NCW Beekeepers Meeting Minutes for September18, 2016
Upcoming Events Calendar
Oct. 5 Bee chat 6 p.m., El Agave
Oct. 16 Business/education meeting, 5 p.m. PUD auditorium – honey tasting: bring samples and toothpicks
Nov. 12 Mead class – $100 cleaning charge, information on charge for kits, etc. TBA
Treasurer: Checking account $1586.14; education/outreach (savings) account $1128.49
Leavenworth Farmers Market did several hundred dollars worth of honey each time
Bulk equipment order: Wayne will see if supplier can provide jars at a good price, send out email order form with costs of all items. Order to be completed soon, exact date depending on transportation.
Website needs work and should include swarm information. (Fewer swarms than usual this year.)
A suggestion was made that a committee of experienced beekeepers be formed for mentoring new beekeepers. This would be a service opportunity for journeyman candidates.
There will probably be an apprentice class in March. There are currently changes in the certifying organization, so the details of this class are currently in flux.
Educational Program panel moderated by Al Zalewski, included Emilka Furmanczyk, Craig Genereux, Steve Olsen, and Deb Stansbery. Seasonal topics will be considered.
Timing of honey removal: All agreed that harvest should end sometime in August to allow varroa control and feeding to build up honey stores.
Pest control considered mainly varroa. Apivar, HopGard and oxalic acid are all being used, frequently in rotation to prevent resistance (although so far resistance has not been reported with oxalic acid). Deb uses no chemicals but increases hive humidity to control mites. Keeping track of mite number and treating before infestation peaks was stressed. Counts can be made using a sprayed bottom board or with alcohol sacrifice of bees (can send to WSU for report of varroa count plus other diseases.
Wax moths continue to be a manageable problem, and a few hive beetles have been seen.
Show of hands indicated strong support for continuing this kind of program. Al will continue to organize a variety of members and topics in future meetings. Members interested in being on the panel in the future should talk with Al.
Additions and corrections cheerfully accepted.
NCW Beekeepers Meeting for August 21, 2016
Sept. 1 Leavenworth Farmers Market 4-8 p.m.
Sept. 5 Fair set-up
Sept. 7 Check in honey, photos, etc. 3-8 p.m.
Sept. 8 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.), 9 (9-9), 10 (9-10) -11 (9-5), Boswell bldg; need a ticket to get in;
can exhibit but not sell honey (but could get a blue ribbon…)
Sept. 2-25 Puyallup fair. Entries required online by August 28, received at the fair by 8/31.
Sept. 18 Business/education meeting, PUD, 5 p.m.
Oct. 5 Bee chat 6 p.m., location TBA (El Agave?)
Oct. 16 Business/education meeting, 5 p.m. PUD auditorium
Treasurer: Checking account $1731.14; education/outreach (savings) account $1128.49
Leavenworth Farmers Market: last chance Sept. 1 Honey selling well, especially if samples are offered. Please bring some honey to sell, and feel free to sign up to help with the booth.
Bulk equipment order: Wayne will send out email with costs sometime in the next month. There will be about a month to place orders. Parts aiming to arrive in November.
Motion for NCW Beekeepers to pay fair admission for members working 5 hours or more was passed.
WA State Beekeepers Master Beekeeper program has had some turnover recently. Not sure what this means for the spring class.
Considerable interest in having another mead class in the fall. Kits and supplies will be available. Participants should bring honey, about a quart per gallon.. A Saturday in November is preferred.
NCW Beekeepers official annual meeting will be in January, at which time changes can be made to the bylaws. There will also be election of officers. Bring ideas for bylaws changes to meetings for discussion before the annual meeting. Consider running for one of the officer positions.
Stan Peak showed a cage to capture queens from queen cells. With some experience it appears to be quite effective keeping virgin queens safe in the same hive, before moving them to their own mating nucs with some additional bee/honey/brood resources.
Possible problem of orchard spray getting into honey was discussed. Two suggestions were made to minimize the possibility: not putting honey supers onto hives before the main (early spring) spraying season is over, and asking orchardist to spray at night when bees are in hive. Remember, with honey, there is no Organic designation due to the variety of compounds bees come in contact with during their potentially long flights.
