Monday, January 11, 2010

ECWBA Newsletter - Jan 9, 2010

1. Beekeeping workshop: Earl Jewett has put together a beginning beekeeping workshop. There will be three sessions to the workshop on the following dates: Wednesday, January 20, 2010; Wednesday, February 3, 2010; and Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Workshop time is 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. The workshop location is the UW Fond du Lac Administration & Extension Building, room 205. The cost is $30.00 per person or $50.00 per couple. For information and registration, call 920-929-3171. See below for complete program info. (NOTE: Previous publications have shown Feb. 2 as the second class, the correct date is Feb. 3.)

2. Meetings. Here is the list of meeting dates for the start of 2010:
• January meeting: January 23, 2010, 9:30 am at Ripon Public Library.
• February meeting: February 20, 2010, 9:30 am at Ripon Public Library.
• March meeting: March 20, 2010, time and place is yet to be determined.

3. Topics. Here are the discussion topics to be covered at the meetings:
• January meeting: Review of beekeeping basics.
• February meeting: Mite and disease control and prevention.
• March meeting: Splitting spring colonies and making nucleus colonies.
• May meeting: Another field day ??? Anybody interested in sponsoring this ???

4. Internet Blog note. Denise Palkovich has been doing an excellent job of keeping the organizational blog up and running. The blog has up-to-date information about the ECWBA and other beekeeping information. The blog is on the internet at http://ourbeeblog.blogspot.com/

5. Membership dues reminder. ECWBA membership dues for 2010 will remain at $15.00. Dues need to be paid by end of March, 2010, in order to continue receiving a newsletter and association communications.

Beekeeping Notes:
• Start planning for 2010 – do you want to expand your beekeeping operation or just improve upon what you already have?
• Now is a good time to plan and purchase equipment for 2010. This gives you plenty of time to assemble and paint any new hive components.
• Register for and plan to attend a beekeeping class sometime this spring.

Best of beekeeping,
Jeff Champeau
President, ECWBA
Telephone: 715-330-9969


Introduction to Beekeeping Program Offered
Individuals interested in pursuing beekeeping as a hobby or side business venture are encouraged to attend a six-hour "Beekeeping 101" program being offered this winter. Classes will be held at UW-Fond du Lac in room 205. Classes will be held from 6:30-9:00 PM on January 20, February 3, and March 3.

The classes are being taught by local beekeepers Earl Jewett and Hank Miller. Hank received the 2009 Educational Award from the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association in recognition of his mentoring of many young 4H beekeepers. Participants will learn about bee biology, beekeeping equipment, hive management, honey extraction and marketing, overwintering bees, and beekeeping resources. The class will be held early enough for beginners to order bees and prepare equipment for spring.

The program is co-sponsored by the East Central Wisconsin Beekeepers Association and UW-Extension. The cost to attend the three programs is $30 per person or $50 per couple. Checks should be made payable to the East Central WI Beekeepers Assn. and mailed to: UW-Extension Beekeeping Program, 400 University Dr., Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Pre-registration by Monday, January 18 is required. For more information contact the Fond du Lac Co. UW-Extension office at 920-929-3171.

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