Bluegrass Beekeepers

Zombie bees

2012-01-28T20:49:00.002-05:00

New Bee threat more hype than reality.

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/buzz-bees/2012/jan/17/new-bee-threat-more-media-hype-reality/

From Phil Craft Bee Craft, An electronic newsletter from Phil Craft, January 2012, Vol 2 300

2012-01-24T18:46:00.003-05:00

From Phil Craft Bee Craft January 2012 An electronic newsletter from Phil Craft, Kentucky State Apiarist, retired

My new webpage and beekeeping school updates
I’m happy to announce that my new webpage: http://philcrafthivecraft.com/ is up! More information follows regarding my new site and my plans for it in the future. Also in this issue, news about Kentucky beekeeping school updates. (Note: I'm having format issues with this issue of the newsletter, please bear with me.)

Development and birth of the webpage www.philcrafthivecraft.com
Since the announcement of my “retirement” in early January I have been overwhelmed by the response from beekeepers expressing their dismay, not only at my job loss, but also at the interruption in our communication and in the advice I have been providing the beekeeping community for many years. I don’t want a break in the dialogue either; it has been the most rewarding aspect of the work I have been doing for the last 12 years.

That is the genesis of my new webpage.http://philcrafthivecraft.com/ My goal for the site is to bring common sense, accurate advice to beekeepers, along with updates and other items of interest. The site will include beekeeping information sheets on various subjects which I will write to be downloadable by anyone. It will also have helpful links and a regularly maintained calendar of beekeeping educational events and meetings - initially concentrating on Kentucky and nearby states, but potentially growing to include a wider area if there is enough interest. Thanks to the urging and orchestration of my friend and webmaster Barry Richards, I will also make regular postings on the site’s main page in an online column to be called initially “Thoughts on Beekeeping from Phil Craft“. In this column I will, as I have in past newsletters, keep you abreast of what is happening in the ever changing world of beekeeping, give seasonal advice for both new and more experienced beekeepers, and possibly post questions and answers from emails that you send me. I‘ll also keep you posted on my speaking schedule and very likely ramble on with opinions which may not always be strictly confined to beekeeping.

I expect the webpage to evolve as we experiment with better ways to share information with visitors and as Barry pushes me to try new methods and technology. Don’t be surprised to see some reorganization and re-naming as we fine tune the site. And please, don’t stop emailing me with questions and posting comments to the webpage. As I said before, the dialogue I’ve had with beekeepers has been a great joy to me.

Eastern Kentucky Beekeeping School attracts over 100 participants!
This year’s Eastern Kentucky Beekeeping School came off without a hitch (that is to say without snow - last year’s school had to be cancelled due to a heavy snowfall) and close to 120 beekeepers, vendors, instructors and presenters clustered at the Hazard Community and Technical College for this year’s school. A good time and lots of beekeeping instruction were had by all. Thanks to Perry Amos and to Dr. Tammy Horn from Eastern Kentucky University’s Environmental Research Institute, the school featured a queen rearing track for the first time. Dr. Horn and Perry are planning an encore performance of the queen rearing classes at the Northeast
Beekeeping School in Morehead on February 25^th in Morehead.

I want to thank Charles May, Perry County Agriculture Extension agent, who did the lions share of the planning and logistical work for this school, along with other Eastern Kentucky Extension agents and personnel who assisted. Most of these schools would not happen if it were not for the efforts of the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University Extension Services.

For continued updates on upcoming beekeeping schools
For continued updates on upcoming beekeeping schools in Kentucky, head to the KY State Beekeepers Association webpage (you’ll also find a link for the site at my webpage). Information for all the schools can be found there (see the list below with included hyperlinks). Be aware that my old webpage at the Kentucky Dept. of Agriculture has not been updated since my “retirement” and I of course, am no longer able to update it. However, the KSBA webpage will be updated as more information about upcoming schools is available.

The next Kentucky beekeeping school will be the Allen County Beekeeping School in Scottsville. The program for that school, along with other information, has been posted on the KSBA webpage.

· February 4: Allen County Beekeeping School, Scottsville

· February 11: Southeast Beekeeping School, Stearns

· March 3: Audubon Bee School, Henderson

· March 10: Bluegrass Beekeeping School, Frankfort
Special guest speaker- Dr. Dewey Caron

Phil’s speaking schedule
One of the features of my new webpage will be the posting of my speaking schedule, along with my talk topics and additional details or links to the events. I look forward to seeing you at one of these events. I will be appearing and speaking, in some capacity, at all six of this year’s Kentucky beekeeping schools, as previously scheduled.

To have THIS NEW NEWSLETTER sent directly to you!
If you received this newsletter directly in an email from me, then you are on my email list. If someone has forwarded you this issue and you would like to have future issues emailed directly to you, you may sign up by clicking on the “Contact Phil” box on the upper right corner of my webpage (a message box will appear).

In addition to this newsletter, I sometimes send out special announcements and notices, some of these to beekeepers in a specific regional area, regarding events of a more local nature. So it is helpful to know where you live (town). And I’m always just interested in knowing more about you and your beekeeping activities, interests or future plans.

Note: A version of this newsletter more suitable for printing (Word or Adobe document) is available upon request. And I don’t mind if you make copies and distribute this newsletter.

Keep those smokers lit and your bee veils on!