NCW Beekeepers Meeting, July 17, 2016
July 21: Leavenworth Farmers Market, 4-8pm, Lions Club Park, Leavenworth – Get honey to Steve a.s.a.p. if you want to sell!
July 24: Apiary visit, 2-5 p.m., Peter Hill 1501 Apollo Pl, Wenatchee
Aug. 11: Bee Chat, 6pm, Pizza’n’More, East Wenatchee
Aug. 11: Leavenworth Farmers Market, 4-8 p.m., Lions Club Park, Leavenworth
Aug. 13: Apiary visit, noon, Katrina Keppler 3090 Scenic View, Wenatchee (Sleepy Hollow area)
Aug. 21: Business/education meeting, 5 p.m., PUD Auditorium, Wenatchee
Sept. 1: Leavenworth Farmers Market, 4-8 p.m., Lions Club Park, Leavenworth
Sept. 5: Fair set-up
Sept. 7: Check in honey, photos, etc.
Sept. 8 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.), 9 (9-9), 10 (9-10) -11 (9-5): Boswell bldg; need 2 beekeepers at a time, 3-4 hour blocks, need a ticket to get in; can exhibit but not sell honey (but could get a blue ribbon…), exhibitors get a cheap ticket
Sept. 10: Simply Living farms tour, Leavenworth – presenter requested
Sept. 18: Business/education meeting, PUD, 5 p.m., PUD Auditorium, Wenatchee
Minutes of last meeting were approved.
Treasurer: Checking account $22210.65; education/outreach account $903.64 after costs of seminar paid
Leavenworth Farmers Market: Steve reported about $120 of honey sold, both pints and quarts
Website and hive inspection form: no progress to report. Discussion suggests that highly varied systems of record keeping among members may make use of a uniform form difficult. Will likely need to survey folks at some point in time to collect information from whatever format of notes they have kept.
Pollinator symposium was considered a success despite relatively small attendance. Scheduling at a different time of year was discussed, as was whether we are aiming at fellow beekeepers or at the general public.
State fair in Puyallup is interested in having us participate. Categories and criteria can be found on-line. Drivers are available for drop off and pickup. Booth staffing help requested. Staffing the state bee/honey booth for a couple hours will get some free admissions to the fair. Exhibitors must register their entry online before dropping it off. Details at www.thefair.com
Another bulk equipment order was considered. Wayne will contact Western Bee to find if any particular time of year would be best for them to fill orders quickly.
Katrina Keppler reported on the WSU course she attended. Of note, varrroa treatment is most effective during brood break, October or November for us. The WSU lab that tests bees for mites, nosema, etc. is very fussy about samples being exactly according to their rules. (And most of the alcohol should be emptied before sending to avoid postal problems.) Samples of bees with many diseases were available during the WSU Field Days event for inspection. Queen rearing was discussed in context of the WSU class.
NCW Beekeepers Meeting Minutes, Initial draft
June 26, 2016
July 9 Pollinator Seminar, PUD Auditorium, 12:30-5:00, no snacks provided but can
bring your own; potluck to follow at Crilly’s for club members
July 16 Apiary visit at Kristin Taylor’s, morning
July 17 Business/education meeting, PUD auditorium, 5:00 p.m.
Aug. 11Bee Chat, Pizza’n’More, East Wenatchee (same parking lot as Country Inn)
Aug. 13 Apiary visit, Peter & Daryn, morning
Aug. 21Business/education meeting, PUD, 5 p.m.
Sept. 8th (9 a.m.-9 p.m.), 9th (9 a.m.-9 p.m.), 10th (9 a.m.-10 p.m.) , and 11th (9 a.m.-5 p.m., extractor demo @ 2:30), Boswell
bldg; need 2 beekeepers at a time, 3-4 hour blocks, need a ticket to get in; can
exhibit but not sell honey (but could get a blue ribbon…)
Sept. 10 Simply Living farms tour,, Leavenworth – presenter requested
Minutes of last meeting (5/22/2016) were approved.
