BCBC Members and Beginner's Course Graduates Hive Visit May 24th
Jeanne Davis has graciously offered her bee yard for a visit on May 24th at 2PM
Bring protective gear, water, and a note pad.
We will be doing a mite count on one of her hives and inspecting others
Jeanne's address is 173 Pratt Road in Pownal (Off Ladd Road on the east side of Route 7 south, before the Route 346 intersection)
Parking is limited on the gravel driveway so be considerate when parking
We will see you there
Vermont Beekeepers Association (VBA) Mentoring Program
The VBA has a mentoring program for new beekeepers. We’re highlighting that effort as the beekeeping season begins.
The VBA is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive mentorship experience for all participants. We recognize that beekeepers have diverse goals, backgrounds, identities, and preferences, and we strive to make pairings that best support individual needs.
While we cannot guarantee specific matches, we encourage participants to share any preferences or considerations in their initial application so we can make every effort to accommodate them. Our goal is to ensure that both mentors and mentees feel comfortable, respected, and set up for a positive and productive experience.
The mentoring program focuses on Phase 2 beekeeping knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the VBA Training Program under the “Member Benefits” menu on the VBA website.
One of the important requirements for potential mentees to obtain a VBA mentor, among others, is to complete a beginning beekeeping class with an in-hive component.
A number of classes have already been held, but there are some beginning beekeeping class opportunities remaining.
VBA Mentee Eligibility
Prospective mentees must be a VBA member and must apply online to be part of the VBA Mentorship Program.
Prior to obtaining a VBA mentor, a prospective mentee must:
● Have honey bees, have honey bees on order, or commit to having honey bees by June of the calendar year.
● Register their apiary with the State of Vermont.
● Take a basic course in beekeeping that includes an in-hive component.
● Demonstrate a basic understanding of bee-related topics listed in the Mentoring Program on the VBA website
● Read one or more of these suggested books listed in the Mentoring Program on the VBA website;
● And/or read one or more suggested beekeeping periodicals such as:
Mentoring details
Once paired with a VBA mentor, mentees are expected to:
● Travel to their mentor’s apiary for instructional time and hands-on learning during seasonal beekeeping activities.
● Be respectful of their mentor’s time, availability, and boundaries.
● Communicate clearly and engage actively in the learning process.
● Follow through on mentor recommendations when appropriate.
● Take responsibility for managing their own colonies (mentors provide guidance, not hive management).
● Understand that mentor visits to mentee apiaries are at the mentor’s discretion and should not be expected.
● Communicate any concerns or challenges to the VBA Mentoring Program coordinator listed on the application page.
● If under 18, obtain permission from a parent or guardian, who must be present during visits to the mentor’s apiary.
After you’ve met these basic eligibility requirements, you can apply on the VBA website using the button link to the VBA Mentoring Program
Call for Action
H.739, a bill to ban paraquat
H.739 is a bill to ban the highly toxic herbicide Paraquat which has passed the Vermont Senate, and now goes back to the House for concurrence before heading to the governor's desk.
The Vermont Beekeepers Association supports VPIRG in its efforts to push the House to concur with the Senate's changes to H.739 and we encourage our membership to send a message to their representative(s) urging them to join their colleagues in the Senate and pass H.739, a bill to ban paraquat.
For more information and details on how to contact your representative, visit the link below.
Thank you for your attention,
Bianca Braman
President
Vermont Beekeepers Association
This introductory beekeeping course offers a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on field experience. Topics include bee biology and natural history, choosing and purchasing equipment and bees, integrated pest management, seasonal colony management, and queen grafting.
Class will be held at the UVM horticulture farm and Meach Cove in Shelburne where students will interact with a research and education apiary consisting of over 30 hives. There will also be opportunities for field trips with beekeepers in our community.
Attendance is mandatory for every class as each class serves as the foundation for the next.
Will you get stung? Protective clothing and proper handling techniques greatly reduce the risk of bee stings. However, some bee stings are inevitable. If you have an allergy to bee venom, you should not take the in-person version of this course.
In this online course, students will learn the fundamentals of being responsible stewards of honey bee colonies and the skills to support good decision-making in today’s changing world of beekeeping. This introductory course will cover topics including basic bee biology, the factors driving global pollinator decline, current topics in pollinator research, purchasing equipment, and bees, integrated pest management, and successful strategies for overwintering. Note that the course material will be presented asynchronously. If you are interested in a hands-on beekeeping course, please see "Hands-on Beekeeping".
For any questions about these 2 courses, contact Dr. Sam Alger at
Spring weather issues and impacts on colony development
“Reading” queen cells - 30-day queen development cycle
Recognizing when a colony is ready to swarm and swarm control methods
The latest on Varroa control
Pictures and videos of unmarked queens on frames. Frame scanning tips.
Requires a computer screen or larger tablet/pad. This workshop requires video, preferably a computer screen so the images are roughly real-life size.
May 14th Bennington Beekeepers Club Monthly Meeting
Please join us for the May monthly meeting of the BCBC. It will be held at the Bennington Free Library, starting at 6:30 PM with a meal. Please bring a dish to share as well as your own dish and silverware. (We will have paper plates and plastic utensils available as needed).