Phil Craft, Kentucky State Apiarist, retired

PO Box 259
Wilmore, KY 40390

Email phil@philcraftbeecraft.com

Phil’s NEW webpage: http://philcrafthivecraft.com/

Kentucky State Beekeepers Association webpage: http://www.ksbabeekeeping.org

More on the state beekeeper

2012-01-23T17:12:00.002-05:00

"Kentucky beekeepers are abuzz about the firing of state apiarist Phil Craft."

http://www.kentucky.com/2012/01/22/2039154/firing-of-state-beekeeper-stings.html

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/01/22/2039154/firing-of-state-beekeeper-stings.html#storylink=cpy

Catch the buzz

2012-01-19T17:31:00.001-05:00

Partisan Ag Commissioner Fires Kentucky State Apiarist

Politics Comes To The Bee Hive

http://home.ezezine.com/1636/1636-2012.01.18.08.37.archive.html

Politics

2012-01-18T15:01:00.005-05:00

This is a quote from the link below. "Comer’s office says Kentucky isn’t eliminating the state’s beekeeping program—he just wants to appoint his own people to positions. But the dismissal of an experienced, nationally recognized and admired apiarist is raising eyebrows in the agricultural community."

http://www.wfpl.org/2012/01/17/state-beekeeper-fired-comer-plans-new-direction-for-office/

I would like to thank Phil Craft for all his work in helping beekeepers and promoting beekeeping education in the state of Kentucky for the last 12 years . I think his presence in the department of agriculture will be missed by all.

Correction

2012-01-14T09:51:00.002-05:00

The date for returning the form (the must be mailed by date) was incorrect when I first published the link. The changes have been made to correct this problem.

http://sites.google.com/site/bluegrassbeekeepers/2012-bluegrass-bee-school
/registration-form

Sorry if this caused any inconvenience.

Bee school pre registration form

2012-01-12T17:06:00.003-05:00

Here is a link to the 2012 Bluegrass beekeepers bee school preregistration form. At the bottom of the linked page you can download a copy of the form as a word or pdf file.
I will be posting more information as soon as it becomes available.

http://sites.google.com/site/bluegrassbeekeepers/2012-bluegrass-bee-school/registration-form

A newsletter from Phil Craft

2012-01-10T07:52:00.001-05:00

Phil Craft’s “NEW Beekeeping Newsletter” January 2012

An electronic newsletter from Phil Craft, Kentucky State Apiarist, retired

My retirement and upcoming Kentucky beekeeping schools
As many of you may have learned, as of January 3rd I became the Kentucky State Apiarist, retired. While I had contemplated retirement at some point, this early transition was the decision of the new Kentucky commissioner of agriculture. I’ll talk more about the transition and my retirement plans later in this newsletter, and provide my new contact information. However, the main content of this newsletter regards information on the six upcoming beekeeping schools, which will take place as in years past. The only difference is my inability to update the Kentucky Department of Agriculture webpage with information about the schools. I have no idea whether that page will stay up, however information will be available through the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association webpage at: http://www.ksbabeekeeping.org/

.

2012 Kentucky Regional Beekeeping Schools
Between January 21 and March 10, six regional, one-day beekeeping schools will once again be held in Kentucky. These schools all have multi-session classes with topics of interest for all levels of beekeeping experience, including beginner classes for the new beekeepers. Vendors displaying and selling beekeeping equipment will set up at all the schools.

For more information on these schools, including programs, pre-registration forms, directions, lists of vendors present, etc., go to the webpage of the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association. Please note that more information for each school will be posted as it is passed on to me. I’m including some details on some of the schools in this newsletter, especially the Hazard Beekeeping school which will take place in less than two weeks.

Eastern Kentucky Beekeeping School, Hazard – January 21, 2012
Allen County Beekeeping School, Scottsville – February 4, 2012
Southeast Kentucky Beekeeping School, Corbin – February 11, 2012
Northeast Kentucky Beekeeping School, Morehead – February 25, 2012
Audubon Beekeeping School, Henderson – March 2, 2012
Bluegrass Beekeeping School, Frankfort – March 10, 2012

Eastern Kentucky Beekeeping School, Hazard - January 21, 2012
The Eastern Kentucky Beekeeping School will again be held at the Hazard Community and Technical College. The college is located just east of Hazard off Kentucky route15 on One Community College Drive. This year the school will include both a beginner track of classes and a QUEEN REARING TRACK FOR ADVANCED BEEKEEPERS. In addition there will be many other classes of interest for beekeepers, including numerous hive management topics and sessions on producing value added products such as making beeswax candles and pollen trapping.

You can download the complete program and pre-registration form at the KSBA webpage. Pre-registration is not required, but it will save you $5 and help us with meal planning (pre-registration fee $20 or $25 at the door - includes lunch).

Bluegrass Beekeeping School, Frankfort (at KY State University) - March 10, 2012
While this school will not take place until March, I want to talk about it briefly to reassure everyone that it will take place as usual (some people have been concerned about this school due to my heavy involvement in school planning as the Kentucky State Apiarist) and to let everyone know that our special guest speaker this year will be Dr. Dewey Caron, Emeritus Professor of Entomology at the University of Delaware. Some of you know Dewey from his past appearances at the 2007 Heartland Apicultural Society Conference in Frankfort and the 2008 Eastern Apicultural Society Conference at Murray State University. Dr. Caron will give the opening talk at the bluegrass school this year and do two breakout talks. In Dr. Caron we have a presenter who will share with us extremely practical beekeeping information in a manner that is very dynamic. We are in for a treat! So mark your calendar for March 10th and make plans to be in Frankfort that day.

January Beekeeping Activities
This is the time of year Kentucky beekeepers move their beekeeping activities inside (for the most part - I have promised my wife I will clean up my beekeeping equipment junk pile outside this winter). This is, of course, a great time to repair old equipment and assemble and paint new woodenware. But we also need to start placing orders for package bees and queens. Suppliers are taking orders and it is on a first come first serve basis. This is especially true if you want queens or package bees in April; those early April dates will fill up fast. All the companies should have catalogs mailed out, if you have not received 2012 catalogs from vendors you might check their webpages to learn when they will be mailed or to request one if you are not on their mailing list.