Treasurer: Checking account $2539.72; education/outreach account $1182.12 with cost of
Leavenworth farmers market dates are June 30, July 21, August 11 and September 1; some
members needed for outreach; setup at 3:30, stay until 8 p.m.; to sell honey if not
attending, get it (labeled and priced) to Steve ahead of time
Website and hive inspection form: no progress to report
Peter continues working to establish apiary as part of WSU/Master Gardener demonstration area.
There is clear interest, and this would be the only county extension with a demonstration apiary. A detailed business plan is required, and contact being sought with an experienced person.
Member directory with photos (as that of Master Gardeners) was suggested.
Steve noted that this is the season of swarms; supers with waxed frames and a little honey are recommended. A second super can be added either above or below the first super. And think about varroa mites.
Don Rolfs was recommended as speaker on native pollinators. It was noted that he has concerns about honeybees, so appropriate preparatons should be made.
Alix noted that July is field season and a difficult time to get speakers; she suggested another time of year for future symposia.
Attendees at the WSU course and Swedish meeting plan to make presentations at future meetings.
NCW Beekeepers Meeting
May 22, 2016
June 9 Bee chat, Louie’s (Leavenworth), 6 p.m.
June 26 Business/Education meeting, PUD auditorium, 5 p.m.
July 9 Seminar, PUD Auditorium, times TBA
Treasurer: Checking account $2494.72 with cost of banner and Leavenworth farmers market
registration anticipated; education/outreach account $1652.91 with $900 for registration
fees for WSU course anticipated; July seminar expected to cost $6-700.
July seminar: plan to start early afternoon; probable topics genetics, hive inspection, and
something from Douglas county extension; potluck to follow
Leavenworth farmers market dates are June 23, July 14, August 4 and August 28; some
members needed for outreach; setup about 3 or 3:30, stay until 8 p.m.;can sell honey –
get it to Steve ahead of time
Banner: A cellphone photo of proposed banner was circulated.
Fair planning: Boswell building was inspected and space we prefer identified
Chelan beekeeping ordinance: Kriss is communicating with a council member
Apiary visits discussed; Kristin (rural, Peshastin) and Daryn (urban, Wenatchee) volunteered
to host with dates to be determined.
Noted that local availability of beekeeping equipment has increased. Costco kit includes full hive, jacket, gloves, etc. Coastal carrying more general equipment including unfinished hives.
Noted that orchardists occasionally have failure of commercial beekeepers to provide bees timely as promised, which is a financial disaster. It was agreed that the Club might be able to provide bees from a future demo apiary or connect club members with orchardists for small scale needs. This would require contract protecting bees from harmful spray as well as considering possible liabilities.
May 2 Journeymen, WokAbout Grill, 6 p.m.
May 12 Bee chat, Milepost 111, 6 p.m.
May 22 New beekeeper hour, Cashmere Fairground, Boswell Bldg., 4 p.m.
May 22 Business/Education meeting, Fairground, Boswell Bldg., 5 p.m.
June 26 Business/Education meeting, Wenatchee PUD Auditorium, 5 p.m.
Treasurer: Savings/outreach $1582.65 with $900 committed for Pullman course fees + about
$800 for July seminar; checking account $2450.72 Suggestion: support FFA/4H bee programs, start local queen-rearing program
Membership now 104
74 packages, 65 nucs + Susan Curtis ordered/delivered this spring
Leavenworth farmers market would like to have beekeepers sell honey there. It was agreed to do so once a month. Steve will coordinate. Beekeepers are to bring honey packaged for sale and appropriately labelled, with prices and business cards to the biz/ed meeting prior. At least one beekeeper will need to run the booth (setup, staff, cleanup) from 4-8pm on a Thursday. First time probably first market in June. $60 approved for table fee for 4 market appearances.
Extractor now with Alice. Rental for 2-3 days $25 + $100 damage deposit. Broken lid reported; Steve and Daryn to explore repair.
Earth day events at Chelan and Leavenworth reported successful. New canopy weights by Wayne!!
Website: Problems navigating present site reported; this may mainly need updating/”tinkering.” Steve and officers exploring alternative systems. Wide gradation of computer proficiency among members is apparent and will need to be accommodated with any new system.
Banner/s for our booth discussed. Wayne will arrange for banner for display inside booth.
Possibility of screening directly onto front of canopy to be explored; Katrina may have alternative. $200 approved to cover both.
