Dear Subscribers,
I am writing this on an auspicious day as the events swirl around us concerning the 10th anniversary of 9/11. At a church service this morning, little was said about that day. Instead it was pointed out that the United States dropped an atom bomb on
Hiroshima, obliterating the city a little more than a month ago, August 6, way back in 1945. Both events changed history and also have similarities that are difficult to ignore. Part and parcel of this is the fact that a time of healing still continues for these occurrences that are over 60 years apart. Concurrently, a glance around the world reveals similar incidents, usually on a much smaller scale, but no less tragic, occurring with what appears to be increasing frequency. It all brings to mind, the lyrics of that great refrain "when will they (we) ever learn." Unfortunately, most humans do indeed know the costs of conflict, yet it continues. The biological, tribal tendency to divide into groupings is difficult to eradicate in any biological species it seems.
General warfare in honey bees is not unknown. Much more prevalent in other social insects such as ants and in some cases termites, the tendency for the Africanized honey bee hybrid to overrun colonies of European bees is well known. One of the reasons many people become beekeepers is because they are intrigued by what appears to be a group of insects seamlessly interacting with each other, producing miracles out of what looks like chaos. As human bee managers are we looking to see what it is in these social insects that might help humanity "learn" better about the value of cooperation? The evidence suggest this is so. Just look at the number of philosophers and others of "the cloth" who have looked to beekeeping as a way forward towards increased productivity and peace.
We give thanks in Gainesville, Florida that both hurricanes Irene and Lee missed us. We could have used their rains, of course, but not at the expense of catastrophic flooding that occurred in the Northeast. It occurred to me that EAS is due to meet in Vermont, reportedly one of the worst hit areas, in the summer of 2012. There was damage to
some apiaries, but so far the
convention does not appear to be affected.
I will miss this month's meeting of
Apimondia in Buenos Aires. The decision is tough for me, as my heart definitely lies with beekeepers in Latin America, where I started my career by looking at beekeeping in Yucatan, Mexico followed by visiting many other countries in the region, including Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia and Costa Rica. However, neither my schedule nor my finances at the moment will allow me to attend. I hope any of the readership that goes will send me a report of this meeting to share with the rest of us that won't make it.
National Honey Bee Day was a great success in Florida. A number of groups went all out to educate the public about honey bees and beekeeping. I participated in the event held at Dadant & Sons, Inc. wharehouse in High Springs, Florida, hosted by the
Alachua County Beekeepers Club A national web site listed
activities by state. Get your group on board soon for next year's event.
On the heels of National Honey bee day each year comes September and National Honey Month. See many of the details and events associated with
The National Honey Board. Ann Harman also discusses this in her monthly Bee Culture Column.
A colleague sent me a copy of Randy Oliver's The Rules Redux when it comes to beekeeping. This is a compelling piece of work, but I can't find the specific document on his
web site. However, something similar is found in a
closely-related paper. These rules should bee within every beekeeper's reach as they consider hive management issues.
Mary Cahill-Roberts,
maryc7@aol.com, MN, CPNP, Journeyman Beekeeper, GA and Certified Welsh Honey Judge sends the following: "I have read your Apis Newsletter for the past several years and appreciate the vast amount of knowledge that you bring to your subscribers. Thank you."
"As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for 19 years and a Beekeeper for 4 years I am happy to hear about the education program my professional Organization is entering into with the National Honey Board. In my work I am very interested in Autism. The
National Autism Society is looking at other exposures like pesticides and heavy metals in our environment that may be a cause for the increase in Autism, besides genes. They believe that Autistic kids have a metabolic imbalance that makes them more fragile and when they are exposed to certain factors then the Autism is exhibited.
"Since I started beekeeping and learning about bees, I can't help but think that there might be some connection between the decline in bees and how more kids are affected by Autism. All because of the environment and the chemicals we put in our ground and water. Bees are having a hard time detoxing, more and more kids are being affected by Autism, possibly because of the environment and detoxification. I would love to hear your thoughts."
The link between declining honey bees and more humans affected by autism is a stretch for me. If any readers have ideas about this, let me hear them and I will inform the readership.