My retirement transition and future plans
I was employed as the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s State Apiarist in 1999 by Commissioner Billy Ray Smith. This position was a non-merit or non-classified position, which means it had no protection from immediate dismissal, and continued employment was always at the pleasure of the current commissioner of agriculture. My services were continued by Commissioner Richie Farmer upon his election in 2004. On January 3rd, 2012 I was informed by letter that my services as the Kentucky State Apiarist were no longer required by the newly elected commissioner (who had taken office the day before).

My future plans?
My long term professional plans are not yet formulated and I’m not in any rush to seek future employment. However, I will continue, as much as possible, to provide information and assistance to beekeepers, especially Kentucky beekeepers - hence this newsletter. I always said that I had a great job, spending most of my work days talking with beekeepers on the telephone and via email, writing beekeeping articles, working one on one with beekeepers in their apiaries and attending beekeeping meetings. I had always hoped that upon retirement I could keep on doing many of the parts of the job that I most enjoyed. I still have that desire, so I will continue to produce a beekeeping newsletter, perhaps even on a more regular schedule than I did as state apiarist. After all, I just eliminated a two hour commute to and from the office. At this time I’m not sure what I will call the new newsletter, so watch for a new name on the next edition. (More on my email list below). I also have plans to create a NEW beekeeping information webpage which will contain even more information than my old webpage at KDA (I‘ll let you know when this webpage goes up, hopefully SOON, via email). Until the new webpage goes up I will use the KY State Beekeepers Assoc. webpage to keep beekeepers informed on upcoming beekeeping events, including the schools. Beekeepers can continue to ask me questions and request information at my new email address at philcraftbeekeeping@windstream.net. I hope you use this email address as you have my KDA email address in the past. I do plan to attend and speak at all of the 2012 beekeeping schools, as I have in the past, and hope to see many of you there. So I’m not gone, I’m just starting my reorientation flights!

To have THIS NEW NEWSLETTER sent directly to you!
If you received this newsletter directly from philcraftbeekeeping@windstream.net, then I already have your email address and have tentatively added you to my new newsletter email list. If someone has forwarded you this issue of my new newsletter and you would like to have future issues emailed directly to you, send me an email to the above email address. I organize my email list by name, so PLEASE sign your email list request with first and last name. Also, if you are a Kentucky beekeeper, I very much appreciate knowing where you live so I can pass along regional beekeeping information from time to time (such as local beekeeping meetings and activities), so PLEASE let me know the town where you reside or get your mail. (Any other information is optional, but I do enjoy knowing something about your beekeeping experience and just more about you). If you are not from Kentucky I need only your full name and home state; any other information is optional. (If you are not interested in receiving future emails from me also just let me know via email.)

Note: A version of this newsletter more suitable for printing (Word or Adobe document) is available upon request. And I don’t mind if you make copies and distribute this newsletter.

Keep those smokers lit and your bee veils on!

Phil Craft, Kentucky State Apiarist, retired
PO Box 259
Wilmore, KY 40390

Email philcraftbeekeeping@windstream.net

Kentucky State Beekeepers Association webpage: http://www.ksbabeekeeping.org

Fly parasite killing honeybees

2012-01-05T15:36:00.002-05:00

Here are two articles the first link is from Robert Ham.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45862883/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/fly-parasite-turns-honeybees-zom-bees/#.TwYJHfL4KNV

The second link is from Michael Walsh.

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/2012/01/03/zombie-fly-parasite-killing-honeybees/

Happy new year

2011-12-30T09:53:00.002-05:00

Here is something we can all look forward to.
This video link comes from Phyllis Guthrie.

http://www.kinfolkmag.com/journal/film-honey-harvest.html

Bees in Scottish Christmas customs

2011-12-19T22:14:00.002-05:00

From the Christmas customs archives.

There is an old belief that early on Christmas Morning all bees will leave their hives, swarm, and then return. Many old Scots tell tales of having witnessed this happening, though no-one can explain why. One explanation is that bees get curious about their surroundings, and if there is unexpected activity they will want to check it out to see if there is any danger. As people were often up and about on Christmas night observing various traditions, or just returning from the night services, the bees would sense the disturbance and come out to see what was going on.

Merry Christmas

2011 Bluegrass Beekeeper of the Year

2011-12-13T10:29:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Tommy Steele of Lexington, Kentucky!

Waggle dances and head butts

2011-12-09T22:07:00.002-05:00

Here is a link to a new study about how honeybees choose a new nest site.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45613986/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.TuLL3fLZeuI

Meeting reminder the next Bluegrass beekeepers meeting will be Monday December, 12

Tammy Horns new book "Beeconomy" is in the news

2011-12-05T20:58:00.003-05:00

“Beeconomy: What Women and Bees Can Teach Us about Local Trade and the Global Market."

http://www.kyforward.com/our-economy/2011/11/30/%E2%80%98beeconomy%E2%80%99-author-ky-s-tammy-horn-examines-relationship-between-women-bees/

Supermarket honey

2011-11-12T11:50:00.002-05:00

Her is another reason to buy and support local honey.

From the food safety news. Most store honey is not honey.

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/

Meeting reminder

2011-11-10T20:54:00.000-05:00

The next Bluegrass beekeepers meeting will be on Monday November, 14.