Common hive record system was considered. Steve, Debra and Stan will explore a mechanism to be simple enough to bring enough data together in a reasonable way. May be paper, may be online, etc.
March 25th: Deadline for ordering packages and nucs
April 4th: Journeyman meeting for tests #3-5, Wok About Grill, 6pm.
April 14th: Bee Chat at South in Pybus Market, 6pm
April 16th: Chelan Earth Day, all day, Wayne Ranne to coordinate. A few more helpers would be welcome!
April 24th: Leavenworth Earth Day, noon to 4 p.m., Lions Park, Deborah Stansbury to coordinate, more details to come via email
Mid April – Probable date for bee package delivery
May 12th: Tentative Bee Chat at Milepost 111 in Cashmere, 6pm
June 17-18th: WSU beekeeping short course in Pullman, WA
June 19th: WSU queen rearing course in Pullman, WA
July 9th: Bee/pollinator seminar led by WSU graduate students, location Chelan County PUD Auditorium in Wenatchee
The meeting started with a presentation from the Wenatchee High School FFA “Issues” team. They are exploring issues around urban beekeeping and need to give some presentations of many sides of the issues to various community groups this year. After their presentation, we had some Q&A with the panel.
We approved last month’s minutes as written/posted. Motion by Mike Schenck, second by Bryan Keppler, unanimous approval.
The treasurer report listed the following current accounts and expenses:
Savings Account: $1582.28
Checking Account: $2456.29
Left to deposit: $312
Feb. 21 Beecome 16 . . . . $254 for Alix Whitener
March 1 Secretary of State $30 We are now a non-profit
March 1 Commercial Printing $37.98 for 10 Apprentice Booklets
March 2 Commercial Printing $47.64 for 250 Swarm Postcards
March 5 Amazon – Bee Books $170
March 6 Full body mannequin $55
March 6 Chelan Earth Day Booth $15
March 10 WASBA membership $91
Additional for about $70 to pay for some of the mead class supplies, and $50 for stamps, copies, and other business expenses.
Many thanks to Janice Ranne for some delightful snacks this month!
There was a brief reminder to get paperwork in for package/nuc orders ASAP. Deadline is the 25th, and supplies may be limited. Providers are running low on bees, but there are still some available for our club. We have around 100 packages/nucs ordered so far.
There was also a brief reminder to register your hives with the state Dept of Ag. That registration deadline is coming up quickly. Funds generated go to WSU for nosema research.
The apprentice class is now complete, and had about 16 students work through the class. There is a good group of new beekeepers in the club, so be sure to introduce yourself to them.
The July 9th seminar day is gathering some structure. Alix is the one organizing it from the WSU side. Looks like some students will take a van out from WSU for the weekend. The PUD auditorium is reserved for setup on the 8th and all day on the 9th. There will be a pot luck afterwards. The event will be open to the public, and likely free of charge thanks to our education/outreach funds. If you are interested in helping, Alix and Kriss could use a few folks to help with planning, setup, and cleanup.
Peter Hill reported additional consideration of coordinating with the WSU Tree Fruit Research Center in many ways. With some similar goals between the club and WSU, there may be some opportunities for a more permanent demonstration apiary, instruction, equipment storage, public outreach, Master Gardeners interaction, etc. Peter and a few others will continue to push forward to figure out where the club and WSU can work together in the future. If you are interested in helping, contact Peter.
Steve Olsen agreed to coordinate a new beekeeper hour of Q&A and maybe some general topics. Details of how/when this will work will follow as we coordinate with the Journeyman group and new beekeepers.
Leavenworth Farmers Market is looking to have the NCWBA staff a booth and/or sell honey at some of their 2016 markets (Thursday nights, 4-8pm). Some members of the club expressed interest in staffing a booth and selling their individual jars of honey. We will need to has out some of the details with the market staff before it starts in June. Steve Foley will be taking point on this, so contact him if you are interested in being involved.
