WNC Bees News

February 2012 BCBC Meeting

2012-01-27T09:35:00.005-05:00

The Year in Bees

The featured topic
at the Buncombe County Beekeepers meeting:
Exploring the seasons
and the year
from the bees and beekeepers' perspectives.

Plus, discussion of "This Month in the Hive."

Join us February 6 at 7:00 pm
at Groce United Methodist Church
at 954 Tunnel Rd in Asheville, NC.
Come early at 6:30 for informal mentoring,
conversations about your bees,
opportunity to talk to other beekeepers.

January Pollen Mystery

2012-01-24T13:22:00.004-05:00

Well, it is a gorgeous day out here in Spring Creek and I'm so happy to see the sun after so much cloudy weather. Around noon today I headed into the bee yard to check on the girls. I was thrilled to see many bees bringing in pollen! A beautiful light beige pollen in late January...and I wondered; skunk cabbage, willow...what? As I watched them with a great deal of joy, I noticed that the pollen looked almost the color of white pine - and then it hit me. I'm a woodworker and just yesterday I emptied out my dust collector. As I walked over to the sawdust pile, my heart sank...here were over a hundred bees busily working the dust. Ugh. Anyone know anything about the nutritional qualities of sawdust...I would think 'nothing' but hope at the very least it is not harmful to them.

2012-01-14T20:13:00.003-05:00

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.

No January BCBC Meeting

2011-12-28T11:20:00.002-05:00

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'

2011-12-14T12:47:00.003-05:00

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

2011-11-29T15:32:00.003-05:00

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

2011-11-28T15:29:00.001-05:00

Hi-tech beehive

2011-11-08T13:02:00.003-05:00

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!

2011-11-08T07:35:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-05T15:44:00.002-04:00

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

2011-11-05T14:58:00.007-04:00

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

2011-10-22T19:30:00.004-04:00

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!

2011-10-17T07:29:00.003-04:00

Beekeeping Classes from Beehealing.org

2011-10-03T19:49:00.002-04:00

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

2011-10-02T19:38:00.004-04:00

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

2011-09-28T19:54:00.002-04:00

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

2011-09-05T20:35:00.003-04:00

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

2011-08-29T18:40:00.002-04:00

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...

2011-08-15T09:05:00.006-04:00

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

2011-08-11T09:29:00.003-04:00

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

2011-08-10T17:58:00.002-04:00

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

2011-08-04T09:04:00.004-04:00

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!!

2011-07-26T12:33:00.002-04:00

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

2011-07-18T19:26:00.005-04:00

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

2011-07-07T18:24:00.006-04:00

**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

2011-07-02T09:07:00.001-04:00

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

2011-06-24T07:10:00.003-04:00

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.

2011-06-16T20:50:00.003-04:00

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

2011-06-16T07:39:00.005-04:00

For more information click here!

Top Bar Hive & Song

2011-06-07T17:43:00.004-04:00

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

2011-05-19T08:26:00.003-04:00

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

2011-04-28T07:40:00.002-04:00

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

2011-03-29T12:11:00.004-04:00

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

2011-02-28T21:03:00.002-05:00

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

2011-02-13T18:30:00.003-05:00

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

2011-02-13T14:55:00.003-05:00

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

2011-02-04T15:29:00.003-05:00

February BCBC Meeting

2011-01-29T17:04:00.003-05:00

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.

Ring in the New Year With BCBC

2010-12-23T20:48:00.002-05:00

Mark your calendars now
for our first
Buncombe County Beekeepers
meeting of 2011!

Eric Brown will be our speaker,
discussing "Natural Comb and Making and Using Nucs."

January 3, 2011
at Groce United Methodist Church
in Asheville.

BEGINNER BEE SCHOOL in Buncombe County this Spring!!

2010-12-18T13:17:00.000-05:00

BEGINNER BEE SCHOOL in Buncombe County this Spring. It will take place Saturday and Sunday, March 12 &13 at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway - details to be announced as they become available.

