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.

Ring in the New Year With BCBC

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!!

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

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