The officers of the club have been kicking around the idea of leveraging some online website services to bring the club management into one place. Member lists, emails, web information, forums, documentation, etc. are currently spread out in many systems. Growth in the club is straining the processes from a few years ago, and the officers would like to see the club be easier to manage and easier for the members to interact with it and each other online as desired. There seemed significant interest among the membership in having the officers test out some systems and present a potential solution at a future meeting. Cost for web services would likely be in the $20/mo range, but hasnt been determined solidly yet.
For the good of the order:
Wayne Ranne gave a brief recap of the WSBA-announced webinar with Dr Mark Winston hosted online by the Mount Baker Beekeepers Association on March 16th.
Wayne expressed thanks to Steve Olsen, Beth Hammerberg, and the Schencks for making the bulk equipment order of over $3000 and 1800 lbs happen so smoothly. They are all very happy with the quality and price of what we received. There are loose plans to make another order in the fall, so keep track of what you might want throughout the season, and we can organize again later in the year.
3-10 Bee Chat: Last one at Bob’s was successful, but Bob’s prefers Wednesday to Thursday. Place for March to be determined and communicated on email. 6 p.m.
Journeyman group make-up session will meet after Chat.
3-20 Business/Education meeting at PUD at 5 p.m.
3-5, 12 & 19 Apprentice class, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Leavenworth PUD A few places still available
3-25 Deadline for ordering packages and nucs
3-11, 12 & 13 Beecome 2016, major European meeting. NCWBees funding registration for Alix Whitener, who is already in Sweden, and will present information to us at a later meeting.
7-9 Bee/pollinator seminar led by WSU graduate students, location TBA
4-16 Chelan Earth Day, all day, Wayne Ranne to coordinate
4-24 Leavenworth Earth Day, noon to 4 p.m., Lions Park, Deborah Stansbury to coordinate
Introductions of members present and report of hive survival/loss. It appears there has been major loss this winter.
A poll of survival compared to source (Charles vs. Ruben vs. Sunrise) and type (package vs. nuc) showed no apparent pattern. Varoa treatment appears to have been helpful. The possibility that insecticide on nursery plants may have been damaging was considered unlikely.
Treasurer’s Report Balance in general fund is still approximate as dues are still coming in but is about $2000. The education/outreach fund had about $800 remaining. Columbia Marketing contributed another $1000. This will fund three going to the WSU program, about $200 worth of books, and some equipment for our high school student. Preparation of a “honey basket” for Columbia Marketing was approved.
Reminder to register hives with the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Kris reported that paperwork has been submitted to register NCWBees as a non-profit organization. Cost is $30 first year, $10 per year thereafter with renewal due March 1 (after election of officers for the year).
Peter Hill reported preliminary consideration of developing a demonstration apiary, possibly as part of the WSU campus, possibly in cooperation with WSU Master Gardeners. Any interested in pursuing this should contact Peter, Daryn or Kris.
NCW Beekeepers Meeting
January 24, 2016
Coming Events & Deadlines
Additions and corrections cheerfully accepted.
NCWBA Biz/ED Meeting
Business & Education
March 22, 2015
Chelan PUD 5 pm
BEE Biz/Ed meeting (PUD BLDG), April 26, 2015 at 5PM with beginner beekeepers/any members with questions meeting at 4:30pm;
BEE CHAT: April 9, 6pm at El Agavé
CHELAN EARTH DAY: April 18, 9am – 4pm Riverfront Park
LEAVENWORTH EARTH DAY: April 19, 12 noon – 4pm Lion’s Club Park
BEE PICKUPS: The following dates are estimates. Al will provide the final dates when he has them.
Sunrise: April 3 or 4
Outdoor Bees: around April 18
Shafer’s: TBD, around the 3rd weekend of April
Members decided that the BEE CHAT will remain at El Agavé Restaurant for the April 9th BEE CHAT. Kriss will check on other locations with no charge meeting rooms.
Jessica and Emilka conducted a hive building session on 21 March using commercial components; several members participated.
Deb brought delicious honey-peanut butter treats.
Before each Biz/Ed meeting, volunteers will be available at 4:30pm to 5:00pm to answer questions from new beekeepers. For future Biz Ed, members suggested that demonstrations and education include the best times and preparation needed for different seasons and phases of beekeeping. Al volunteered to demonstrate making candy boards and hive handles. He also suggested a discussion on the costs of beekeeping. Kriss reported that the honey extractor is available for 2-day rental for $25 and includes use of associated tools.
