Upcoming Events:
3-10 Bee Chat: Last one at Bob’s was successful, but Bob’s prefers Wednesday to Thursday. Place for March to be determined and communicated on email. 6 p.m.
Journeyman group make-up session will meet after Chat.
3-20 Business/Education meeting at PUD at 5 p.m.
3-5, 12 & 19 Apprentice class, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Leavenworth PUD A few places still available
3-25 Deadline for ordering packages and nucs
3-11, 12 & 13 Beecome 2016, major European meeting. NCWBees funding registration for Alix Whitener, who is already in Sweden, and will present information to us at a later meeting.
7-9 Bee/pollinator seminar led by WSU graduate students, location TBA
4-16 Chelan Earth Day, all day, Wayne Ranne to coordinate
4-24 Leavenworth Earth Day, noon to 4 p.m., Lions Park, Deborah Stansbury to coordinate
Mid April – Probable date for bee package delivery
Introductions of members present and report of hive survival/loss. It appears there has been major loss this winter.
A poll of survival compared to source (Charles vs. Ruben vs. Sunrise) and type (package vs. nuc) showed no apparent pattern. Varoa treatment appears to have been helpful. The possibility that insecticide on nursery plants may have been damaging was considered unlikely.
Minutes of last meeting were approved.
Treasurer’s Report Balance in general fund is still approximate as dues are still coming in but is about $2000. The education/outreach fund had about $800 remaining. Columbia Marketing contributed another $1000. This will fund three going to the WSU program, about $200 worth of books, and some equipment for our high school student. Preparation of a “honey basket” for Columbia Marketing was approved.
Reminder to register hives with the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Kris reported that paperwork has been submitted to register NCWBees as a non-profit organization. Cost is $30 first year, $10 per year thereafter with renewal due March 1 (after election of officers for the year).
Peter Hill reported preliminary consideration of developing a demonstration apiary, possibly as part of the WSU campus, possibly in cooperation with WSU Master Gardeners. Any interested in pursuing this should contact Peter, Daryn or Kris.
Additions and corrections cheerfully accepted.
Alice Crawford
NCW Beekeepers Meeting January 24, 2016
Coming Events & Deadlines
Meeting Items:
Additions and corrections cheerfully accepted. Alice Crawford
NCWBA Biz/ED Meeting Business & Education March 22, 2015 Chelan PUD 5 pm
UPCOMING DATES:
BEE Biz/Ed meeting (PUD BLDG), April 26, 2015 at 5PM with beginner beekeepers/any members with questions meeting at 4:30pm; BEE CHAT: April 9, 6pm at El Agavé CHELAN EARTH DAY: April 18, 9am – 4pm Riverfront Park LEAVENWORTH EARTH DAY: April 19, 12 noon – 4pm Lion’s Club Park
BEE PICKUPS: The following dates are estimates. Al will provide the final dates when he has them. Sunrise: April 3 or 4 Outdoor Bees: around April 18 Shafer’s: TBD, around the 3rd weekend of April
Old Business:
Members decided that the BEE CHAT will remain at El Agavé Restaurant for the April 9th BEE CHAT. Kriss will check on other locations with no charge meeting rooms.
Jessica and Emilka conducted a hive building session on 21 March using commercial components; several members participated.
Deb brought delicious honey-peanut butter treats.
Before each Biz/Ed meeting, volunteers will be available at 4:30pm to 5:00pm to answer questions from new beekeepers. For future Biz Ed, members suggested that demonstrations and education include the best times and preparation needed for different seasons and phases of beekeeping. Al volunteered to demonstrate making candy boards and hive handles. He also suggested a discussion on the costs of beekeeping. Kriss reported that the honey extractor is available for 2-day rental for $25 and includes use of associated tools.
Emilka suggested a June barbeque for educational demonstrations. Kriss reported that she hoped to organize a July barbeque to include a guest speaker from the WSU agriculture department.
Bee Suppliers: Al reported that only 2 bee suppliers are now available: Outdoor Bees and Shafer’s. Jeff O’Brien reported that he will bring the Sunrise bees from Yakima to the Crilly’s house on April 3 or 4. Outdoor Bees (Ruben) will deliver his nucs on about April 18, at the north end of town in the parking lot near Gateway Theater. Shafer’s will soon report their time of bee delivery.
