NEXT MEETING - FRIDAY, JANUARY 11
WHEN: Friday, January 11, 6:30 PM
WHERE: Knights of Columbus - Leicester, MA
Join us for our chef supper! Bring a dish big enough to serve 10, based on the first letter of your last name (below). Please remember to bring your own tableware.
A-I: Main Course J-R: Vegetable / Side S-Z: Dessert
This will be the official WCBA Annual meeting, including the election of two Directors, and Ken will give a talk on winter management.
2018 WCBA memberships expired on December 31, 2018
The WCBA bylaws were changed during 2018 so that the membership year is now the same as the calendar year. This means that 2018 memberships are officially expired as of December 31, 2018.
You will be taken to our membership web site to enter your information and create an online profile, if you don't already have one. WCBA does not store your credit card and we will never share your personal information with any third party.
To renew by mail please print and fill out the form found here and mail with your check.
Note: If you are planning to sign up for 2019 Bee School, your Bee School registration will include your membership for the year. In this case there is no need to join or renew separately and you can safely ignore the renewal reminders.
77th Annual WCBA Bee School
Bee School begins March 7th, 2019! The school will run for eight Thursdays from 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM at the Grafton High School in Grafton, MA.
The fee is $35 which includes membership in WCBA through the end of 2019.
NOTE: Registering for WCBA membership does not sign you up for bee school. You must complete the separate bee school application.
For more details including syllabus and schedule, see the Bee School page here.
To register online, please use this link.
To register by mail, please download and mail this form with your check.
Preparing Your Hives for the Winter Months
Did you miss our September 15 meeting? You can find Ken's notes on Preparing Bee Hives for the Winter Months here.
WCBA EXTRACTORS
WCBA has several extractors available for rent to our members. For details see here.
HONEY BEE SWARM REMOVAL
Honeybee swarms are a natural process where the bees divide their colony and half of them leave home along with their queen, to start a new hive. Before they find their new space, they may hang around in a temporary spot for a few hours. If you see a honeybee swarm, keep your distance and please don’t panic--they are normally fairly gentle. Do call a beekeeper who will come and get them.
A list of Worcester County Beekeepers who are on call to collect swarms can be found here. Most will also travel to nearby towns.
Update on MA House bill H.4041 "An Act to Protect Massachusetts Pollinators"
Update: This bill did not get a vote in the House during the session ending 7/31/18. Stay tuned for next steps!
Background: H 4041 is a reasoned, extremely moderate use restriction of systemic neonicotinoid pesticides by homeowners. Your Representatives have told the Speaker they support this bill. One hundred Massachusetts scientists support the bill. Now the Speaker needs to hear directly from you!
INSURANCE FOR BEEKEEPERS
Did you miss the insurance presentation at our April meeting, by Wendy Ashe of A&B Insurance in Westford? Here is a link to her handout:
TEMPERATURE PROBE INFORMATION
Did you miss the temperature probe presentation at our April meeting by WCBA member Max Weagle? Here is a link to the probe information:
PROPOSED APIARY REGULATIONS FOR MASSACHUSETTS
The draft regulations can be found here: 330 CMR 8.00 - revised draft
The current regulations can be found here: 330 CMR 8.00 - current
WCBA BY-LAWS
OCT. 7, 2017 VIDEO AVAILABLE ONLINE
We have posted an online video of Dr. Eric Mussen's talk on Advanced Honey Bee Nutrition from our Oct. 7 conference:
Nutrition Needs in the Honeybee Colony
HIVE INSPECTIONS ARE AVAILABLE
The MA apiary inspection service is now available. If you are interested in having an inspector check your hive, or any hive that died, please submit an online inspection request here:
MDAR Apiary Inspection Request Form
You can also call 617-626-1801 to request a visit from an inspector.
MA POLLINATOR PROTECTION PLAN
The MA Pollinator Protection Plan has been released and can be found at http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/agr/farmproducts/apiary/pollinator-plan.pdf
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