Emilka suggested a June barbeque for educational demonstrations. Kriss reported that she hoped to organize a July barbeque to include a guest speaker from the WSU agriculture department.
Bee Suppliers: Al reported that only 2 bee suppliers are now available: Outdoor Bees and Shafer’s. Jeff O’Brien reported that he will bring the Sunrise bees from Yakima to the Crilly’s house on April 3 or 4. Outdoor Bees (Ruben) will deliver his nucs on about April 18, at the north end of town in the parking lot near Gateway Theater. Shafer’s will soon report their time of bee delivery.
Wenatchee city ordinance progress: Daryn reported that while the city of Wenatchee is determined to create an ordinance regarding beekeeping within city limits this year, he and Peter H. continue to do all the work of researching other city and community ordinances for Wenatchee, in order to present a potential ordinance model to the city. Leavenworth does not allow beekeeping within the city limits; Cashmere would like the club’s assistance in ordinance preparation; the Master Gardeners are interested in helping with research; Rep. Hawkins suggested the WA state council of cities might provide some models. Daryn and Peter welcome others to help. Call Daryn. Hives need to be registered with the state WSDA by April 1, 2015. The cost of registering is nominal.
Logo items: Kriss passed around the baseball-style hat displaying the agreed upon logo. The logo can be placed on different hat styles and different shirt styles, such as t-shirts and polo shirts. Members can go to GPA Embroidery at 22 N. Wenatchee Ave. to purchase logo items, pricing dependent on the style of hat or shirt chosen.
Treasurer’s report: GPA Embroidery charged $95 to set up the logo for the hats and shirts. Kriss will order shirts for sale at events. Members have ordered 150 nucs and packages of bees, with a few more orders placed at the end of the meeting. Some members wrote checks to the NCWBA rather than to the individual bee providers so those checks had to be processed through the bank account. The club currently has $1200 in the bank. Because the Apprentice class for this year was full but new members still wanted the information, Kriss and Steve will order a box of the Apprentice booklets and sell them for $10 each.
Volunteers are urgently needed to attend the booth at the Chelan (April 18) and Leavenworth (April 19) Earth Days. Wayne volunteered for the Leavenworth event. Please volunteer to come and sit with the posters and handouts. Call Kriss or Steve.
The club needs to purchase a sun shade for use in outdoor outreach events. Kriss reported that the Chelan Earth Day committee has specific requirements for the size of the sun shade and for safely securing the shade to avoid movement on windy days. Deb said the shade can be secured with cement blocks, 5 gallon cans of water, and pvc pipe filled with cement, for example. The club also needs to purchase a folding plastic table for use at the events. A vote was taken and the two purchases were approved.
Chelan County Fair: The fair takes place the weekend after Labor Day and the club will set up a presentation table in the Wilkins BLDG., Thursday through Sunday. There is an open class available for fair entries of honey, honey comb, and frames. Kriss asked for photographs such as pollinator photos for use on posters. Steve will present an Introduction to Beekeeping Class on the Sunday afternoon at the fair. There will be a honey extraction demonstration. Volunteers are needed for each of the days.
Swarms: Felix reported that when he has a list of volunteers to collect swarms, he starts with the first person on the list and continues down the list until he finds someone who is available, when he is not able to do the collection. Call him to get on the list and pair up with experienced swarm collectors.
Snack for the April 26 Biz/Ed meeting: Wayne and Janice
Al suggested that it would be interesting and informative to create a chart of beehive losses to include the time of year, location (city), suspected reasons for loss.
Education: Felix provided a detailed talk on the background of swarms, including the reason they occur, the time of year they typically occur, and the typical composition of a swarm. He also commented on the appearance of swarms, swarm behavior, and various locations where they organize. Swarm bees are heavily laden with honey and pollen that they have taken from their hive; as a result the swarms are usually docile unless abused. The presentation included information on hive management to avoid swarming and ways to capture a swarm, with a number of personal capture examples.
The March Biz/ED Meeting was completed at 6pm and Felix’s Swarm Presentation was completed at 7pm.
NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION Is a registered Washington State Non-Proift. UBI 603594512