Vermont Beekeepers Association

Beekeeping in Vermont

Ask Me Anything (About Beekeeping)

If you missed our Ask Me Anything (About Beekeeping) workshop this week, the recording is available to VBA members (along with many others) online. Simply login to the site and look under the Calendar menu. (Co-hosted by VBA members, Fred Putnam, Tony Antonucci, and Jeff Battaglini.)

Preventing the spread of diseases esp. AFB
Re-queening calendar and recordkeeping (if a colony is queenless)
Summer actions to prep for winter.
Mite management and virus loads - options for this time of the year
Weather impacts - Dealing with too little or too much rain
Water supply
Pollen sub
Dearths or not
Extracting tips
Tips on handling defensive colonies

Extended Use of Oxalic Acid Workshop Recording

If you missed our Extended Use of Oxalic Acid for Mite Mitigation workshop this week the recording is available to VBA members (along with many others) online. Simply login to the site and look under the Calendar menu.

Jack Rath describes the preparation and use of OAE and answers questions. The data sheet from the Vermont AAFM that Jack references in the presentation is available here. There have been two changes which may make it a preferred method for Vermont beekeepers. It now can be used with honey supers on. Vermont now has in place a 2EE authorization for Oxalic Acid Extended (OAE) use. (This authorization has been rescinded.)

AFB Announcement

American Foul Brood (AFB) has been confirmed in hives located within 5 miles of Chester, Vermont. Traceback investigation is underway and appears to have been a result of using old frames contaminated with AFB scale.

Registered beekeepers within the 2-mile radius will be contacted by phone. All beekeepers should perform thorough inspections and report any suspect disease to the State Apiculturist Brooke Decker at 802-272-6688.

What Should I Be Doing For My Bees Now?

If you missed Thursday's online workshop it was recorded and is available under our Calendar menu in Past Workshops. (Login required.)

Co-hosted by VBA members, Fred Putnam, Tony Antonucci, and Jeff Battaglini, the program begins with a short presentation on seasonal beekeeping tasks and situations. Following that, an "Ask Me Anything" (about your honey bees) session where the hosts fielded questions from the participants.

"Pesticides Threatening Pollinators, Lawmakers Punt on Limit to Bee-killing Poisons"

So begins an article from the May 19 issue of the Addison Independent featuring Chas Mraz of Champlain Valley Apiaries who expressed dissapointment that H.626 was passed in a watered-down version that "did not ban neonicotinoids — even temporarily."

Spring Management & Reversing Workshop Recording

If you missed Thursday's workshop we recorded it and made it available to VBA members (along with 27 others) online. Simply login to the site and look under the Calendar menu.

This workshop covered the steps you should be taking to manage your colonies in the spring. Swarm control and supering as the nectar begins to flow along with general discussion are included. (The Northeast Beekeeping Calendar is a good reference tool.)

Resources for Land Stewards

The purpose of this resource page is to support the adoption of land management practices that promote the well-being of pollinators. There are many well-described practices that land stewards can take to support honey bee and pollinator health. This web page includes a collection of links to information that is relevant to honey bee and pollinator health in Vermont regional settings.

How, and What, Are We Doing?

Recent Vermont Beekeepers Association (VBA)

Initiatives and Accomplishment

April 2, 2022

Over the past few years, the VBA has taken on an ever-increasing activist role for all of us involved in apiculture in Vermont.

The VBA has continued to develop and strengthen training and information for members and other beekeepers.

We sincerely appreciate the help from VBA members across the state who stepped up to help on Working Groups and Committees dealing with specific efforts.