There are plans to offer paid "hands-on workshops" as a follow-up for those interested. This weekend follows the Organic Growers School and the NCSBA convention in Dallas NC by one week.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T09:10:00.005-05:00

As I think back on my life, during this Thanksgiving season, I am thankful and blessed to have been a part of a wonderful group. That group is the Buncombe County beekeepers specifically, but the world of beekeepers generally. Had I not been a part of this group I would not have met some of my dearest friends. I know you each know who you are, and I am not going to try to name you all because I would not want to slight anyone by forgetting to name anyone on this rather large list. Just know you have each blessed my life.

I am thankful to have been a small part of the amazing bee schools we have carried out and the huge success they have been. I am thankful to have been a member of a chapter that was honored with the title of chapter of the year. I am thankful to have been your vice-president and president(thank you Janet for believing in me). I am thankful to have been in leadership while we welcomed the implementation of possibly the best beekeeping web site in the world (thank you DeForrest). I am thankful to have had a hand in the morphing of our bee school into the WNC Center for Honeybee Research (thank you Carl) I am thankful to have been asked to serve as a director for WNC with the NCSBA. I am thankful to have been asked to serve on the NC Honey Board (thank you Jeanne and Charles). I am thankful for the wonderful place we have to meet (thank you Steve). I am thankful to have been able to listen to all the wisdom and knowledge of our many experienced beekeepers in the area. (thanks to Edd, Greg, Dave, Carl, Jack, Mike and many more too numerous to name.) I am thankful to know such a talented bunch of people. Last but not least, I am thankful to have such fantastic people in extension and at NCSU. How could I not be thankful for Jack Hanel, Dr. David Tarpy and our own (new mother) Amanda Stone.

Sometimes it seemed I was a hindrance to the progress each of you were trying to make and sometimes I must have annoyed you by harping on things I wanted to see done. In spite of us all, with our own busy schedules, we have done some really great things. Thank you each for your support, efforts and expertise in the wonderful accomplishments made by the Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter. I look forward to the new season with fresh new leaders and I must admit, I am very positive in what I see. We all have so much to be thankful for, especially from our bees. Please reflect on all of this and go forth in the new year to work together and do your part in making a real and continued difference in the world of beekeeping.

Happy Thanksgiving

Past President BCBC

Calvin Robinson

New Movie: "Queen of the Sun"

2010-10-31T10:09:00.002-04:00

From the director of The Real Dirt on Farmer John comes a profound, alternative look at the tragic global bee crisis. Juxtaposing the catastrophic disappearance of bees with the mysterious world of the beehive, Queen of the Sun weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heart-felt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world. Featuring Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana Shiva, Queen of the Sun reveals both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.

Queen of the Sun is not yet available on DVD for personal use. We are however taking requests for community screenings and theatrical screenings. Please sign-up for our newsletter and we will notify you when the DVD Is available next summer. If you have thoughts about an event or theatrical screening, please contact us.

See queenofthesun.com for details of reviews, awards, screenings elsewhere.

Colony Collapse in the news

2010-10-31T09:58:00.003-04:00

"Is the Reason for Bees Dying in Colony Collapse Disorder Finally Solved?"Posted By Dr. Mercola | October 29 2010
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a disease which causes honeybees to become disoriented and die far from their hives, has kept scientists desperately seeking for the cause.

And no wonder, since honeybees contribute $15 billion in annual agriculture revenue to the U.S. economy alone.

One suggested culprit has been pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, which kill insects by attacking their nervous systems. Their leading manufacturer, Bayer Crop Science, has been fending off lawsuits from angry beekeepers for years now. But recently, a front-page New York Times article pointed to another solution.

Running under the headline "Scientists and Soldiers Solve a Bee Mystery," the article reports that a new study claims the cause is actually "a fungus tag-teaming with a virus."

However, one fact that the Times article did not mention is the relationship between the study's lead author, Dr. Jerry Bromenshenk, and Bayer Crop Science. Bromenshenk has received a significant research grant from Bayer -- and failed to disclose the conflict of interest to the Times.

