This will be a lecture style workshop discussing the causes of and reasons for honeybee swarms, how to manage and reduce the swarm impulse in your own colonies, how to make splits (artificial swarms) and how to capture swarms once they have left the colony.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of how to assess their colonies’ swarm preparations, how to make a split, what to have on hand to be ready to capture swarms, and how to make a “Swarm Trap.”

Each registered Participant will leave the workshop with one plant pot style swarm trap ready for use in his or her own apiary.

The purpose of this workshop is to begin educating our membership in methods of sustainable apiary management and prevention of nuisance bee issues.

• If you have bee related products (supplies, books, tools, wax, etc.) you wish to sell or swap, please bring ’em in! 
• Please remember that this is not a craft fair, although maybe not a bad idea for the future (?)
• To prevent risk of spread of disease, do not bring in used equipment that could be contaminated. Please bring in unused equipment or sterilized equipment. For example, used hive tools, etc. are okay if they are clean/sterilized.  In particular, as it is the biggest threat, do not bring in used supers or frames, regardless!  The guard bees will bee watching!
• If you are bringing items, Please arrive at 6PM so we can get setup. Please do not arrive later than 6:10PM.
• We will use the picnic tables in the room to display the items.
• Bring a table cloth or sheet to spread on the tables to protect them and make your items “pop” out for your “customer”. Tools, in particular, may scratch the tables.
• If you have one or just a few items, you can share a table with someone or a few people.

• Please bring something tasty to share for eating or drinking
• If wondering, Crock pot meals are good for Pot Luck meals…but not exclusively so!

• Swap & Shop Table setup. 
• Ensuring everyone gets a Name Tag
• Ensuring Food Table is organized

Cumberland County Cooperative Extension is pleased to offer the most comprehensive Beekeeping Education program in Maine. With three levels of beekeeping instruction provided by Certified Master Beekeepers, we have programs for beekeepers of all levels.

This year, we are offering four Beginning Bee Schools, two in the fall and two in the spring. This is great for new beekeepers, prior to their first year of bees, or is a great refresher course for beekeepers just now going into their first winter, and even those with a couple of years of experience who want to refresh their skills and knowledge.

Intermediate School (Apiary Management) is geared towards beekeepers with 2+ years of experience. The focus of this class is how to effectively manage an apiary under Maine conditions. It will include how to keep your colonies healthy and thriving, and how to meet the goals you have with your bees such as swarm prevention, honey production, colony maximization. This intermediate level class is focused on IPM strategies for keeping healthy colonies utilizing the honey bees own natural cycles as a guide.

Advanced Intermediate School (new this year) is designed for accomplished beekeepers with 5+ years of experience or those who have already taken Intermediate Bee School. Completion of an Intermediate Bee School or instructor permission is a prerequisite for this course. This class will discuss advanced topics such as backyard queen rearing, mating nuc management, advanced nuc management, advanced swarm management. live colony removal, managing multiple yards, and more.

For more information and registration:

http://umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/beekeeping-course-schedule-in-cumberland-county/

CCBA President Jack Hildreth
CCBA Treasurer Peter Richardson
Mark Cooper
Larry Pfeiffer
Phil Gaven

Congratulations to all!

September 4: Tony Jadczyk, Fall Management

October 2, Matt Scott, On Bears

Presenter: Master Beekeeper Erin MacGregor-Forbes

How to Make Summer Nucs - Hands-on Workshop

This will be a hands-on workshop utilizing the Cumberland County Beekeepers Association’s club hives to make 4 summer nucs for the purpose of wintering over for following year use. (Two nucs per each full sized colony.)

Northern raised queens from Michael Palmer of French Hill Apiaries will be utilized to head the newly made colonies.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of making their own summer nucs as well as receive instruction on preparing the new colonies for wintering.

Divided nuc box and homasote inner covers

Each registered Participant will leave the workshop with two queens and one divided hive body so they can make up their own nucs in their home apiary.   This requires at least one strong healthy queenright colony in the beekeeper’s own yard.

This workshop is not designed for first year beekeepers.  2+ years of beekeeping experience is recommended.  (Divided nuc box and homasote inner covers only will be provided.  Beekeeper will also need a bottom board (preferably solid) and a telescoping cover.)

The purpose of this workshop is to begin educating our membership in methods of sustainable apiary management, as facilitated by wintering nucleus colonies.

The workshop price includes two queens and one divided hive body to contain the nucs.

Participation is limited to 20 people.

Swarm Prevention, Management, and Capture

Hands-on Workshop

Wednesday April 25th, 2013
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Location: Mabel I. Wilson School, North Yarmouth Maine

Presenter: Erin MacGregor-Forbes, Master Beekeeper

Swarm Trap

This will be a lecture style workshop discussing the causes of, and reasons for, honeybee swarms. How to manage and reduce the swarm impulse in your own colonies, how to make splits (artificial swarms) and how to capture swarms once they have left the colony.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of how to assess their colonies’ swarm preparations, how to make a split, what to have on hand to be ready to capture swarms, and how to make a “Swarm Trap.”

Each registered participant will leave the workshop with one plant pot style swarm trap ready for use in his or her own apiary.

The purpose of this workshop is to begin educating our membership in methods of sustainable apiary management and prevention of nuisance bee issues.

Cost this year is $35 for Cumberland County Beekeepers Association paid members (a savings of $10 from last years cost) and $45 for non CCBA members and it includes the “swarm trap”.   Participation is limited to 30 registrations. Please use the form below to register or click the link on the MSBA website and use the pay pal function. April 20^th will be the cutoff date for mail in registrations.

May 12th
Mike and Lori Hewitt
North Yarmouth 11 am

Saturday, June 16th
Buzz and Holly Cooper
Windham, ME – 10am
16-18 hives
June 17th will be the rain date – bring a potluck dish

Sunday, July 22nd
Lori Daniels
Falmouth ME – 11 am

Saturday, August 4th
Deb Gideon
Raymond, ME – 11 am

Sunday, September 9th
Peter Richardson hosting
Turkey Hill Farm
Cape Elizabeth – 11:00 am

**If there is a rain cancellation an email will be sent to out via the Google Group by 9am that morning**