Death by pest or pesticide

2011-11-02T08:11:00.002-04:00

Using antibiotics could be a catch 22 for beekeepers. Here is an article about the possible dangers of some antibiotics.

http://theconversation.edu.au/death-by-pest-or-pesticide-antibiotic-dangers-trap-bees-in-a-catch-22-4114

Tammy Horn in the news

2011-10-26T19:42:00.002-04:00

Tammy Horn is releasing a new beekeeping book. Here is a link to the news story.

http://www.fox19.com/story/15803928/beekeepers-book-looks-at-women-in-the-field

I checked Amazon.com and it has not been released yet but it is available for pre-order.

Diesel and bee decline ?

2011-10-19T20:54:00.003-04:00

A study in England looking at diesel affecting bee's brains and navigation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15215693

Bees Working Buckwheat

2011-10-12T22:09:00.001-04:00

Feeding bees

2011-10-11T19:21:00.002-04:00

I have posted this before and thought it might help anyone who missed it the first time around to run it again.

http://beekeepersguild.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=49

http://www.beedata.com/data2/feeding_bees.html

Meeting reminder

2011-10-08T09:54:00.002-04:00

The next Bluegrass beekeepers meeting will be on Monday October, 10.

Bee culture

2011-09-30T21:18:00.002-04:00

Here are two links to Bee Culture magazines online website and blog by Kim Flottum.

http://www.beeculture.com/index.cfm

http://blog.beeculture.com/

Backwards beekeeping

2011-09-28T21:08:00.002-04:00

http://www.backwardsbeekeepers.com/2009/03/backwards-beekeepers-tv-episodes.html

Do it yourself plans

2011-09-18T19:45:00.003-04:00

From the Bee hive journal.

http://beehivejournal.blogspot.com/

Bee-autiful

2011-09-17T08:27:00.003-04:00

These pictures were sent to me last night and were taken on a Bourbon County farm. I'm guessing it was a swarm that couldn't find anywhere to go for a bit? If so, maybe that they are now gone means they've found a good home? I hope.

Meeting reminder

2011-09-09T19:25:00.002-04:00

Our next Bluegrass beekeepers meeting will be on Monday September 12.

Please remind your friends that we are now meeting on the second Monday for the next few months.

Interesting videos

2011-09-02T18:29:00.002-04:00

First let me remind every one that the next Bluegrass Beekeepers meeting will be held on September 12. We are not having the fish fry just our normal potluck. Please remind all your fellow members of the new meeting schedule since we have changed to the second Monday for the next few months

Here are some interesting videos from the Backwards Beekeepers in California.

http://www.backwardsbeekeepers.com/2009/03/backwards-beekeepers-tv-episodes.html

Equipment price reducsd

2011-08-23T17:03:00.000-04:00

!!! REDUCED !!! PRICES SLASHED FOR QUICK SALE !!! REDUCED !!!

$100 OR BEST OFFER!

1 pith helmet, very good

1 Dadant cotton/poly coverall, size S, very good

1 Dadant bee veil, zips to coverall, very good

1 Alexander bee veil, designed to be worn without a helmet, like new

1 bee veil, small hole in screening, serviceable

2 pairs leather bee gloves with canvas gauntlets, size L, fair (bit dried out)

1 Dadant smoker 4X7, serviceable

1 Kelley bee brush, very good

1 Kelley frame grip, old style, good

3 hive tools, fair

1 Mann Lake hive tool, brand new

1 tie down strap

1 division board feeder

1 bee escape board, triangle style

1 queen excluder, good

1 plastic super cart

2 bottom boards, 1 fair, 1 pretty beat up

3 inner covers, 1 screened, fair

2 telescoping hive covers, metal-clad, fair

and the following supers:

1 comb round section super, complete, never used but stored a long time, $35

1 5 3/8 super containing ten wooden frames with old dark comb

2 5" supers stapled together and containing 10 deep frames, 2 wooden with old dark comb, 8 plastic, some frames partly drawn

12 sheets of shallow foundation

Judy Moffett

Email address: HefnGafr@aol.com

Phone: 502-859-9887 (in Lawrenceburg)

Meeting dates have changed

2011-08-22T16:29:00.002-04:00

This is the first reminder that the bluegrass beekeepers meeting dates have been changed to the second Monday of the month the next meeting will be on Monday September, 12.
The gentleman who do the fish fry were not available so we will be having our regular potluck.

Beekeeping arround the world

2011-08-11T21:08:00.004-04:00

Bees help replace the poppy for some farmers in Afghanistan. From the Huffington post.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/09/afghanistan-poppy-beekeeping_n_922352.html

Beekeeping helps create opportunities in Zimbabwe.From allafrica.com

http://allafrica.com/stories/201108110979.html

Used equipment for sale

2011-08-08T17:30:00.002-04:00

Judy moffett sent me this email her contact information appears at the end of the list.

I'm moving to the Pennsylvania suburbs and can no longer keep the hope alive that I will someday need this equipment again myself. That being so, I would like to make it available for the use of others. Here's what I've got:

1 pith helmet, very good

1 Dadant cotton/poly coverall, size S, very good

1 Dadant bee veil, zips to coverall, very good

1 Alexander bee veil, designed to be worn without a helmet, like new

1 bee veil, small hole in screening, serviceable

2 pairs leather bee gloves with canvas gauntlets, size L, fair (bit dried out)

1 Dadant smoker 4X7, serviceable

1 Kelley bee brush, very good

1 Kelley frame grip, old style, good

3 hive tools, fair

1 Mann Lake hive tool, brand new

1 tie down strap

1 division board feeder

1 bee escape board, triangle style

1 queen excluder, good

1 plastic super cart

2 bottom boards, 1 fair, 1 pretty beat up

3 inner covers, 1 screened, fair

2 outer hive covers, metal-clad, fair

and the following supers:

1 comb round section super, complete, never used but stored a long time, $35

1 5 3/8 super containing ten wooden frames with old dark comb

2 5" supers stapled together and containing 10 deep frames, 2 wooden with old dark comb, 8 plastic, some frames partly drawn

12 sheets of shallow foundation

All this stuff has been stored for years, but in such a way that wax moth never got into it.