Fortune reports:

"The Times reporter who authored the recent article, Kirk Johnson, responded in an e-mail that Dr. Bromenshenk 'did not volunteer his funding sources.' ... Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist with the health group at the Natural Resources Defense Council, says that while the Bromenshenk/Army study is interesting, it fails to ask the underlying question 'Why are colonies dying?'"

Dr. Mercola comments:
In the last four years, up to 40 percent of U.S. bee colonies have been destroyed at the hands of "colony collapse disorder," (CCD) a mysterious malady that causes bees to become disoriented, not return to their hives, and ultimately die.

There is currently a grueling debate over what may be causing CCD, and there are more theories than there are answers. Genetically modified foods, pesticides, corn syrup used for feeding, cell phones, viruses, and fungus have all been pinpointed as potential causes.

One of these, neonicotinoids pesticides manufactured by Bayer, has received particular heat because the agents are known neurotoxins that kill insects by attacking their nervous systems, and lawsuits against Bayer from beekeepers are ongoing.

But in a new study reported by the New York Times, it's suggested that military scientists and entomologists have come up with another potential answer, one that has nothing to do with Bayer's pesticides: a combination of fungus and virus, found in all collapsed colonies, may be the culprit, they say.

The new theory provides some interesting fodder to an already complex problem … especially since Fortune Magazine revealed a massive conflict of interest by the study's lead author.

Lead Author Received Money from Bayer
Bayer was undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief when the New York Times blasted the news across its headline that the bee mystery had been solved … and the culprit had nothing to do with pesticides.

But the findings took on a new light when Fortune Magazine revealed that Montana bee researcher Dr. Jerry Bromenshenk, the study's lead author, has "received a significant research grant from Bayer to study bee pollination."

Even more suspicious, Bromenshenk was reportedly all set to serve as an expert witness in 2003 for beekeepers involved in a class-action lawsuit against Bayer. He dropped out without explanation, however, and subsequently received the grant from Bayer.

Bromenshenk also owns a company, Bee Alert Technology, that is developing hand-held scanners designed to detect bee ailments. His company would therefore profit nicely if a disease, such as a virus, was found to be causing CCD rather than a pesticide.

So the latest study that suggests a virus/fungus combination is killing off bees is by no means the final word on the subject.

Dr. Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist with the health group at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), pointed out in Fortune Magazine that the study has not addressed why colonies are dying, such as if they're dying because they're getting weak.

She likened the issue to people who die of HIV not from the actual virus but because their immune defenses are down. It could be, then, that pesticides or another factor are weakening the bees and making them susceptible to viruses, fungus or a combination of factors that ultimately kills them.

Bayer Pesticides Long Implicated in Colony Collapse Disorder
Two of Bayer's best-selling pesticides, Imidacloprid and Clothianidin, are known to get into pollen and nectar, and can damage beneficial insects such as bees. The marketing of these drugs also coincided with the occurrence of large-scale bee deaths in many European countries and the United States.

The non-profit group NRDC filed a lawsuit in August 2008 to force the U.S. government to release the studies it ordered on the effect of clothianidin on honeybees.

NRDC attorneys believed the EPA already had evidence of a link between pesticides and the mass honeybee die-offs, yet was not making the information public. NRDC is now being allowed to look through the studies.

There is some information already publicly available, though, and that's the EPA's fact sheet on clothianidin. It says right there in black and white that:

"Clothianidin has the potential for toxic chronic exposure to honey bees, as well as other nontarget pollinators, through the translocation of clothianidin residues in nectar and pollen … In honey bees, the effects of this toxic chronic exposure may include lethal and/or sub-lethal effects in the larvae and reproductive effects on the queen."

Unfortunately, the EPA approved neonicotinoid pesticides on the basis that the amounts found in pollen and nectar are not enough to kill bees. This says nothing of their potential to impact the bees on a non-lethal level, and, in fact, studies have shown that the substances can impair bees' learning and memory even at low doses.