A post to the TECA discussion list (subscribe at
teca@fao.org) concerns Varroa in Africa: "The presence of Varroa destructor in Sub-Saharan Africa appears to worry most of us who love and cherish bees for different reasons. The truth is that experts have found enough evidence to suggest that this mite is present in honeybee colonies in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Madagascar. And many countries are on the suspect list." Fortunately, there's not much evidence yet that the mite is adversely affecting honey bees south of the Sahara. At the forthcoming 42nd International Apicultural Congress Apimondia 2011 in Argentina, ApiTrade Africa will present a paper on the status of Varroa mite in Africa. The paper will share information from different African countries and draw some useful lessons from any initiatives taken so far. You are welcome to join the discussion in Buenos Aires. The
paper will also be posted on TECA platform for those who will miss Apimondia 2011."
The 2011 North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Youth & Youth Educator Grant Call for Proposals and Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals is now
available. These grants are a part of the Farmer Rancher Grant Program. Their purpose is to provide opportunities for youth in the North Central Region to learn more about Sustainable Agriculture. Sustainable agriculture is good for the environment, profitable, and socially responsible. A total of approximately $34,000 is available for this program.
There are two options:
1. YOUTH GRANTS. These grants are for on-farm research, demonstration, or education projects by youth ages 8-18. Research and demonstration projects are for hands-on efforts to explore Sustainable Agriculture issues and practices. Education projects can involve teaching others about Sustainable Agriculture or attending a Sustainable Agriculture conference, workshop, or camp. $400 maximum.
2. YOUTH EDUCATOR GRANTS. These are grants for educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. $2,000 maximum.
January 12, 2012 is the deadline. Interested applicants can find the call for proposals online as well as useful information for completing a proposal at http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Types-of-Grants/Youth-and-Youth-Educator-Grant-Program.
SAVE THE DATE!! The 15th ANNUAL CHARLES MRAZ APITHERAPY COURSE AND CONFERENCE (CMACC), takes place NOVEMBER 4 – 6, 2011 in NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: The international gathering is intended for beekeepers, researchers, holistic health practitioners, and all who are interested in this ancient practice of using beehive products (honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom and more) to support health. For the first time ever, there will be two concurrent tracks to the education: Level One, for those new to apitherapy or wanting a basic review, and Level Two, for those who are experienced and want more advanced information and practical workshops. The American Apitherapy Society www.apitherapy.org is a 501c3 not-for-profit membership organization. Save $100 by registering before September 23, 2011.
A
Catch the Buzz entry reports something that is shocking, but not surprising. It looks like insect pests are becoming resistant to (genetically modified Organisms) GMOs, plants that produce the insecticide BT (Bacillus thuriengiensis) Ooops! Now what? In
another development concerning GMOs, a European court has declared that honey contaminated with genetically modified (GM) crops would need full safety approval and would have to be labeled as GM. Environmental group Friends of the Earth Europe says the ruling opens the way for Europe’s laws on GM crops to be strengthened. This is considered a victory for beekeepers, consumers and the movement for GM-free agriculture in Europe.
Research proposals are now being solicited for the next go around of National Honey Board research on
bee health. The deadline for this round is
December 15,2011.
Check out the selected links at
http://publish2.com. There are number of entries on urban beekeeping, including China. Also included are articles on nutrition, and deregulation of some honey sales in Florida.
Sales of
Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees at Amazon.com reveal an average of about 200 books sold every 2 weeks on a consistent basis. The latest report reveals that "445 copies were sold between July 11, 2011 and September 4, 2011." Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and New York lead the list in number of copies sold in this period. The book seeks to put Varroa in a special place that other volumes do not. And comments by many of the readers of this newsletter have resulted in vignettes appearing in the volume that seek "to cajole, persuade, empathize and generally encourage" beekeepers in their activity.
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Gleanings from the September 2011 edition of
Bee Culture :
Remember that Bee Culture continues to be available in a
digital edition:
And now Editor Flottum has implemented the
Bee Culture Blog, Thinking outside the box
Roberta Thirsk, Adell, WI writes that she is finally a beekeeper. Alison Edgerly compliments Bee Culture in "growing the next generation of beekeepers." Bostjan Noe, President of the Beekeeping Association of Slovenia describes the association's
Save The Bees Campaign. Dave Loken, Edmonton, Canada reports on efforts to make beekeeping in his city legal along with other small-scale agriculture.