$250 for everything except the comb round section super, which I'll sell separately for $35 or throw it in with the rest for $25, for a total of $275. I live in Lawrenceburg; you will need to come pick the stuff up. Any questions, feel free to call or email. I can send pictures of anything you want to have a look at, and will consider selling some other things separately if nobody wants to clean up and buy the lot.

Email address: HefnGafr@aol.com

Phone: 502-859-9887

Thanks!

Judy Moffett

What's behind the problem of disappearing bees

2011-08-04T18:13:00.002-04:00

Here is another good PBS article'

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/07/disappearing-bees-progress-or-frustration-1.html

ccd 5 years later

2011-07-31T20:35:00.002-04:00

Here is an article on CCD from PBS news hour.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec11/bees_07-28.html

No meeting in August

2011-07-29T16:10:00.001-04:00

There is no Bluegrass beekeepers meeting in August.

China's bee-wearing contest

2011-07-18T19:42:00.002-04:00

Bee beards are one thing but I think this might be going a little to far.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14175993

Feeding bees

2011-07-12T20:42:00.002-04:00

I know we talk about this in the early spring and late fall but this season Reg and I are already having to feed some of our hives that did not get a good start.
Here is a good a article on feeding bees from the Beekeepers Guild of southeast Virginia.

http://beekeepersguild.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=49

Just a reminder the bluegrass fair honey judging is Saturday July, 16. More info at

http://ces.ca.uky.edu/fayette/MG

http://ces.ca.uky.edu/fayette-files/Horticulture/2011_Flower_Show_Fair_Schedule_Final.pdf

Meeting reminder

2011-07-01T21:59:00.001-04:00

The next Bluegrass beekeepers meeting will be Tuesday July, 5

Ky. State Fair

2011-06-28T21:42:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder if you plan to enter honey or any honey related projects the entry deadline is July, 1 . Here is a link to the Kentucky fair web site.

http://www.kystatefair.org/

The Great bee count

2011-06-28T07:06:00.002-04:00

Help make a difference in the health of bees.

http://www.yourgardenshow.com/news4

http://www.yourgardenshow.com/citizen-science/great-sunflower-project

Honey Competition at the Bluegrass Fair?

2011-06-20T17:15:00.002-04:00

I think the Bluegrass Beekeepers discussed helping start a honey competition at the Bluegrass Fair this year? I was just wondering if there is more info, i.e. guidelines, schedule, etc.? I didn't see anything in the Ag section of the BG fair...that might be a good place for info (http://www.lionsclubbluegrassfair.com/). Thanks!

Winter loss survey

2011-06-15T07:24:00.002-04:00

What the latest winter loss survey tells us about CCD.
From the Daily Green.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/bees/2011-honey-bee-winter-loss-survey

New research on viruses and cell phones

2011-06-09T19:19:00.002-04:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43318715/ns/technology_and_science-science/

http://www.sandiego.com/news/cell-phones-and-honeybees-new-study-suggests-a-connection

2011 beeschool pictures

2011-06-09T07:40:00.002-04:00

Here is the link to the bee school pictures and slide show that we watched at the last meeting.

http://relivit.com/serv02/bgbee/

A special thanks to Robert Ham for putting this all together.

Meeting reminder

2011-06-03T09:38:00.002-04:00

The next Bluegrass beekeepers meeting will be Tuesday June, 7th

KSBA Summer field day

2011-06-01T07:31:00.003-04:00

2011 Kentucky State Beekeepers Assoc. Summer Field Day

Date: June 4, 2011 (Saturday)

Location: Clarkson, KY - At the Walter T. Kelley Company
807 West Main Street, Clarkson

More info at

http://www.ksbabeekeeping.org/

Bee informed partnership

2011-05-19T08:24:00.002-04:00

The Bee Informed Partnership is an extension project that endeavors to decrease the number of managed honey bee colonies that die over the winter.

Link

http://beeinformed.org/

Larry to the rescue!

2011-05-09T08:39:00.002-04:00

Larry Blandford armed with a box cutter and two cardboard boxes saves the day in downtown Lexington. Read the whole story at the link below.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42951874/ns/local_news-lexington_ky/

Swarm season

2011-05-05T20:39:00.002-04:00

Robert Wells sent this link about catching swarms. At the end of this video are a lot more swarm capture videos listed on the right side of page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0FAiOB9MzIY

Meeting reminder

2011-04-30T14:17:00.001-04:00

The next Bluegrass beekeepers meeting will be Tuesday May, 3

Arbor day 2011

2011-04-28T19:11:00.002-04:00

Renewing your community forest Saturday April, 30, 10 am - 2 pm.

The Bluegrass beekeepers will have a booth where will be answering question and handing out honey filled candy. Come and join the fun.

More high tech beekeeping

2011-04-25T21:14:00.002-04:00

From Discovery news.

Beehackers bring cheap widgets to a beekeepers.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/beekeepers-bring-cheap-widgets-110425.html

Popular Science article.

http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2011-04/bee-hackers-aim-monitor-hives-health-unconventional-tools

Direct link to Beehacker site.

http://www.beehacker.com/wp/

High tech beekeeping

2011-04-15T21:01:00.002-04:00

Students develop "mobile app" for android phones that helps keep track of hives.

http://www.news.appstate.edu/2011/04/14/mobile-app-beekeepers/

This link is to" Hive tracks " a free online application for keeping detailed records about all your hives.

https://www.hivetracks.com/Default.aspx

Bees "entomb" contaminated pollen and the 3 P- principle

2011-04-09T09:35:00.003-04:00

This is an article about research done by Dr Jeffrey Pettis, head of the Bee Research Laboratory of the US Department of Agriculture.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/study-reveals-how-bees-reject-toxic-pesticides-2262451.html

Kentucky state fair

2011-04-06T10:06:00.002-04:00

Her are the State fair links Reg asked me to post.

