BENNNINGTON COUNTY BEEKEEPER’S CLUB

January 12, 2006

Bennington Free Library 

Present: Rod Hoard, Claude Hoard, Janet White, Jacob Esh, Jeanne Davis, Robin Greene, Robert Greene, Tony Marro, Jackie Marro, Oakley Frost, Carol Comar Frost

Meeting called to order at 1900

Announcements:

Jacob announced a meeting on January 24th at Northshire Bookstore. Guest speaker will be Shane Gabauer. For more information contact Maddie Sobel at 362-445. Sat. March 25th there will be a meeting at SUNY Albany sponsored by SABA. Registration forms available from Jacob.

Jacob reported there were no enrollees for the Beekeeping short course at this time. For additional information check with Jacob Esh.

Jacob informed the club that he had been interviewed by Bennington Banner as advertisement for the Beekeeping short course.

Information distributed on small hive beetle.

Sample “Conflict of Interest Policy” provided for club review.

Bee Culture magazine subscription forms distributed by Jacob.

Review of minutes: Minutes of October 20, 2005 distributed by Jacob. Income statement distributed and reviewed Motion made by Oakley Frost to accept minutes of Oct. 20 and income statement. Jeanne Davis seconded motion, all members in favor. Jacob requested the following change to be made to July’s minutes to include Janet White on the attendance list.

New Business: Claude Hoard proposed that Article IV of the by-laws be amended with the following change. Current wording, “all officers shall be residents of Bennington County” changed to read: “All officers shall be residents of Bennington County or adjacent areas”.

Janet White seconded the proposal. Article VIII requires a 10 day advance notice of change before vote is taken. Voting will take place at April meeting.

Jacob recommended an increase in membership dues which will allow for speakers and use of appropriate facilities for meetings. The annual dues currently are $5.00/year. Claude motioned that dues be increased to $10.00/year. Jeanne Davis seconded the motion. A vote to accept the increase dues was passed unanimously. Under Article VI of the By-laws, the amount of dues can be set by majority vote of the membership at the spring meeting in April.

Introduction: Jeanne Davis introduced herself and mentioned she has been beekeeping for 24 years and has tended a maximum of six hives. She currently tends three hives. Jeanne taught at Bennington College Head Start and had a bee observation hive in her classroom. Jeanne reported that during a power outage a fan to cool the hive failed and the hive swarmed. Jeanne manufactures hand creams and lip balm. Jeanne also mentioned she took a course through Better Bee and affiliated with Cornell University on Integrated pest management. Jeanne briefly discussed over wintering of bee hives in barns which is being done in Canada.

Presentations: Bee venom therapy-Jacob described technique he uses to gather bees which can be sent home with individuals for apitherapy.

Rob Greene offered the following suggestions for gathering pollen to feed hives.

  • Trap is needed.
  • Store pollen in freeze dry freezer.
  • While using “Sundance pollen trap” Rob gathered five pounds of pollen from traps on three hives.

 

Equipment was displayed and procedure for gathering pollen reviewed.

Jacob demonstrated the feeder which he built and reviewed the appropriate usage.

Jacob reviewed the procedure of reversing hives to promote brood formation. This is best accomplished if done three weeks prior to May 20th.

Door prize winners: Jeanne Davis won “The Official National Honey Board Marketing Kit”, Janet White won round plastic bee container.

Adjournment: Claude Hoard motioned that the business meeting be closed, Janet White seconded, and all were in favor. Meeting adjourned at 2015.

Next meeting planned for April 6, 2006 at the Arlington Community House.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Comar Frost, Secretary