France, meanwhile, after reporting large losses of bees after exposure to Imidacloprid, banned it for use on corn and sunflowers, despite protests by Bayer. In another smart move, France also rejected Bayer´s application for Clothianidin, and other countries, such as Italy, have banned certain neonicotinoids as well.

The Cell Phone Connection: Are EMFs Killing Bees?
Despite the research pointing to a virus, a fungus or a pesticide as the most likely suspects in CCD, it's hard to ignore the research from at least two studies that point to cell phones and electromagnetic fields (EMF) as major threats.

When cellular phones were placed near hives, the radiation generated by them (900-1,800 MHz) was enough to prevent bees from returning to them, according to a study conducted at Landau University.

Scientists believe the radiation produced by cellular phones may be enough to interfere with the way bees communicate with their hives. Cellular phones may create a resonance effect that interferes with the movement patterns bees use as a kind of language.

Most recently, experiments by Sainuddeen Pattazhy, a researcher and dean in the department of zoology at SN College, Punalur, Kerala, also found that microwaves from mobile phones appear to interfere with worker bees' navigation skills.

When Pattazhy placed mobile phones near beehives, the hives collapsed completely in five to 10 days. The worker bees failed to return home and vanished, never to be found. Adding to the mystery, parasites, wildlife and other bees, which would normally raid the abandoned hives, would not go near the collapsed colonies. Pattazhy said in The Pioneer:

"The navigation skill of the worker bees is dependent on the earth's magnetic properties. The electro-magnetic waves emitted by the mobile phones and relay towers interfere with the earth's magnetism, resulting in the loss of the navigation capacity of the bee. Then it fails to come back.

Also, the radiation causes damage to the nervous system of the bee and it becomes unable to fly."

So cell phones appear to be another likely threat to bees around the globe, and there may be a cumulative effect going on that is making it more and more difficult for bees to survive, let alone thrive.

Disappearing Honeybees an Ecological Emergency
When most people think of honeybees, they think honey. But honey is only a sliver of what bees are used for in the United States. Honeybees are critical components of U.S. agriculture, used to pollinate nuts, fruits and vegetables. The California almond crop alone requires 1.3 million colonies of bees, and bees actually add an estimated $15 billion in value to crops like these.

A full one-third of the U.S. food supply depends on pollination from bees. Apple orchards, for instance, require one colony of bees per acre to be adequately pollinated. So if bee colonies continue to be devastated by colony collapse disorder -- or whatever is causing them to die -- major food shortages could result.

It is therefore of crucial importance that studies looking into the true causes of CCD are unbiased and conducted with only the strictest of scientific integrity. Unfortunately, it does not appear that this is happening.

As for whether or not Bayer's pesticides will ultimately be named as the primary cause remains to be seen … but this is a company that has a history of giving children HIV-infected drugs, putting their workers' lives in danger by exposing them to toxic chemicals that cause organ damage, and continuing to produce unsafe products.

So I don't think they will be given the all clear anytime soon. There are other
compelling potential causes, too.

Most likely it is a combination of man-made factors that are causing honeybees to die, and this should serve as a major warning sign that society as a whole had better start respecting the laws of nature, or major environmental and health catastrophes could result.

North Carolina Bee-Breeding Clinic in Waynesville, NC

2010-10-09T19:24:00.009-04:00

Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter members Debra Roberts, Carl Chesick and Lee Banks were fortunate selectees to attend the Born and Bred in North Carolina: Bee-Breeding Clinic held in Waynesville, NC on October 8 - 9, 2010! They were among the 15 participants who were selected out of 80 applicants to attend this advanced training.

Topics covered in the clinic included a review of the History of Commercial Queen Production, Honey Bee Genetics, Selective Breeding, Controlled Mating and Stocks of Honey Bees. The clinic also included a demonstration of Instrumental Insemination and featured a hands-on exercise demonstrating Selection for Desirable Traits in Honey Bees.