Kentucky state fair web site.
http://www.kystatefair.org/home/default.aspx

Rules and classes for honey.
http://www.kystatefair.org/entries/premiumbook/beeshoney.pdf

Kentucky Stat Fair entry form ( Deadline July 1, 2011)
http://www.kystatefair.org/entries/premiumbook/generalentryform.pdf

Honeybee safe garden sprays

2011-04-03T07:33:00.002-04:00

This article on Honeybee safe pesticides was sent in by Phyllis Guthrie.

http://www.northcoastgardening.com/2010/05/honeybee-safe-pesticides/

Meeting reminder

2011-04-01T10:03:00.002-04:00

The next Bluegrass Beekeepers meeting will be April 5. Hope to see everyone there.

More bees, more honey. higher prices

2011-03-24T10:01:00.002-04:00

Here is an article about a USDA honey report for 2010.

http://www.startribune.com/business/116961113.html

Beekeeping publications for beginers

2011-03-21T19:56:00.000-04:00

These are links that I got at the Bluegrass beekeeping school

Tom Webster A guide for beginning beekeepers
http://www.kyagr.com/statevet/bees/documents/KYBeekeepingGuideforBeginnersTWebsterREV2007.pdf

University of Alabama
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0135/ANR-0135.pdf

University Tennessee
http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/pbfiles/PB1745.pdf

Barry Richards
http://hivetool.com/guide/index.htm

Urban beekeeping arround the world

2011-03-20T07:01:00.003-04:00

It looks like the buzz about beekeeping is world wide.

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20110317-33797.html

2011 Bluegrass Beekeeping School March 12.

2011-03-08T09:53:00.004-05:00

This is the final information from Phil Craft on the finished program for the 2011 Bee school it is posted on his web site at the link below

http://www.kyagr.com/statevet/bees/bee%20schools/KYBeeSchoolFrankfort.htm

Phil also included the following information about other beekeeping related events in Frankfort on March 12, that are not a part of the Bluegrass Beekeeping school and are not being held at Kentucky State. For more information on these events check out the link in the following paragraph or look at the March 4th posting on this site.

"In addition to the Bluegrass Beekeeping School, there will be two other beekeeping events in Frankfort that day. The Capital City Beekeepers Assoc. will host a “beekeepers equipment swap” from 3:00-6:00PM at 100 Capital Ave. in Frankfort. And there will be a showing of the film “Vanishing of the Bees” at 7:30PM at the Grand Theatre, 308 St. Clair Street in Frankfort. Information for both of these events can be found at: http://www.kyagr.com/statevet/bees/documents/CCBAeventsMarch2011Flyer.pdf (Note these two events are not part of the Bluegrass Beekeeping School program and ARE NOT being held at KY State University.)"

2011-03-04T20:58:00.001-05:00

click on image to enlarge

2011 Bluegrass beekeepers bee schoo class descriptions and schedule

2011-03-03T09:51:00.003-05:00

Here is a link to the 2011 bee school class descriptions and class schedule. The link says 2010 but it will send you to the 2011 page,

http://sites.google.com/site/bluegrassbeekeepers/2010-bluegrass-bee-school/class-descriptions

http://sites.google.com/site/bluegrassbeekeepers/2010-bluegrass-bee-school/schedule-of-classes

links from Mar. 1st. meeting

2011-03-02T21:01:00.003-05:00

Keith Delaplane – installing a package of honey bees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivqCYOud0ME

Phil Craft Ky. state apiarist web site

http://www.kyagr.com/statevet/bees/index.htm

Smartphones for bees

2011-02-27T07:49:00.002-05:00

My beehive just called and said you should check out this article.

http://wirelessfederation.com/news/35853-smartphones-may-help-prevent-bee-hive-collapses/

Meeting reminder

2011-02-26T08:56:00.003-05:00

The next Bluegrass Beekeepers meeting will be on Tuesday March 1

Vanishing of the bees free movie

2011-02-19T22:46:00.001-05:00

Click on image to enlarge

2011 Bluegrass beekeepers School List of classes

2011-02-11T09:43:00.003-05:00

2011 Bluegrass beekeeping school - List of classes

Classes in red are being offered for the first time in 2011

(As of February 1, 2011)

1. Into talk TBA – Dr. Diana Sammataro

(Plus Dr. Sammataro will give 2 presentations in the breakout sessions)