Wenatchee city ordinance progress: Daryn reported that while the city of Wenatchee is determined to create an ordinance regarding beekeeping within city limits this year, he and Peter H. continue to do all the work of researching other city and community ordinances for Wenatchee, in order to present a potential ordinance model to the city. Leavenworth does not allow beekeeping within the city limits; Cashmere would like the club’s assistance in ordinance preparation; the Master Gardeners are interested in helping with research; Rep. Hawkins suggested the WA state council of cities might provide some models. Daryn and Peter welcome others to help. Call Daryn. Hives need to be registered with the state WSDA by April 1, 2015. The cost of registering is nominal.
Logo items: Kriss passed around the baseball-style hat displaying the agreed upon logo. The logo can be placed on different hat styles and different shirt styles, such as t-shirts and polo shirts. Members can go to GPA Embroidery at 22 N. Wenatchee Ave. to purchase logo items, pricing dependent on the style of hat or shirt chosen.
Treasurer’s report: GPA Embroidery charged $95 to set up the logo for the hats and shirts. Kriss will order shirts for sale at events. Members have ordered 150 nucs and packages of bees, with a few more orders placed at the end of the meeting. Some members wrote checks to the NCWBA rather than to the individual bee providers so those checks had to be processed through the bank account. The club currently has $1200 in the bank. Because the Apprentice class for this year was full but new members still wanted the information, Kriss and Steve will order a box of the Apprentice booklets and sell them for $10 each.
Volunteers are urgently needed to attend the booth at the Chelan (April 18) and Leavenworth (April 19) Earth Days. Wayne volunteered for the Leavenworth event. Please volunteer to come and sit with the posters and handouts. Call Kriss or Steve.
New Business:
The club needs to purchase a sun shade for use in outdoor outreach events. Kriss reported that the Chelan Earth Day committee has specific requirements for the size of the sun shade and for safely securing the shade to avoid movement on windy days. Deb said the shade can be secured with cement blocks, 5 gallon cans of water, and pvc pipe filled with cement, for example. The club also needs to purchase a folding plastic table for use at the events. A vote was taken and the two purchases were approved.
Chelan County Fair: The fair takes place the weekend after Labor Day and the club will set up a presentation table in the Wilkins BLDG., Thursday through Sunday. There is an open class available for fair entries of honey, honey comb, and frames. Kriss asked for photographs such as pollinator photos for use on posters. Steve will present an Introduction to Beekeeping Class on the Sunday afternoon at the fair. There will be a honey extraction demonstration. Volunteers are needed for each of the days.
Swarms: Felix reported that when he has a list of volunteers to collect swarms, he starts with the first person on the list and continues down the list until he finds someone who is available, when he is not able to do the collection. Call him to get on the list and pair up with experienced swarm collectors.
Snack for the April 26 Biz/Ed meeting: Wayne and Janice
Al suggested that it would be interesting and informative to create a chart of beehive losses to include the time of year, location (city), suspected reasons for loss.
Education: Felix provided a detailed talk on the background of swarms, including the reason they occur, the time of year they typically occur, and the typical composition of a swarm. He also commented on the appearance of swarms, swarm behavior, and various locations where they organize. Swarm bees are heavily laden with honey and pollen that they have taken from their hive; as a result the swarms are usually docile unless abused. The presentation included information on hive management to avoid swarming and ways to capture a swarm, with a number of personal capture examples.
The March Biz/ED Meeting was completed at 6pm and Felix’s Swarm Presentation was completed at 7pm.
NCWBA Monthly Meeting Business & Education February 22, 2015 Chelan PUD 5pm
Old Business- Daryn talked about what’s going on with the Wenatchee City Ordinance, the Beekeeping in the city limits is one topic they are considering looking at this year. Need to order packages by next Bee Mtg. (3/22)-Al & Tim are the contacts Journeyman Class still in the process of getting formed, if interested talk to Steve Logo items-Kriss is going to order some hats and shirts w/logo on it Apprentice class on track for March-almost full, now open to public
New Business- Chelan Earth Day Fair- April 18th, need of volunteers for this-let us know if you are available Leavenworth Earth Day Fair- Date unsure, but we’ll need volunteers for this as well Coastal Demo Days-March 10th @ 5:30 Prizes & Education!!! Grant Money from Grower-Steve has been in contact, but no details as of yet Some club money will be spent on more business card & Flyers to pass out at our community events Enough club members liked the idea of a Beginner Hour, so that’ll be in the works in the future.