The students received valuable information from David Tarpy and Juliana Rangel from North Carolina State University. The information provided was advanced in nature but was presented in a clear and understandable format. Thanks David and Juliana for all you do to educate us in how to better care for our bees!

A very special thanks to Haywood County Extension Agent Bill Skelton and the Haywood County Beekeepers Chapter for their warm hospitality!

NC Honey Standards Committee

2010-09-12T21:23:00.004-04:00

The NC Honey Standards Committee of the NC State Beekeepers Association was invited to the governor's mansion in Raleigh NC on Wednesday September 8th 2010. During this visit, the committee met at the NC Farmer's Market restaurant for lunch and a brief meeting. Then we all headed to the governor's mansion for a meeting with Commissioner of Agriculture Troxler and Governor Purdue. We had opportunity to explore the grounds of the governor's mansion grounds as well as take photos of the governor's beehives, the beautiful grounds and the house.

The governor came out to meet us all and we had a photo with her before she pronounced September as Honey Month in NC. This whole event was also to recognize and announce the existence of the new honey standard in NC. This new standard has been adopted by the agriculture department and press releases have gone out. It allows for regulation within the existing NC agriculture laws and will allow enforcement to stop selling of adulterated honey in NC as well as honey sold as sourwood when it is actually some other type of honey. More will be forth coming on the regulation of this standard.

Personally, I took advantage of this opportunity to take my daughter, Mackenzie, to NC State University for a tour. I am proud to announce she is VERY interested in attending there like her dad did. Mackenzie was very excited to meet the governor and also to take in the NC Museum of Natural History. WHEW! What a day! The photo shows Commissioner Troxler, Governor Purdue and Mackenzie as well as others at the event.

Did you know that September is National Honey Month?

2010-09-10T09:59:00.010-04:00

Celebrate by buying honey from your local beekeepers. Here in Buncombe County you can find local honey at our farmers’ markets (http://buyappalachian.org) and at Earthfare and Greenlife.

You can become a beekeeper yourself and produce your own honey!
Check out these beekeeping resources on Buncombe County Beekeeper’s website: http://wncbees.org/ReferenceDocs.cfm and also on Cooperative Extension’s Growing Small Farms website: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/beekeeping.html

Visit the NC State Beekeepers’ Association website to find a local beekeepers’ chapter: www.ncbeekeepers.org

Here’s the web page for our Buncombe County Beekeepers’ Chapter: www.wncbees.org
Also, plant a pollinator garden to help provide nectar (and pollen) for our honey bees! Learn more at http://wncbees.org/ReferenceDocs.cfm and http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/chathammills.html

Hug your local beekeeper!

2010 Terra Madre

2010-09-10T09:40:00.000-04:00

One of our very own beekeepers, Lady Cerelli was one of the eight people in our region chosen to attend the 2010 Terra Madre in Italy this October. The five-day meeting will bring together food communities, cooks, academics, youth and musicians from all over the world, who are united in a desire to promote sustainable local food production in harmony with the environment while respecting knowledge handed down over the generations. While attending the conference, Lady will have the opportunity to tour bee yards in Italy with a 30 year beekeeper. She will also be visiting with the Entomology Department's Apiary Program. Terra Madre will be paying for Lady's conference registration, but not her travel to the event. Lady needs our help! On Septmeber 18, Slow Food Asheville will be hosting a Terra Madre fundraiser entitled "Mountain Fire" dinner. This fundraiser will be held at Sunswept Farm Conservancy in Spring Creek, Madison County and will include a scratch-made, home-grown, gourmet feast as well as a silent auction of fine, local products and services. Event collaborator, Chef Mark Rosenstein, who founded The Market Place restaurant and has been dedicated to local, seasonal ingredients for the entirety of his 40-year professional cooking career, has designed the menu to be a medieval fantasy of fire-kissed offerings including Slow Roasted Porcetta,Chargrilled Chicken, Woodfired Breads, Riot of Fall Salad, Woodfire baked Ratatouille, Sicilian Cannoli, and Rustic Apple Tarts. The cost for this event is $45

More details of the event can be found here: http://www.jeweloftheblueridge.com/SLowFoodTerraMadreEvent.htm

Buy tickets in advance here http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/125156

To donate for the auction or to volunteer event help, please email MountainFire@charter.net.