2. Beginning Beekeeping, Part 1 – John Pace

3. Beginning Beekeeping, Part 2 – Chris Smith

4. Beginning Beekeeping, Part 3 - TBA

5. Beginning Beekeeping, Part 4 Chris Smith

6. Basic Queen Rearing - Gordon Vernon

7. Beekeeping on the internet - Barry Richards

8. Beekeeping with children - Katherine & Ruth White

9. Controlling swarming – Kent Williams

10. Competing in honey shows and the KY State Fair Bees & Honey Department – Randy Ison

11. Cultivating Flavor, cooking with honey – Chef Jim Whaley

12. Extracting & processing honey: what you need to know – Suzanne Doerrfeld

13. Honey plants – Dr. Randolph Richards

14. How to set up & manage a 2 Queen system - Rick Sutton

15. Making beeswax candles - Gordon Vernon

16. Making hand creams, salves, lip balm, etc. -

17. Making nucs for colony increase - Nick Nickels

18. Marketing honey and other products from the hive - Nick Nickels

19. Observation Hives: At Home or in Public Places - Barry Richards

20. Pollen trapping, processing, storage and sale – Harris Overholt

21. Profitable beekeeping – Dr. Sid Dasgupta

22. Removing bee from trees & structures - Fritz Vorisek

23. SHB Control - Kent Williams

24. Top Bar Hives - Tiffany Gillespie

25. Urban beekeeping – Carrie VanWinkle

26. Honey bee pheromones - John Pace

27. Giving honey bee talks to the public (including children) – Margaret Reid

28. Making creamed honey – Paul & Betsy Stone

29. Building a diversified beekeeping business – Paul & Betsy Stone

30. TBA – Dr. Ray McDonnell

31. TBA – Dr. Tom Webster

Solar powered bee hives and top bar hive online course

2011-02-10T20:02:00.003-05:00

I thought this sounded interesting.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/solar-powered-bee-hives.php

Top bar hive beekeeping online course.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/learn-top-bar-hive-beekeeping.php

Vanishing of the bees

2011-02-03T17:54:00.002-05:00

Click on image to enlarge.

Neonicotinoid pesticides

2011-01-31T09:06:00.002-05:00

This is an article sent in By Keith Green,

http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1808&category=Environment

Meeting reminder

2011-01-28T05:51:00.001-05:00

The next Bluegrass beekeepers meeting will be held on Feb. 1st.

7 causes of colony collapse disorder

2011-01-22T09:30:00.002-05:00

From the Daily Green.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/bees/colony-collapse-disorder-causes-0118

Vanishing of the Bees

2011-01-21T07:26:00.002-05:00

Free movie

When: Thursday, February 24, 5 and 7:30 pm
Where: Kentucky Theatre, Downtown Lexington
Fee: FREE

More information

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=gtmjfsbab&v=001QORyCDlYxyuT43DCT6iFpMKtzUSZs1XNp1GMjuIXlYpWWH8ObkrBVkN9CI2_Hp_VgaGqcGa9BIOiE8r82d-qzB68IxxfqtCitoWVLBB_eKKyBlmNiVmL9cnHscMgFUE_

2011 Bluegrassbeekeepers Bee School

2011-01-15T16:08:00.003-05:00

March 12^th 2011 - Bluegrass Beekeeping School, Frankfort

On March 12, 2011, the Bluegrass Beekeeping School will be held at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. Last year’s program at the same location was attended by over 400 beekeepers from more than fifty Kentucky counties and several surrounding states.

This year, speakers will include Dr. Tom Webster - KY State University, Dr. Ray McDonnell – Somerset Community College London Campus, Mike Studer – Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture’s State Apiarist, Kent Williams - former president of the Kentucky Beekeepers Association and the Eastern Apicultural Society, Gordon Vernon – Kentucky beekeeper & queen producer, and others.

We will also have a special guest speaker from out of state. An announcement on this speaker will follow soon. There will talks on various aspects of hive management, conducting beekeeping businesses, alternative products from the hive such as candle making, making lotions and hand bars, and pollen collection and processing. Watch the webpage of the KY Dept of Agriculture’s State Apiarist for program updates.

Dr. Tom Webster will once again coordinate the beginner's track of classes for the new or novice beekeeper. If you are a new beekeeper, or a beekeeper-2-bee, the beginning track of classes is where you want to bee. A certificate for a free package of honeybees and a complete hive will be given away to a new beekeeper in the beginners’ course.

A vendor tradeshow will be part of the school, with the Walter B. Kelley Company & the Dadant & Sons Company, and others, selling supplies, taking orders (including orders for package bees for spring delivery or pickup), as well as displaying beekeeping equipment.

Registration will begin at 8:00 AM in the lobby of Bradford Hall at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, However, pre-registration is suggested. A pre-registration form may be downloaded from the State Apiarist’s webpage which also contains the most up to date information on the program. The website is http://www.kyagr.com/statevet/bees/. There is a pre-registration fee of $20 per person (there are also discounts for family & school age youth). At the door, the registration fee will be $25 per person.

And as always, there will be lots of door prizes, including a package of bees for spring pickup.

Phil Craft, State Apiarist

Kentucky Department of Agriculture

100 Fair Oaks, Suite 252

Frankfort, KY 40601

E-mail: phil.craft@ky.gov

Phone: (502)564-3956

Web page: http://www.kyagr.com/statevet/bees/index.htm

A preregistration form is also available at

http://sites.google.com/site/bluegrassbeekeepers/2010-bluegrass-bee-school/registration-form

Bee viruses spread via flower pollen

2011-01-02T07:47:00.002-05:00

This article from National Geographic.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/12/101229-bees-collapse-viruses-animals-science/

Reminder the Bluegrass beekeepers do not have a meeting in January.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T08:14:00.002-05:00

Here are three stories to last you through the holidays.

varroa mites

http://www.iol.co.za/scitech/science/environment/scientists-wage-war-on-varroa-mites-1.1004957

CCD

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/101217.htm

Bee schools

http://www.kentucky.com/2010/12/21/1574890/beekeeping-schools-offered-in.html

Happy Holidays

Sleepy bees

2010-12-14T21:16:00.003-05:00

From Discover magazine (blog) sleep studies done on bees,

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/12/14/proved-by-science-sleepy-bees-are-sloppy-dancers/

Urban beekeeping

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

Here is a link sent in by Chris Westover.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/09/garden/09Bees.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

2010 Beekeeper Of The Year

2010-12-07T22:38:00.001-05:00

Stella Martin of Cynthiana, Kentucky.

Meeting reminder

2010-12-04T08:23:00.002-05:00

The next bluegrass beekeepers meeting will be Tuesday December 7.

