCBC Members at WNC State Fair

BCBC volunteers shared their knowledge of bees with attendees at the 2011 WNC State Fair. Chapter members ranked among the ribbon winners for their entries of hive products. The following pictures are: Jeff Hambley giving out hand stamps for finding the queen; the BCBC exhibit; Janet Peterson talking with Fair guests; Janet Peterson's 3rd place block wax entry; Juanita Sanders' Best in Show for 3lb wax sunflower; Jared Sanders' shallow comb entries win 1st-3rd places; and, Wayne Holland's 1st place Dark Extract.
Other BCBC members with ribbon winning entries: Mary Ellen placed 3rd in Wax Novelties; Jared Sanders placed 2nd and Cynthia Schwartz placed 3rd in Dark Extracted.
A very special thank you to all the volunteers who coordinated and assisted with the Fair Exhibit and to Janet Peterson for the photos and report.

October BCBC Meeting

Our next Buncombe County Bee meeting
will be Monday evening, October 3 at 7:00 pm
at Groce United Methodist Church in Asheville.

We will preview the upcoming event
What Turns Bees On Conference
sponsored by the Center for Honeybee Research
that is headquartered here in Buncombe County.
World class honeybee scholars and cutting edge research!

We will also engage in a honey tasting
to sample honey from different pollen sources
and to see what it tastes like when someone
adds artificial ingredients to honey for market.

We will also talk about how and when to feed our bees
when their honey stores are not ample for winter.

Come join us!

BCBC member Edd Buchanan featured in USA Today

Edd Buchanan was recently featured in an USA Today article on beekeeping. Edd is a founding member of Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter and is a 4th generation beekeeper. See Edd at the monthly chapter meeting in September (9-6-2011) for an autograph! The full article can be viewed at: www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2011-09-04/Beekeeping-can-supply-you-andneighbors-with-honey/50244004/1
Story and photo credited to Dean Fosdick, Associated Press published in USA Today 9-4-2011.

WNC Fair Volunteers Needed

Darrell is coordinating WNC Fair volunteers for the BCBC booth on honeybees and has some slots still available. Volunteers can choose among shifts through the week and the last weekend of the fair. See www.wncbees.org forums to sign up. It's a great opportunity to talk with the public about role of honeybees in our lives and share your experiences with bees and beekeeping.

Bee Escapes and a very helpful website...

I have found Micheal Bush's website to be a very helpful and informative resource for chemical-free beekeeping. This year I tried a new harvest technique I learned here and it worked really well. This is from his section on Bee Escapes:

"But I have liked the triangular ones from Brushy Mt. Usually the supers are removed, the escape is put on (it's one way so be sure its the right way, letting the bees out, but not in) and you wait a day or two for the bees to leave. Again, they will not leave if there is brood in the supers. I prefer to put one of these on a bottom board (with the escape down) and stack supers up about as high as I can reach them and then put one on top (with the escape up) and come back in 24 to 48 hours. The biggest disadvantage is you have to handle every box three times if you put it on the hive (once to get them off, then put on the escape, then stack them back on the hive, then load them up) and twice if you put it on its own bottom board (once to stack them on the bottom board and once to load them up)."

I didn't have enough bee escapes to have one on the top of each stack so I did it a bit differently: I started with a hive stand and a bottom board. I placed the triangular bee escape board on top of the bottom board and stacked the supers on top of that. After stacking all of the supers, I covered the stack with an outer cover. In the 2 day interim between stacking and harvest, all of the bees left the supers and went back to their hives. I loved this method, because the hives (with 50K or so potentially mad bees) aren't opened during harvest. Moving the supers to the setup (right next to the hive) 48 hours prior to harvest was really easy...even considering that I took the time to sort through the super frames (placing only capped frames in the stack) and also shaking off the bees along the way. This preparation step made it really easy to get the (beeless) supers inside on the morning of the long day of extracting. It couldn't have gone smoother.
For me, this is a great solution. And, as you can see in the photo, there were practically no bees left in the supers (I think we found three!).

Karen Hansen

Honeybees in Afghanistan

Click on the title for some good news in the world. In addition to the honeybee's role in pollination, sweetness, and wonder...

September Meeting DATE CHANGE

The September meeting of BCBC
will be TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
instead of our usual Monday
due to Labor Day.

At our elevation of around 3100 ft, the Sourwood flow is over and the honey has been harvested. I want to start making splits as soon as the Goldenrod and Aster start up, but in the meantime I've been sitting by the hives saying 'thank you' and watching what the girls are bringing back to the hive. This past week I noticed something I've never seen before....PURPLE POLLEN! And not just one or two bees, but many girls coming back with cute little lavender chaps that remind me of grape sorbet or purple Playdough. I have been asking around to see if anyone knows what plant makes purple pollen and, although there are several (Phacelia, Thistle, etc.), none are currently blooming around here. I'm wondering if anyone else is seeing this and what it is. Until I find out, it's a great summertime mystery!
Karen Hansen

August 1st Meeting!!