Education: Coming out of spring-what to check for & what to do Good time to think about feeding (honey, sugar, patties, etc) If signs of Nosema-protein patties now (early spring) can help knock that back Pollen is starting to come in As it warms up, open the entrance to allow for large amt.s of bees in and out Watch weather-it’s warm, but may want to keep insulation on a little longer Good time to swap out bottom box while empty, clean out frames with black/dark wax If you have crazy comb, replace it frame by frame as appropriate Mold- you can use a light bleach/water solution if it’s on your equipment. Good time to powder dust to knock down mites.
New Business: Earth Day in Chelan April 18th *Let Steve know if you are able to help with booth
WSBA Apprentice Class Marc 7, 21, & 28 $15 to sign up—talk to Steve Journeyman Class in the planning stages—let Steve know if you are interested.
There is a Grower in the area that has been in contact with our club about providing support. Ideas for how we would use extra donations: Event, Scholarships, Classes/Education, Horticultural Fair, FFA, National Honeybee day in August (on the 22nd)
Time to Start thinking about ordering bees…Al is in charge of ordering. The prices mentioned so far were: 3 lb pkg. $100, Queen $30 (have to be NCWBA member)-available in April, cutoff for ordering is mid March Nuc $130 + $20 refundable deposit.(available in June)
The group decided that we would like to see the following in 2015: Group Clean Out, Apiary Visits, Demos, Show & Tell, Summertime Potluck.
January 18, 2015
Chelan PUD Auditorium in Wenatchee, 5pm
In Attendance: Amy, Steve, Al, Jeff, Catrina & Bryan, Wayne, Janis, Alice, Dan & Becky, Russ, Amilka, Kelly & Jenna, James, Todd, Tandi & Jerry, Mike & Kari, Craig, Dennis, Stan
UPCOMING DATES: BEE MTG. February 22 @ 5PM (PUD BLDG) Snacks-Stan & Jane
BEE CHAT February 12 @ 6PM (El Agave)
Old Business- Jan. 7th Daryn, Kriss, & Steve went to Wenatchee City Council mtg. and gave them an ordinance to look at for Beekeeping in the city limits of Wenatchee
Steve passed around 2 hats with our logo on them, the group chose to have NCWBA on front and back of hat.
Time to register hives-State Law-link will be posted on website.
Important News: Wayne Rainey is our new Vice President—congratulations!!!
Amy Cummings is willing to stay on as secretary, but if anyone is able to back up for when she is unable to make meetings, please let her know.
Earth Day in Chelan April 18th *Let Steve know if you are able to help with booth
WSBA Apprentice Class Marc 7, 21, & 28 $15 to sign up—talk to Steve
Journeyman Class in the planning stages—let Steve know if you are interested.
There is a Grower in the area that has been in contact with our club about providing support.
Ideas for how we would use extra donations: Event, Scholarships, Classes/Education, Horticultural Fair, FFA, National Honeybee day in August (on the 22nd)
Time to Start thinking about ordering bees…Al is in charge of ordering, details will be posted soon when they are hashed out.
The group decided that we would like to see the following in 2015:
Group Clean Out, Apiary Visits, Demo’s, Show & Tell, Summertime Potluck.
Emilka and Jessica have offered to organize these sorts of activities on a monthly (or more frequent) basis during the season.
June 1, 2014 Chelan Co PUD 5pm Business/Education Meeting
Introduction of New People
2-3 membership forms handed out
Dates
July 10th – Bee Chat at SOUTH. More information will be coming soon. This will be a money making venture for the club. Watch for more detailed information – and a flyer that will advertise the event.
July 19th – (Saturday) Something different . . .
TENTATIVE: 3pm Visiting the apiary of Tim Bovee 4pm Visitng the apirary of Daryn Klingensmith 5pm Arriving at the Crilly House . . . for education and BBQ. Bee PhD Honey Bee grad student will speak Bee package person – Jim? – has been invited
This will be a members only event . . . unless prior arrangements have been made. For example – we’ve been contacted by Cloudview Eco Farms. They have some interns that are interested in bees.
