If you would like to view the amended club constitution that was passed at the March 12, 2013 meeting, please download it here:

WCBA Constitution and By-Laws Amended March 2013

March 16-17 : Saturday & Sunday:  Bee School

NC Bee Keepers Certification Class and Practical-Spaces still available.

http://www.wakecountybeekeepers.org/2013/01/2013-spring-beginners-beekeeping-workshop/

March 12 –Club Meeting

Ø  7:00pm  - Mix and Mingle with the Masters & Mentors (4M)

·         Come early to have the opportunity to talk, discuss and ask questions with the club’s Masters Beekeepers and Mentors

·         Various types of Bee hives will on display – provided by Bee Friendly Hives

·         Snacks:

¨      Fresh Fruit, Mixed Nuts and Beverages

Ø  Topic and Guest Speakers:

·         Bayer Bee Center Representative: Dick Rogers

¨      Mr. Rogers will give a brief intro on the center.

(Tour to be scheduled for our Club later in the year)

·         Main Guest Speaker:  George Skinner of Bee Friendly Hives

¨       Mr. Skinner is an active member of our Club whose passion and business is designing and building quality products for Bees and Bee Keepers.  George will speak on the different types of hives he builds, components, equipment, designs, construction techniques and wood properties.  George also hosts Swarm Out Sessions for our club members: Building your own Bee Hive.

¨      Various types of Bee hives will on display – provided by Bee Friendly Hives

¨      George is donating for our raffle that evening:

Ø  Hive Stand, Solid Bottom Board, Hive Body, Inner cover and Top Cover! Thank you George!

The executive committee would like to vote on adoption of these revisions at the meeting this Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m.  The proposed changes are as follows:

• Hold annual officer elections in October so that (1) new officers have adequate time to be prepared for their office and (2) the NCSBA Yellow Book will contain current-year officers (information for the Yellow Book needs to be submitted by the end of October).  Officers will continue to serve terms from January to December of the calendar year.
• Have the Nominating Committee start officer nominations in July in order to have a slate to present to the club at the September meeting
• Create a “Sergeant-at-Arms” position to assist with club meeting logistics such as A/V set up, raffles, door prizes, and other ad hoc tasks during meetings
• Correction of a few minor typos.

Please download and view the proposed constitution here: Revised WCBA Constitution and By-Laws for March Vote

As we get materials for the Beginning Beekeeping Workshop that will be held March 16 and 17th, they will be posted here:

Pest, Predators and Diseases of the Hive – Prentation by Charles Heatherly

Honeybee Biology – Sarah Myers & Kate Hanser

The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop on Queen Rearing for Beekeepers from 6:00-9:00 pm on Monday March 11 in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. The workshop will be taught by North Carolina State University Apiculture Technician Jennifer Keller. There are many benefits to raising your own queens: you will always have one on hand when you need it, you can save money, and you can pick whatever characteristics are important to you and breed to that. This workshop is for beekeepers who have some experience; we will not be covering the basics of honey bee biology.

* We will also be offering an all-day follow-up workshop on Saturday June 1 for folks who understand the basic principles of queen rearing and want an intensive hands-on experience (details on the June workshop to be released in March).

Agenda:

§ What is queen rearing?

§ Why make your own instead of buying? Advantages and disadvantages of rearing your own queens.

§ Things to consider before beginning: number of hives needed to be successful, materials needed, planning, etc.

§ Cell builders: identifying a strong colony; how to set up swarm box.

§ Grafting

§ Mating nucs

§ Grafting demonstration and hands-on grafting practice

Cost of the March workshop is $15 and includes handouts. Pre-registration is required. The deadline for registration is March 7 (we must RECEIVE your registration by March 7). Space is limited so register early!

Download a registration for on the Growing Small Farms website at http://go.ncsu.edu/gsfworkshops. Call Debbie at 919-542-8202 or email for more information.

Hive Building Seminars

Linked above is a PDF flyer for a seminar hosted by club member George Skinner on building hive bodies.  He will be offering these hands-on workshops at his residence in Knightdale.  Participation is limited to 10 people per seminar, and the first is scheduled for this Saturday, February 23.  Please see the attached flyer for more information. Check out this great opportunity to increase your beekeeping skills and understanding!

Download Registration Form

2013 Spring Beginners Beekeeping Workshop
March 16 – 17, 2013

Class: Saturday, March 16th, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Raleigh Police Club, 3500 Leonard Rd.
Knightdale/Raleigh, NC

Practical: Sunday, March 17th
1 p.m. – until all participants have tested
Location: Wake County Cooperative Center
4011 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610-2921
(Test location subject to change)

Please mail payment and all completed registration form(s) to:
Neil Woodcock, WCBA Treasurer
1520 Wescott Drive Raleigh, NC 27614

Testing will be offered for certification through the North Carolina Master Beekeeper Program. A written certified beekeeping test will be administered before the end of class on Saturday. A practical test where participants demonstrate hands-on experience in the hives will be offered on Sunday. Taking these tests is optional but highly encouraged. For additional information about the testing and certification process, please visit the North Carolina State Beekeeping Association website www.ncbeekeepers.org and look under “Master Beekeeper.”

Workshop cost: $50.00 / person, non refundable

The fee includes:

• a copy of First Lessons in Beekeeping by Keith Delaplane
• informational handouts
• one year WCBA & NCSBA memberships
• hot dog lunch (Saturday)
• optional testing opportunities

Registration deadline: Monday, March 4, 2013