Editor Flottum reports the unthinkable in his Inner Cover. Jim Tew and his long-standing lab technician, Sherry Ferrell, are
retiring from The Ohio State University OARDC campus in Wooster, OH, formerly Ohio's Agricultural Technical Institute. Read about the long-standing relationship between Kim and Jim as they shared beekeeping adventures over the years, even including an automobile accident. I, too, have stories to tell about Dr. Tew, but none would compare with him telling them himself as Kim points out. Fortunately, he will continue to offer his column in Bee Culture. So, kind of like me, reports of Jim's retirement are suspect. He really isn't retiring from honey bees, and we will be all the richer for that. Look for new social media information from Jim as he branches out, including a brand new e-mail address:
tewbee2@gmail.com.
The U.K. manufacturer
B. J. Sherriff has come out with two new hoods, one is of fine mesh that will keep midges and noseeums. The other is called "Handy Hood," designed for quick placement and removal. If you see him at Apimondia, give him my regards.
Clarence Collison and Audrey Sheridan continue their "closer look" series by describing flower marking by honey bees. Read how this occurs not only in attracting bees, but repelling them.
Zachary Wang takes on Nosema as part of the Managed Pollinator CAP Coordinated Agricultural Project. Read about the two Nosemas and how they compare. This is a complicated story that continues to be analyzed by beekeepers and researchers.
Andrew Pruett makes the case for beekeepers to get excited and make some phone calls to get land classified as "Bee Pasture." He provides the potential tax breaks in a Wisconsin example and suggests other states might have similar programs.
Roger Hoopingarner continues his series on "To Be or Not to Bee," with an article on the miracle of honey bee flight. Read about the how the flight muscles are designed to get 200-300 beats per second through indirect use of the exoskeleton.
Jim Tew confirms his "retirement" embarking on a description of the Doolittle queen rearing method and ancillary procedures in this edition of Bee Culture, including establishing mating nuclei.
Michael Burgett calculates what beekeepers should charge in the next pollination season. Read his latest Pacific Northwest Honey Bee Pollination Economics Survey survey in a long line dating back to 1986.
Barbara Boyd writes from Italy about sensory analysis of honey. Read how complex this can be using a color and aroma wheel.
Larry Connor muses over a single clover plant growing outside his spare bedroom window. Read where this takes him and why this plant causes some confusion in the beekeeping community.
Ann Harman says it's time to sell honey, especially during National Honey Month. Consider events in your community like a local honey festival. See what
Lithopolis is doing. Get started now for next year!
Connie Krochmal provides a list of trees that are good nectar producers. Read about basswood, catalpa, maple, tulip poplar and tupelo. One anecdote in Florida beekeeping concerns, tulip poplar and tupelo. Once an extensive nectar source in Alabama, tulip poplar trees were mostly cut for timber during WWII; beekeepers seeing this resource dwindle had little choice but to move to nearby Florida, where the tupelo flourished and was out of reach of the ax at that time.
Editor Flottum visits
Henry's Honey Farm in Wisconsin. Read the history of the outfit and one secret of its success, storage sheds in every yard.
Peter Seiling saves brood from cutouts using pogo sticks. Read how this is done and why it's superior to other methods currently in use.
Ross Englehart shows readers how to handle
catawampus combs, while Colin Taylor explains using a dummy board to ensure good comb.
In All the News That Fits, there are two obituaries, O.T. Atkins Stroope of Texas and Walter Diehnelt of Wisconisn. "Wally" was one of beekeeping's most dynamic innovators, especially when it came to honey. His
Honey Acres is a five-generation business that continues to this day. Research reported here reveals how seeds "decide" to germinate and bees as environmental sensors in the Berlin airport. Other topics include funny jelly in New Zealand, bee losses in the United Kingdom, identifying colonies under stress, and the Asian bee debate in Australia. Finally read an analysis of the drought that continues across the nation's midsection and elsewhere and what this might mean for honey production.
Ed Colby on the Bottom Board relates several stories of misunderstanding with his sweetheart. Read how he patched things up and got her to monitor mites in spite of several stinging incidents.
Sincerely,
Malcolm T. Sanford
beeactor@apisenterprises.com
http://apis.shorturl.com
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