MORE DETAILS LATER . . . . .
September 4 – 7 – Chelan County Fair Exhibitors Passes will be $12. These need to be purchased at the July or August Meeting. They can be purchased at the fairgrounds September 3rd – but it’s easier to prepurchase. To get in the Exhibitors Pass, you will need to sign up for a minimum of a 4 hour shift at the NCWBA booth at the fair. The pass will allow you entrance to the fair all 4 days.
No Minutes available from previous meeting
Treasurers Report $670.47 Apprentice Booklet bill has been paid
Old Business
7 tests have been graded for Apprentice
Outreach has been going great – Earth Day in Leavenworth Ag Supply info table Pybus University Plain Hardware Info Day UPCOMING – Chelan County Fair
New Business
SWARM DISCUSSION/EDUCATION
Added new names to the Swarm Capture List
Need to looking a chef demonstrating – ‘Cooking with Honey’ At the PUD? Or at Pybus. Kriss will look into it.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Substitute Secretary – Kriss
North Central Washington Beekeepers Association March Business & Education Meeting March 16, 2014 Chelan County PUD
In Attendance: Jerry & Tandy, Tim & Gina, Mike & Carrie, Naomi, Tim, Dylan, Cliff, David & Cirri, Jane & Stan, Alix, James & Kriss, Amy, Andy, Craig, Mike, Felix, Jeff & Heidi, Michelle, Daryn, Marc, Daniel & Venessa
Next Bee Chat scheduled for: April 10th @ El Agave 6pm Next Bee Meeting scheduled for: April 27th @ Chelan County PUD
Treasurer’s Report $915 minus current expenses of $300= $600 (estimate)
Bee Packages ordered through Steve will be arriving on or around April 20th, pick up will be at the Crilly’s house (along with a hiving demonstration) 1311 Pershing St. Wenatchee…contact 664-3278…Time and confirmation on date to be announced!
Outreach Events:
Misc.
Educational Topic: Spring Management of Apiary and Hives
Amy Cummings, Secretary
In Attendance: Michael & Carrie Schenck, Kriss & James Crilly, Marc Jaramillo, Naomi Murray, Jessica Beaver, Debra Stansbery, Kelly & Jemma Riedel, Stan & Jane Peak, Cirri & David Quick, Daryn Klinginsmith, Peter Hill, Amy Cummings, Dylan Whiteley, Scott Nordstrom, Jeff H, Al Zalewski, Steve Foley
Dates for March: Next Bee Chat scheduled for March 6 @ 6pm @ El Agave Next meeting scheduled for March 16 @ 5pm @ PUD
Dates for April: Bee Chat: April 9th El Agave Bee Meeting: April 27th @ PUD
Treasurer’s Report $600 in account with more coming in from new members
Dates for Apprenticeship Class set for Saturday s in March from 9-12 @ Leavenworth Fire Hall-Last class will be a field trip to Tierra apiary in Leavenworth
Bee packages need to be ordered by March 1st w/ payment-Steve is contact
Outreach-was decided to have a subgroup to plan and organize these events. Possible events/ groups: Chelan County Fair-weekend after Labor Day, Leavenworth Earth Day Fair April 27th, Master Gardener-weekend workshop or at plant sale, Home and Garden Show The following are members that will make up this subgroup: Kris, Amy, Steve, Jim, Stan, Debra, Jessica, Naomi, Al, Jeff, Michelle. Peter and Amy will both approach the Master Gardeners about opportunities. Coastal Farms has offered to let us borrow equipment for workshops, etc. w/their name displayed. Kris delivered flyers for our club to Coastal Maria will not be here to do the Pybus University talk, Steve may fill in Beginning Beekeeping in Pullman-July 31st-Aug.1 $125 Queen Rearing Aug. 2 $175
Educational topic was 3 different ways to get bees and how to get the bees in the hive: Package vs. Nuc vs. Swarm.