We will need volunteers on the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Please inquire about free or reduced ticket prices in exchange for volunteering.

2010-09-05T20:42:00.002-04:00

Hands on Beginner Beekeeping Workshop, September 12th, Call Jon Christie @ 828-689-4095 or visit www.wildmountainbees.com for details

Flowering Seasons for Western North Carolina Honey and Pollen Sources

2010-08-22T20:27:00.003-04:00

The Flowering Chart for WNC plants put together by Edd, Chris, and John has been added to our website's Reference page at http://www.wncbees.org/referencedocs.cfm . This excellent guide shows typical blooming dates for honey nectar plants and seasons of special consideration by beekeepers. Many thanks to these dedicated beekeepers for assembling this great resource!

Don Hopkins in wax

2010-08-02T23:59:00.003-04:00

One of the wax entries at the NCSBA was a wax figure of a mans head. No one seemed to notice the striking resemblance to Don Hopkins, until I made mention of it. Then Jack Hanel took the wax figure over next to Don and well, we all got a big laugh. I just had to pass it along.

NCSDA meeting

2010-08-01T13:56:00.005-04:00

I had a great bee week during the week of the 4th of July. I started the week off by speaking at the monthly meeting of the Watauga County Beekeepers Chapter. I spoke to the group about non-chemical beekeeping and using natural comb. The talk was well received and I am pleased at the response I am getting about this program across the state. I have presented the program at Forsyth Co, Madison Co, Haywood Co, Burke Co, the NCSBA 2009 summer meeting and am scheduled to speak on it at the August Henderson Co and September Davie Co meetings. I am proud that Buncombe County has sort of taken a lead in going this direction in beekeeping.

After leaving Boone, I ended up in Asheboro NC, where I visited the NC Zoo. The reason for this visit was to see the Honeybee Garden that the NCSBA so strongly supports. My first impression was that the exhibit is nice, but not worth 1 million dollars. I actually stated, "this is a nice exhibit for about $100,000.00". I later learned the planned 1 million dollar exhibit was scaled down to $180,000.00. This made me feel much better about it. The exhibit is a very well done work that will draw the attention of the public and educate them about honeybees. Maybe it will spur them to find out more at our meetings.

I then headed to Salisbury for the 2010 summer NCSBA meeting. The meeting was actually in China Grove. I am proud to announce that I received the Master Beekeeper Medallion for Deb Roberts there. I also took the long put off written test to become a Master Beekeeper myself. The meeting produced one really great item. We voted to adopt a honey standard in NC and passed that on to the NC department of agriculture for tweaking prior to implementation. I am on the committee to oversee this process. Soon we will have legal recourse for those people that sell honey as sourwood honey when it is not and for those that do such things as mix corn syrup with their honey. I was also elected as a director for NCSBA and will join Steve in representing Western NC.

Hope to see you all at the meeting Monday August 2nd where I will hopefully be presenting Deb with her Master Beekeeper Medallion. At any rate, those of you who have never seen one of these medallions can see one first hand.

Buncombe County Beekeepers Meeting- Monday Night

2010-07-30T15:48:00.007-04:00

You are invited!! Monday, August 2 the Buncombe County Beekeepers will be having their monthly club meeting. The meeting begins at 7:00pm and goes until about 9:00pm. Come at 6:30pm and have the opportunity to talk with experienced beekeepers. Monday night's topics include: Preparing your honey for entry in the Mountain State Fair, Report from the State Meeting and What you should be doing in your hive. For directions to the meeting visit Buncombe County Beekeepers Chapter.

NC Mountain State Fair