Janet Peterson will lead a presentation on working with wax for entering the state fair at the August 1st Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter meeting. Hands-on projects and a demonstration of cleaning your wax will be included along with understanding what the judges are looking for with honey. While the State Fair in Raleigh has numerous submissions in wax, Janet notes that wax exhibits are typically absent at the NC Mountain State Fair. So learn how...the state fair is coming up in September and entries have to be in by August 26th.

The Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter will meet August 1, 2011 from 7-9pm in the community room at Grace United Methodist Church on 954 Tunnel Rd Asheville NC. Visitors welcome and memberships available at door.

Working with bee wax at BCBC August meeting

Janet Peterson will lead a presentation on working with wax for candle making at the August 1st Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter meeting. Hands-on projects and a demonstration of cleaning your wax will be included. Janet has studied with award winner Virgina Webb and with Orange County Beekeepers, routine winners in the wax competition at the NC State Fair in Raleigh, NC. While the State Fair in Raleigh has numerous submissions in wax, Janet notes that wax exhibits are typically absent at the NC Mountain State Fair. As part of her presentation, Janet will show you how to prepare a wax entry for NC Mountain State Fair in September 2011.

The Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter will meet August 1, 2011 from 7-9pm in the community room at Grace United Methodist Church on 954 Tunnel Rd Asheville NC. Visitors welcome and memberships available at door.

Current Events & Corrections

**The NC State Beekeepers Association is currently in session at Elon University in Elon, NC. Members can register at the door for $30 individual and $35 family. There is a banquet Friday evening and a honey swap. Details on the NCSBA link above.

**Corrections to the post for the Choreography of Handling Bee Equipment & Working with Bees class by Debra Roberts. The last class is to be offered July 16th not June 16th. There is still time to sign up! For more information contact Debra at 828-712-0880.

**Don't forget about the Center For Honey Bee Research "Black Jar Honey Contest." Entries are being accepted now through August 15th. First prize winner will receive $300, 2nd place$150, and third place $75. There is a $10 entry fee and all proceeds will go to the Center for Honey Bee Research. See the link above for details and more information about the Center for Honeybee Research.

No July BCBC Meeting

Just a reminder that Buncombe County Bee Club does not meeting July.
Have a happy fourth, safe and joyful.
We will see you the first Monday of August!

The Choreography of Handling Bee Equipment & Working with Bees

Are you a new bee keeper wanting some hands-on assistance with working your bees? If so, Debra Roberts, a Master Bee Keeper and member of BCBC, is offering a workshop designed to address your needs. There are three different dates available for you to choose. The workshop will include lecture and demonstration and lots of opportunities for questions.
Dates: (choose one)
Saturday June 25
Sunday July 10
Saturday July 16
Time: 9:30-12:30
Bring: your bee suit, pen and notebook, snacks and lunch (if you'd like to stay afterwards to eat). Water and iced tea provided.
For more information and directions contact Debra Roberts at 828-712-0880.

Asheville International Pollinator Week June 20th-26th

It takes just 21 days for a worker bee to hatch. That's what we're asking for you to attend the Quen of the Sun showing at the Asheville Fine Arts Theatre on June 21st from 7-9pm with a reception following the film at Laurey's Gourmet Catering, a quick walk across the street from the theatre...$1 per day of growth for these lovely creatures we call honeybees...This movie is moving and tells the amzaing story of how honeybees share their wealth and lives for our lives to bee abundant and rich in so may ways! Come dance the dance of the bees and celebrate them with us!

Todd Elliot will play a few honeybee songs with SJ Bee prior to the showing too!

One more thing...each attendee will receive a free copy of The Honeybee Fly Around Song DVD produced for The Honeybee Project!

Asheville International Pollinator Week June 20-26th

For more information click here!

Top Bar Hive & Song

Sam Comfort of Anarchy Apiaries provided an engaging presentation in the use of Top Bar Hives, Warre Hives, small cell beekeeping, queen rearing and merry making beekeeping. Sam wove his personal journey with bees into the larger fabric of bee keeping in America. He concluded his talk with original songs celebrating bees and other insects to the delight of the crowd!

Top Bar Hives, June BCBC Meeting

While we usually don't have a June meeting,
we decided to take advantage of having
Sam Comfort of Anarchy Apiaries
in the area.

We've asked Sam to talk to us
about a different type of beekeeping:
TOP BAR HIVES.

To learn more, click here.

Or join us on
June 6, 2011 at 7:00 pm
in the Fellowship Hall at
Groce United Methodist.

Groce UMC
is at 954 Tunnel Road in Asheville.
See the wncbees.org page for directions.

