Beekeeping Events

EAS Update!

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This year’s EAS 2013 Short Course has a “Train-the-Trainer” option.  Mark the registration form accordingly, if you want to be in the all-day Tues., Aug. 6 training and workshops led by Dr. David Tarpy (shown in photo below) and Bill Mares.  This workshop is not about what to teach, but how to teach it.       As beekeeping has increased in popularity, the demand for beekeeper education has never been greater.  One bottleneck in beekeeper education has been the small supply of good beekeeping teachers who can provide quality educational experiences.

The EAS 2013 “Train-the-Trainer” option is designed to give you the training in how to conduct an efficient bee school.  It will help you improve content delivery, maximize student learning, and promote beekeeping.  Lectures will include: the right mixture of theory and practice; what makes a bad presentation; teaching young beekeepers; using the Beekeeper Education and Engagement System (BEES) network in your bee school; crafting a test; and putting it all together.

Attendees of the all-day Tuesday, August 6, workshops will:
·       Learn various tips and techniques about improving content delivery
·       Gain experience in some of the common techniques for teaching beekeeping
·       Become confident in developing a beekeeper education  curriculum at any level
·       Discuss potential pitfalls in conducting a bee school & how they can be avoided

Preregistration is required for the limited number of seats.  Participants are expected to remain through the entire day.  Priority will be given to those who have or plan to conduct a beginner bee school so that we can learn from each other about what works, what doesn’t, and what to expect from many different perspectives.  Feel free to bring along a syllabus to critique and discuss with others.

David R. Tarpy, who hales from PA, is Program Director & Extension Apiculturist, NC State University.  David built one of the most successful state master beekeeper organizations (NC) and then developed an online education platform called BEES. 
Bill Mares is the immediate past president of EAS and the Vermont Beekeepers Association.  Bill co-chairs the EAS Education Committee. 

Pennsylvania beekeepers will welcome you warmly!  See you in August!

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Beekeeping Events

Buzz Bytes from EAS

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  On-site beeyards are part of the Conference & Short Course!  From basic lessons to advanced workshops, the apiaries are there for you!  With help from able instructors, learn how to “read” a frame, find a queen, spot a great brood pattern, and identify supercedure & swarm cells.

         The more experienced may learn about common hive problems and how to solve them (drone-laying workers, drone-laying queens, wax moths, hive beetles, Varroa mites, mice, etc.).  Find out when and how to combine hives, split hives, how to replace queens, work a top bar hive and much more!

The Short Course has both a Basic and an Advanced Level.  Students may drift between levels and courses within each level, provided attendance does not exceed room capacity.

New this year: the Basic Level has an optional examination for Certification.  Students wishing to receive the Basic Beekeeping Certification must pass both the written and field test.
AWESOME!  Don’t forget your gear!  It is a hands-on educational apiary, so you’ll be in the hives.  Bring what you normally wear in the beeyard.

Unsolicited Testimonial:                                                                         
What I found most appealing about EAS is that one can bounce back and forth between the beginner and advanced tracks depending on what one finds interesting. And the time in the apiary and lab – that is really a treat and sets EAS apart from most state meetings.  EAS is probably the only bee meeting where one can choose among several lectures, instruction in the apiary or lab — or even in the kitchen – at any given time, depending on one’s interests.   I think the average beekeeper has no idea of the scope of concurrent educational opportunities from which to choose.   It’s a fabulous program!                                              — Pam Fisher, President, Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia
The Eastern Apicultural Society’s annual Conference and Short Course are organized by a handful of volunteers in the host state.  Numerous members of the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association (PSBA) are hard at work to bring you EAS 2013.   PA beekeepers will welcome you warmly this August!
Click here for more information on the Eastern Apicultural Society.
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Beekeeping Events

Announcing 2013 Beginning Beekeeping Class for Richmond, Va

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Updated 01/07! The class is now full – sorry, but we cannot accept any further registrations for the 2013 class.

Updated 12/13! The dates have slightly changed, due to a scheduling issue with the Sandston Library. The class will be held on 1/19 and 2/23!

ERBA will be offering Sustainable Beekeeping 101, a beginning beekeeping class for would-be beekeepers in the Central Virginia area in January and February of next year. The class will focus on those areas of beekeeping most important to the new beekeeper, including a look at the life of the honey bee, necessary equipment and management techniques that focus on sustainable beekeeping.

Click here to view more details.

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Club Meetings

Next Meeting!

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Our next scheduled meeting is for November 13, 2012 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Fort Lee Baptist Church, at the corner of
Laburnum Avenue and Charles City Road.

The topic is the therapeutic value of honeybees presented by ERBA member Jack Weisskohl.

Last month was our annual picnic.  Despite some inclement weather, those who attended seemed to have a good time.
A special thanks to Bruce Weaver and his family for a wonderful fish fry.
Thanks to all who came out and bared the elements.  The forecast for next year is sunny and 70!

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Club Meetings

News from our August Meeting

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ERBA President David Jaroneski welcomed the group. He announced that there are still some members for whom we need e-mail addresses/contact info. He reminded the membership that the club picnic will be hosted at Dorey Park in Varina on Sunday, October 7th from 2 to 4 pm. The exact picnic site to be announced at the next meeting. An idea was presented for those who would like to be called to catch swarms. Members were asked if they would mind having their contact info. posted on the ERBA website along with the region/area they would cover. All present were in favor. A form will be created by the secretary for those who wish to be listed on the website beginning in 2013.

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Beekeeping Events, Club Meetings

Making Mead and the Honey Bee Festival

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The May East Richmond Beekeepers Association meeting was a huge success. Catching swarms in the Richmond area was a big topic, as well as honey bee removal in Richmond, Va and surrounding areas. But, the main program focused on making Mead with your harvested honey. We have posted the recipe here (thanks to Barbara Russlander!) for anyone interested in giving it a try : Making Mead Page 1 and Making Mead Page 2.

In addition, the Rockwood Nature Center (south of Richmond, in Chesterfield County) is having their 2nd Annual Honey Bee Festival on June 2. It looks to be a great time!

The June meeting will focus on Ware Hives and Top Bar Hives. Visitors are welcome!

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