State of the Bees
2023 Updates from the Vermont State Apiculturist and the Vermont Bee Lab.At the VBA Summer meeting in Strafford, VT on August 12, 2023, our State Apiculturist Brooke Decker, and her Assistant, Don Gilbert updated us on the 2023 season thus far. You can view their PowerPoint presentation here.
Sydney Miller from the Vermont Bee Lab (VBL) gave another interesting update on the wide range of VBL activities this year. The VBA and a number of VBA members have partnered with the Bee Lab on several fronts. VBL is working with Vermont queen breeders to improve hygienic behavior. The lab is also leading a citizen science project with VBA members on pesticide testing. She summarized these and other VBL activities in this PowerPoint presentation.
2023 Beekeeper of the Year - Andrew Munkres
At the summer meeting of the Vermont Beekeepers Association (VBA) on August 12, 2023, Andrew Munkres, was recognized as the VBA’s Beekeeper of the Year. Few people have had the positive impact on apiculture in Vermont as Andrew Munkres. It’s important to note that the following is only a partial description of the extent of his workload and accomplishments.
For many years, Andrew has made great contributions to the Vermont Beekeepers Association, Vermont beekeepers, and the practice of apiculture in Vermont. It’s not exaggerating to state that his experience and knowledge of the practice and politics of apiculture is encyclopedic. This makes him an especially effective as an educational speaker and unquestionably credible in the broader political and state policy realm.
VAAFM Survey Request
The Agency of Agriculture is requesting information from farms and organizations who were impacted by the flooding and severe weather that occurred between July 7 and 18. The purpose of this survey is to capture the type and scale of the damage suffered by agricultural producers in the state.
Survey data will be used to inform response efforts, effectively allocate resources, and advocate for future relief and recovery programs.
The survey should take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until August 28, 2023. Link to survey: https://forms.office.com/g/VXfb1jGTc4
Mike Palmer’s 50th Anniversary
Internationally known beekeeper Mike Palmer, who began beekeeping in 1974, was celebrated this week in an article published by the St. Albans Messenger. The story tells of a group of 25 beekeepers who helped Mike search for queens and gives a good overview of his contributions to beekeeping.
You can read the story here.
VBA 2023-24 Proposed Budget
VBA Members will be asked to vote on the proposed budget for the 2023-24 year at the upcoming VBA Summer Meeting on August 12th in South Strafford, VT.
The proposed slate of officers, as submitted by the Nominating Committee (Jeff Battaglini, Bill Mares, and Samantha Alger) include:
- For President – Jeff Battaglini
- For Vice President – Bianca Braman
- For Treasurer – Richard Roy (Incumbent)
- For Membership Secretary – Laura Johnson (Incumbent)
- For Recording Secretary – Fred Putnam, Jr. (Incumbent)
- For Director-at-large – James Key (Incumbent)
Remember to register for the meeting!
Colony Losses Due to Flooding
Dear Beekeepers,
First of all, we hope that you are safe during this significant flooding event.
We are hearing reports of flooded and washed away apiaries. Beekeepers experiencing these losses may qualify for support through the USDA FSA ELAP program.
Farmers should assess damages Field by Field and Crop by Crop and reach out to their local USDA Service Centers.
Summer Meeting Guest Speaker
Lincoln Sennett will be our featured speaker at the August 12 Summer Meeting in Strafford, VT. He is a co-owner of Swan’s Honey located in Albion, Maine. This beekeeping operation manages 3,000 – 4,000 colonies between Georgia and Maine. They offer pollination services, nuc sales, and produce and pack their own varietal honeys, including Tupelo, Sourwood, Wild Raspberry, Wild Blueberry, Clover, and Buckwheat.
VBA 2023 Summer Meeting
The 2023 summer meeting of the Vermont Beekeepers Association will be held on Saturday, August 12 at the Barrett Memorial Hall in Strafford, VT.
Directions from most places: I-89 Vermont Exit 2, take Rt. 132 East for about 6.5 miles. Barrett Memorial Hall is located at the junction of Rt. 132 and the Justin Morrill Memorial Highway in Strafford. See the location picture below. If you’re using GPS or mapping apps, the physical address is 248 VT Rte 132, S. Strafford, VT.
It's Not Easy Being a New Beekeeper!
If you're a new beekeeper and missed our recent online workshop - Calling All New and Prospective Beekeepers! - the video recording is available to members by logging in to the VBA website and looking under the Calendar menu for Past Workshops & Events Recordings.
The session was hosted by VBA members, Robin Foldesy and Fred Putnam, who talked about the VBA Training Program, website resources, and upcoming VBA workshops and meetings. They also presented an overview of the ethical and legal requirements of beekeeping. The Powerpoint presentation from the workshop, It's Not Easy Being A New Beekeeper, is available to anyone for review.
VBA 2023 Recognition Program
Submit Your Nomination Today
It’s about you!
Nominations are due by June 30, 2023
The VBA Recognition Program recognizes the efforts of individuals and entities who provide significant support to honeybees, Vermont beekeepers, and the VBA mission. Read about the program and submit your nomination today! Winners will be announced at the VBA Summer Meeting on August 12.
New Resource to Support Pollinators
We often get requests from people wanting to help honey bees and other pollinators.
It’s helpful to create or maintain a habitat with plant species that bloom from Spring through Fall to provide pollinator forage as consistently as possible throughout the growing season. Having abundant forage and propolis sources is critical to honey bees and other pollinators' health.
A new resource based upon university research in New England and tailored to Vermont by Fred Putnam, Jr. and Jeff Cunningham from the Vermont Beekeepers Association can be helpful to homeowners, landowners, land managers, and consultants who wish to plant or retain species helpful to honey bees and other pollinators.
Page 3 of 5