May BCBC Meeting

On May 2 join us for our monthly
Buncombe County Beekeepers meeting.

Wayne Smith will present on
"Plants for Your Bees and You!"

We also plan to spend some time
in questions and answers
with an expert panel...
a great opportunity for our newest beekeepers
as well as those of us who are
coming up with new questions all the time.

May 2, 2011 at 7:00 pm
in the Fellowship Hall at
Groce United Methodist.

Groce UMC
is at 954 Tunnel Road in Asheville.
See the wncbees.org page for directions.

Speaking of plants,
have you seen the tulip poplars blooming?
Are you ready for the spring honey flow?

APRIL BCBC MEETING

At our April meeting CARL CHESICK,
one of our BCBC directors,
will talk about NATURAL BEEKEEPING
and the strategies and issues facing
beekeepers who are keeping bees
without chemical interventions.

We will also talk some about
one of our favorite springtime activities:
CATCHING SWARMS!

April 4, 2011 at 7:00 pm
in the Fellowship Hall at
Groce United Methodist.

Groce UMC
is at 954 Tunnel Road in Asheville.
See the wncbees.org page for directions.

BCBC March Meeting

For our March meeting
we welcome our own Greg Rogers
of Haw Creek Honey.

Greg will share about
making nucs
and new methods of mite control.

March 7, 2011 at 7:00 pm
in the Fellowship Hall at
Groce United Methodist.

Groce UMC
is at 954 Tunnel Road in Asheville.
See the wncbees.org page for directions.

Sign up now for WNC Bee School

The WNC 2011 Beginners Bee School
Saturday/Sunday, March 12-13, 2011
Click here to register.

Folk Art Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 382, Asheville, NC
BEE SCHOOL HOURS: Saturday 9-4:30 Sunday 12-4:30
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Then mail $20 check to
Buncombe County Beekeepers, PO Box 785, Asheville, NC 28802

The WNC Center for Honeybee Research and the Buncombe County Beekeepers present this 2 day Introduction to Beekeeping. This will give you enough information to make thoughtful choices for your new hobby. Subjects covered include:
*what to do before you get your bees
* costs involved/equipment needed
* terminology, the language of beekeepers
* the colony as a Superorganism
* pollination and floral sources of nectar
* honey and other products of the hive
* keeping your hive healthy
* beekeepers’ chores by the season
* resources and where you can learn more

Invitation to Madison County Beekeepers meetings

Dr. Tarpy, Valentines and Bees
Come hear Dr. David Tarpy NCSU - Extension Entomology Program
at the Madison County Beekeepers meeting on February 14, 2011.
David Tarpy - NCSU, will share current research in NC and Southeast,
update on CCD & Africanized honeybees

This chapter usually meets on the third Monday of each month but Dr. Tarpy was scheduled 2 years ago! Come to the Madison County Cooperative Extension Service Center, 258 Carolina Lane Marshall, NC 28753 (ph. 828 649-2411).

Meetings typically begin with a pot-luck dinner at 6:00 pm followed by the program at 6:30 pm. "The supper will definitely be better than fighting the V-day crowds at the restaurants and St. Valentine was also the patron saint of beekeeping! Hope to see you there" says president, Jon Christie.


Madison County Beekeepers
Upcoming Meetings in 2011 (check back for updates and revisions)


February 14 (second Monday this month)

Dr. David Tarpy - NCSU, current research in NC and Southeast, update on CCD & Africanized honeybees

March 21

Lady Cerell, beekeeping trip to Italy

April 18

Phil Holbert, Spring management, preparing for honey flow.

May 16

Ed Buchanan – Master Beekeeper from Buncombe Co.

June 20

Carl Chesick, new WNC Center for Honeybee Research

July 18

Juliana Rangel - NCSU, swarming and supersedure behaviors, queen rearing (tentative)

August 15

Jack Hanel – regional NCDA bee inspector, season overview & preparing for winter

September 19

Steve Langfeld - Buncombe County Bee Club, pollen, allergies, honey and healing

October 17

Contests: best-tasting honey & honey-containing dish

November 21

Greg Rodgers – Haw Creek Honey, commercial beekeeping

Inclement Weather Policy for Buncombe County Beekeepers

If Buncombe County Schools are closed on the day of a scheduled meeting of BCBC, there will be no club meeting that night. 2 hour delays do not effect meeting times. Please do not contact the office of Groce Church for details about meeting times. Please check www.wncbees.org or call the Buncombe County Extension Office.

February BCBC Meeting

International Beekeeping

Join us February 7, 2011 at 7:00 pm
in the Fellowship Hall at
Groce United Methodist
for our next BCBC gathering.

We will have presentations
on beekeeping in France and Italy
as well as updates
on February in the bee yard.

Groce UMC
is at 954 Tunnel Road in Asheville.
See the wncbees.org page for directions.