Vermont Beekeepers Association

Apiology

Apiology – (from Latin apis, "bee"; and Ancient Greek -λογία, -logia) is the scientific study of honey bees.

Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey Bees Worldwide

Varroa is also a highly efficient vector of honey bee viruses and drives changes in virus distribution, prevalence, and virulence.

More:Varroa Vector

Effect of Bodily Fluids from Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Larvae on Growth and Genome-Wide Transcriptional Response of the Causal Agent of American Foulbrood Disease (Paenibacillus larvae)

Paenibacillus larvae, the causal agent of American Foulbrood Disease (AFB), affect honey bee health worldwide.

More:AFB

Efficacy in the Varroa Mite, Varroa destructor, within commercial beekeeping operations

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor and the associated viruses it transmits are responsible for most instances of honey bee colony losses in the United States. As such, beekeepers utilize miticides to control Varroa populations. Widespread resistance has developed to the miticides fluvalinate and coumaphos. However, Varroa has largely maintained susceptibility to amitraz despite a long and extensive use history.

More:Amitraz

Coronavirus stings world's top honey makers with China beekeepers locked down

BEIJING (Reuters) - Beekeepers in China, the world's top honey producer, are bracing for a bleak start to the key spring pollinating season as travel curbs aimed at containing a coronavirus outbreak keep them at home while their bees go without food for weeks.

More: CoronaVirus

Functional Properties of Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly

Honey, propolis, and royal jelly, products originating in the beehive, are attractive ingredients for healthy foods. Honey has been used since ancient times as part of traditional medicine.

More: Propolis

What You Need to Know (And What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD

You may have noticed that cannabidiol (CBD) seems to be available almost everywhere, and marketed as a variety of products including drugs, food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and animal health products.

More:Cannabis

A mathematical model of honey bee colony dynamics to predict the effect of pollen on colony failure

The decline in colony populations of the honey bee, known as the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), is a global concern. Numerous studies have reported possible causes, including pesticides, parasites, and nutritional stress.

More: Pollen Model

Beekeeping in Vermont

VBA's Testimony on H.205 - Feb. 20, 2019

VBA's initial testimony on H.205 - Regulation of Neonicotinoid Pesticides - is presented here for your review. (PDF file.)

VBA member Chas Mraz reports the committee was receptive to working with VBA to improve the bill. The board of directors will continue to meet on this issue and will publish their suggestions when finalized.

VBA member Bill MAre's testimony is also provided for your review.

Details: Last Updated: 21 February 2019 21 February 2019

WCB Organizational Meeting

Forty people attended Saturday afternoon’s organizational meeting of the new Windham County Beekeepers!

Great discussion, great plans and a great start for what looks to be an important addition to local ag!

Congrats to Jeff Battaglini and Lesley Weisbrot for organizing this and to all who attended! (Jeff and the crowd pictured.)

Details: Last Updated: 17 February 2019 17 February 2019

VBA 2019 Winter Meeting Minutes Posted

VBA Members: The minutes and program summary from the 2019 Winter Meeting meeting have been posted in the Members Only area of the VBA website. Please check them out!

Details: Last Updated: 16 February 2019 16 February 2019

Beekeeping in Oaxaca, Mexico

Help Oaxaca Escuela Secondaria Tecnica No. 14

Paul Yanus passed this note along concerning an effort Mike Palmer is supporting.

"Mike Palmer is trying to raise money to help Oaxaca, Mexico students buy beekeeping equipment that he personally saw that was needed by them.
Mike writes “The school is trying to educate these children, with few resources. The bee boxes are rotten. The extractor is a rust bucket. They’re handling Africanized bees with falling apart bee suits and veils with rotten screens.

Details: Last Updated: 14 February 2019 14 February 2019

Risk Management Programs

Vermont Beekeepers 2019 Crop Year

Jake Jacobs, Crop Insurance Education Coordinator at UVM's Department of Community Development and Applied Economics presented at the VBA's 2019 Winter Meeting.

She provided us with the attached handout describing how beekeepers in Vermont have a number of options available to help manage risk.

Details: Last Updated: 17 February 2019 17 February 2019

Legislation: H. 205 - ACTION REQUESTED

Regulation of Neonicotinoid Pesticides

Here is the link to the new bill introduced on 02/12/19. It affects Vermont Beekeepers. Please read it and use the VBA forums to post your thoughts. There is a forum post already created specifically for this bill.

The VBA wants to hear from you and your responses can help us draft a position paper. (VBA members, login to the VBA website and join the discussion here.)

The Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday, February 19, to discuss H.205.

Details: Last Updated: 17 February 2019 17 February 2019

NEW: Windham County Beekeepers Club!

The Vermont Beekeepers Association welcomes the new Windham County Beekeepers Club!

The club's inaugural meeting is this Saturday, February 16 at the Moore Public Library in Newfane, VT and is open to all.

Let's make a point of attending and welcoming this newest addition to our fold! Visit http://windhamcountybeekeepers.com/ for more information.

Details: Last Updated: 11 February 2019 11 February 2019

Updated Library Listings

VBA Members: The list of materials available for you to borrow from the VBA Lending Library has been updated. (It's been a few years!)

Simply login to the site and choose Members Only, then Library to see the offerings. Make your selection and let the librarian know and we'll send it to you. You're only responsible for postage when mailing the item back.

And, we're working on an update to the website where you'll be able to check out materials directly online and buy a postage paid mailing label for your return.