North Central Washington Beekeepers Association
2014 Annual Meeting + Business/Education January 19th @ 5pm Chelan County PUD
In Attendance: James & Kriss, Kelly & Jemma, Amy, Naomi, Jessica, Carrie & Mike, Tandy & Jerry, Bill & Heidi O’Brien, Felix, Dylan, Mark, Craig, Andy, Jeff, Stan & Jane, Maria
Dates for February:
Dates for March:
Bylaws-approved by verbal voting
Officers-approved by verbal voting
2014 Officers:
Master Beekeeping Class (Apprenticeship Level) starting soon: contact Steve Foley
Need to order bees by March-Steve has a source-cost is around
$100/3 lb. pkg. $130/nuc
Discussed types of bees-Causcasions, Russians, Italians, Carnolions
Felix recommended- Beekeepers Handbook
Once Steve has a set price on the bees, he’ll put together an order form. Forms will be available through website, chat, and meetings, etc.
Coastal Farm and Ranch has Italians available for $109/pkg or $139/nuc
Talked about sharing resources:
Books, DVD’s, etc. If you have books, etc. that you’d be willing to share, send them to Maria so she can post them on the website.
One hope for the club in the future is to purchase equipment that can be shared.
“Backyard Beekeepers” and “Beekeeping for Dummies” were mentioned.
WSU beekeeping class-sometime in June in Pullman, will be announced once known.
Business adjourned @ 5:55pm
EDUCATION: Equipment
Check various catalogs/internet sites, etc.
Discussion Points- Boxes, Frames, Cell Size, Deeps vs. Mediums
9 vs. 10 frames in a 10 frame box, keeping frames in order, Bottom Board, Drone Frame, Feeders, Top Covers, Inner Covers, Queen Excluder, Mite Grid (Sticky Board), Veil, Suit/Jacket, Hive Tools, Smoker, Bee Brush, Frame Grabber, Sifter/Mesh strainer, Frame Holder, Hive Stand
North Central Washington Beekeepers Association 2013 Business/Education Meeting December 8th, – 5pm Chelan County PUD
In Attendance: James & Kriss Crilly, Felix Slette, Mike McGregor, Michelle Satterfield, Craig Genereux, Amy & Frank Cummings, Jeff & Heidi O/Brien, Steve Foley, Dalton Graham, Kelly & Jemma Riedel, Al & Carol Jielski (Manson), Naomi (Leavenworth), Brin & Brennan, Stewert & Shaye Elliott, Maria Langer
Treasurer’s Report: $225 – all from membership dues Dues for 2014 should be paid by January 19th to take part in the elections.
The Club needs to purchase Apprentice Beekeeper books, as well as consider starting a book & DVD library for members to check out.
Next Bee Chat – Jan 16th @ 6pm – rescheduled for January 9th – El Agave’s in Wenatchee
Next Business/Education Meeting scheduled for January 19th – 5pm @ Chelan PUD
Steve Foley is the Region 4 Washington Beekeepers Association Rep. We will learn more as he learns more.
Swarm Information needs to be set up with the Wenatchee World, Rivercom, & the Humane Society. May want to consider Pest Control businesses. (WHO IS GOING TO DO THIS?)
Maria is our Website Master. Felix takes care of Craigslist. Kriss takes care of Facebook.
Coastal Farm and Ranch will be getting Bee Packages – they need to be ordered ahead of time. Coastal will have a Bee Seminar December 17th – 6 – 8pm.
Name Tags – will be provided at the next meeting.
EDUCATION SECTION
Talked about color/shape preference of bees. Talked about wrapping hives in black tar paper to help keep bees warm in the winter.
Economics of Honey • setting up a hive (you should have 2 minimum) • containers for honey – if you plan on selling your honey • labeling & what information you might include on your label (weight, raw, name, email, flower source, etc.) • what to charge for your honeu • barter • pollination contracts/services • raising queens • raising bees for packages or nucs
MAKE BEES & QUEENS OR HONEY – CAN’T DO BOTH . . . . .
• products of a hive – wax or honey? • porpolis – how to harvest? Use for? • pollen
Discussed again the cost of starting up your first bee hive . . . . Sources: Mannlake, Brushy Mountain, Coastal Farm in East Wenatchee
Good Magazine: Bee Culture
Kriss Crilly Acting Secretary
NORTH CENTRAL WASHINGTON BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION Is a registered Washington State Non-Proift. UBI 603594512
