NEXT MEETING - FRIDAY, APRIL 13 - Chef Supper/potluck
A-I —Vegetable | Side J-R — Dessert | S-Z — Main Course
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Leicester Knights of Columbus
For directions see the Events page (last item)
SPEAKER: MAX WEAGLE, WCBA & Mass Bee Board of Directors
TOPIC: Monitoring Hive Temperatures During Winter
Max will present his non-technical and inexpensive way to monitor hive temperatures during the winter. His set up allows you to see what the general temperature is inside the hive relative to the outside temperature as you sit in the comfort of your warm house watching the snow. He will also briefly explain more technical and
expensive ways to monitor other aspects of your hives.
APIARY INSPECTOR POSITION AVAILABLE
From Kim Skyrm, Chief Apiary Inspector / Apaiary Program Coordinator - MDAR:
"I wanted to share an opening in the Apiary Program Team. Specific information and additional details can be found on the MassCareers Job Opportunities webpage by searching for the Keyword: Apiary."
BEE SCHOOL SCHEDULE UPDATE
Our Bee School syllabus has been updated after the March 8 cancellation. The order has been changed due to speaker availability. You can find the latest version here.
SWARM LIST
Do you want to be on the swarm catcher list for this coming season? Please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name, town and phone number that you want to be listed on our web site. We will post the list on this site around the end of March.
SUPPORT MA BILLS TO RESTRICT NEONIC USE !
Bills to restrict the use of neonicotinoids in Massachusetts are being considered by the MA House and Senate. Let your State Rep and Senator know that your support these bills!
The text of the bills can be found here (they are basically the same):
House bill (H.4041) - https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H4041
Senate bill (S.2164) - https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/s2164
You can find the name and contact information for your State Rep. and State Senator by clicking on the following link and then typing in your address: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
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 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
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
President -- Kathy deGraaf
Vice President -- Barbara MacPhee
Secretary -- Angela Hogue
Treasurer -- Phil Gaudette
Directors for 2017-2020 -- Dick Callahan & Norman Mercier
A HUGE THANK YOU to our outgoing President Mary Duane for all her work these past two years, and to our outgoing Secretary Barbara MacPhee for her many years of service in that role. THANKS MARY and BARB!!
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
WCBA EXTRACTORS
WCBA has several extractors available for rent to our members. For details see here.
DOES YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS NEED UPDATING?
If your membership is up to date but you are not receiving club emails (quarterly newletter & important announcements), please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to update your email in our records.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE AUGUST 31
Membership has its benefits! Quarterly newsletter, discount on beekeeping trade journals (Bee Culture and American Bee Journal), free admittance to the WCBA indoor meetings which include our March and October speaker meetings, discount honey jar ordering, club honey extractor program and much, much more. Don't delay, renew today!
Membership renewals are due by August 31 every year. Dues are $15. You can renew by mail or at any of the club meetings. The membership renewal form can be found here.