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Vermont Beekeepers Association News Feed

Since 1886 the VBA has promoted the general welfare of Vermont's Honey Industry, while sustaining a friendly body of unity among the state's beekeepers.
  1. Things to know before you buy equipment!

    If you missed our latest new beekeeper workshop, the recording is available for VBA members under our Calendar menu - look for Past Events & Workshop Recordings. (Login required.) The Powerpoint presentation from the program is available here for everyone - non-members too.

    Whether you are just beginning your beekeeping journey this Spring or have a year or two under your belt but still have questions on equipment and supplies, you won’t want to miss this workshop. It provides an overview on the basics of a wide range of topics from where to locate your hives and buy your bees to choices of equipment and pest control supplies, along with many other important topics.

    Presented by VBA's Fred Putnam and Robin Foldesy.

  2. Tuesday, February 27, 2024 10:30 AM -  12:00 PM ET

    Vermont State House,
    Cedar Creek Room,
    115 State St,
    Montpelier, VT 05633

    Get Directions

    VPIRG has been working with several beekeeping groups to organize this lobbying event and appreciates all the beekeepers’ interest in attending the Swarm the Statehouse event to help advance the H. 706 anti-neonicotinoids bill. We hope that all the attention will push it successfully out of committee and to the Senate. More information about the Protect Our Pollinators Coalition can be found here. Optional registration may be found here.

    If attending, make your way to the Cedar Creek Room by 10:30 AM. A press conference will then start promptly at 11:00. The Cedar Creek Room is 2nd floor, room F on this map. (Please get back to Anna Suberling, aseuberling@vpirg.org with a few sentences for their press release offering support of H.706 and/or concern for pollinator decline.)

    "This is a great chance for all those who are concerned about pollinators and the overuse of toxic neonic pesticides in Vermont to "swarm" the State House and make their voices heard. It's time to create some positive buzz around H.706, which is the bill to phaseout the use of 80-90% of all neonics in the state. The bill could get a vote in the key House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Services very soon. So, now's the time to talk with your Reps and tell them why you care about bees, birds, and other pollinators!" 

  3. VTDigger Logo RGB.pngElena Mihaly, vice president of Conservation Law Foundation Vermont says "It’s time for Vermont to protect its pollinators, farmers and food system." Her commentary in today's VTDigger describes how "Neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds dominate Vermont’s working landscape."

    Please continue to follow this issue, the related H-706,  and contact your local legislators. Talk with them about our concerns. If you have any questions or need further information please contact us.

    (Updated 7pm) An article posted this evening provides more information: Vermont lawmakers consider banning pesticide class to help insect pollinators.

  4. Remember your first of year of beekeeping? I remember mine! It was filled with lots of questions and plenty of uncertainty as I embarked on each new task or procedure.

    Even though I attended classes, referred to books and articles, and joined VBA webinars, a question or challenge always seemed to arise that I wasn’t sure how to address. Fortunately, I managed to find VBA members whom I could turn to clarify my confusion. That was 6 years ago. But now, the VBA will soon be launching a new service, called the New Beekeepers Helpline, to make it easy for new VBA beekeepers to connect quickly with experienced beekeepers, known as “Advisors,” who will answer their questions. This brand new virtual service will start in early March. Details will be available then. At this time, the VBA is looking to add experienced beekeepers to its roster of Advisors who would be willing to answer questions by email or over the phone. A minimum of two seasons of beekeeping, including bringing colonies through two winters, is required. Please consider serving as an Advisor and paying forward the favors you received in your first year. For further information on the Helpline and to volunteer, contact me at rfoldesy@comcast.net. -- Robin Foldesy

  5. 2024 Winter Meeting Recognition Recipients

    The Vermont Beekeepers Association recognized a number of people for their contributions to beekeeping at the VBA Winter Meeting in Hinesburg this past weekend. (Previous recipients are listed here.)

     Congratulations to all recipients and those nominated in the following categories:

    green munkres

    Read More …

  6. vpirg chestnutScott Sanderson, Conservation Law Foundation (at left), and State Rep. Robin Chestnut-Tangerman (D) spoke about the newly introduced H-0706, a proposed bill relating to banning the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in Vermont.

    Read More …

  7. Tuesday evening's workshop, New and Prospective Beekeeper Orientation Plus First Year Winter Hive Inspections, was recorded and is now available for members by logging in to the VBA website and choosing Past Workshops & Events Recordings under the Calendar menu.

    The first part of this presentation provides an overview of what it takes to get started in beekeeping. For new beekeepers who are overwintering hives for the first time, the second part describes how to inspect hives during the winter and what to look for. Presented by Robin Foldesy, Colin Whitehouse & Fred Putnam.

    The Tuesday morning panel discussion with Quebec farmers on Transitioning Away From Neonic Treated Seeds was recorded and can be found here - no login required. (Presented by the University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Bee Lab.)
  8. HBHC Nutrition Guide Cover Image 1The Honey Bee Health Coalition has released the latest comprehensive Honey Bee Nutrition Guide.

    The guide, free to distribute, is a "manual for supplemental feeding in bee hives, giving beekeepers a simple approach to the complex and nuanced world of honey bee nutrition."

    You can download the guide here, by clicking on the image or by visiting the Honey Bee Health Coalition.