Please remember the no perishable food donations for Gods pantry.

The mystery of the red bees

2010-12-02T19:16:00.002-05:00

Just when I needed a bee story James Kolasa sent me one from the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/nyregion/30bigcity.html?_r=1

Bee jokes

2010-12-02T09:55:00.002-05:00

Nothing new in bee news so here is another joke.

Here's an old one that most recently appeared in Scientific American:

A fellow dropped by to see his friend, the beekeeper.
On the way in, he passed a pig in the yard. The pig looked fine, except it had one wooden leg.
The friend asked his beekeeper buddy about this.
"We had an accident last month in the shop. A bunch of wax caught on fire. We'd have lost everything, except the pig came running up to the house, squealing and squealing to get our attention. We were able to put the fire out."
The friend didn't understand how this had anything to do with the pig having a wooden leg.
"Oh, Yea," the beekeeper continued, "Well, you know, a pig that good you don't eat all at once!"

From beekeepers home page.

Fighting to save the bees

2010-11-25T20:41:00.002-05:00

Here is an article on CCD with a lot of embedded links that lead to more information about what is going on with this problem.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/11/colony-collapse-disorder-bees-retrospective.php

Bee jokes

2010-11-15T10:12:00.001-05:00

A beekeeper decided it was time to finish his schooling, so he signed up for classes at the community college.
First day in math class. Professor says, "Some of you may be feeling a little dumb. Don't be intimidated. If anyone here feels especially dumb, please stand up."
No one stood up. After a long pause, the beekeeper stood. Alone.
"Fine," said the professor. "You're feeling a little overwhelmed, a little dumb?"
"Not exactly," said the beekeeper, "But I hate to see you standing all alone."

From Feb. 1999 beekeepers home page.

Helping stop illegal honey

2010-11-13T07:34:00.002-05:00

The "True Source Honey program is designed to certify the origin, food safety and purity of the honey being distributed and consumed within North America".

Here is a link for the news story I found and a link directly to the True source honey website.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/true-source-honey-will-launch-certification-program-to-help-stem-the-tide-of-illegal-honey-107545528.html

http://www.truesourcehoney.com/

Solar wax melter

2010-11-10T07:38:00.002-05:00

Thanks to everyone for attending the November meeting. Here is the link to the video we watched and a few more ideas for a do it yourself solar wax melter.

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1dY-fObwvM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdPVa0i6kMg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V92kyZvpfBM&feature=related

Building plans

http://www.beesource.com/build-it-yourself/solar-wax-melter/

Guard bees

2010-11-07T08:40:00.006-05:00

Here is a link to an article about a new way bees can help people


Beekeeping project keeps away elephants

Meeting reminder

2010-11-06T17:36:00.002-04:00

The next Bluegrass Beekeepers meeting will be Tuesday November 9.

We will be voting on beekeeper of the year so have someone in mind you think is deserving of the award.

KY State Beekeepers Assoc. meeting on Saturday (in Morehead) KY

2010-11-04T08:44:00.002-04:00

The KY State Beekeepers Assoc. fall meeting is on Saturday – Nov. 6th in Morehead.
For directions and more information here is a link to the K.S.B.A. web site.

http://www.ksbabeekeeping.org/

November meeting date change reminder

2010-10-31T09:02:00.003-04:00

The November Beekeepers meeting will not be held on the first Tuesday it will be held on Nov. 9.

Smart bees

2010-10-27T20:03:00.002-04:00

Bees can solve complex mathematical problems.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/oct/24/bees-route-finding-problems

Bee jokes

2010-10-25T20:05:00.002-04:00

I have not found any news lately so here is a joke instead.

Beekeepers are cheap - mostly because we don't make much money. So when Ron, the beekeeper, needed to see the dentist, he was shocked that it would cost fifty dollars to get a tooth pulled.
"Fifty dollars for five minutes work," the beekeeper said.
"Well," said the dentist, "If you like, I can pull the tooth very slowly."

From The beekeepers homepage

Honey bee preservation

2010-10-16T08:07:00.002-04:00

The foundation for the preservation of the honey bee.

http://honeybeepreservation.org/

Propolis reciepes

2010-10-10T21:27:00.002-04:00

Here are some how to sites for making propolis products.

http://4tupelohoney.tripod.com/honey/propolis.htm

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~reute001/htm-files/Propolis%20extract.html

Colony collapse news

2010-10-07T18:22:00.002-04:00

Here are a couple of articles on the new findings about CCD.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/bees/colony-collapse-disorder-cause-1007

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/10/virus-fungus-combo-may-contribute-to-honeybee-die-off.html

Educational oppurtunities

2010-09-30T18:05:00.002-04:00

Here is a link to the University of Minnesota Extension "The Bee Lab".

http://www.extension.umn.edu/honeybees/

Don't forget the next meeting is Tuesday Oct. 5

Next Meeting

2010-09-28T20:32:00.002-04:00

The next Bluegrassbeekeepers meeting is Tuesday October 5th.

Here is an interesting link with a lot to explore.

http://www.squidoo.com/apiary#module1520775

Bee Pastures

2010-09-21T08:32:00.002-04:00

Wildflowers to Help in the Production of Healthy Young Bees.

http://www.abfnet.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=109

I found the bee pasture article while keeping up with our friend Lisa Schluttenhofer the American Honey Queen who was in the news again.

http://www.therecordherald.com/features/x191996944/American-Honey-Queen-Lisa-Schluttenhofer-shares-knowledge-of-honeybees-and-beekeeping-with-students

Moon plant

2010-09-18T20:07:00.004-04:00

These pictures of bees working a Moon plant (Jimsonweed) flower were sent in by Michael Walsh

Click on picture to enlarge.