Beekeepers helping Beekeepers:hats off to MP

[berkshire bee]

I just returned from a beekeeper's club meeting in Bennington Vermont. I just wanted to give three cheers to Michael Palmer who was the guest speaker. He shared his enthusiasm, knowledge, and methods for starting nucs for overwintering. He was warm, friendly and kept me on the edge of my seat with interest. I easily filled both sides of a few sheets of notebook paper jotting down notes. Thanks Michael and all who share what they know so that we may all become better beekeepers. berkshire bee

[BjornBee]

I'll be attending a class on February 23rd. that MP will be talking. Looking forward to it.

[Grandpa Jim]

Bjorn, is he going to be speeking at a class in this local area??
Jim

[BjornBee]

Jim,
At the Chester County Beekeepers Association workshop on February 23. Go to www.ChesCoBees.org for more information.
Click on the link that mentions "annual". Info and registration is there.

[Michael Palmer]

Thanks for the kind words, Berkshire. I enjoyed speaking to the group. Always nice to address an enthusiastic bunch. Makes it sooo worth it.

Got home at 1:30, set up a couple barrel heaters in the honey house, and hit the bed. Drive wasn't too bad...but...sherrif patrols everywhere. Only got pulled over once...55 in a 40. Mentioned I had just spoken to a beekeeping group. He immediately wanted to know how the bees were doing now. We both agreed we were getting to old for all this...and he wished me a good evening. Ahh the benefits of being a beekeeper. :-)

Thanks for the plug Bjorn. Looking forward to PA, and seeing the folks there.

Supposed to be in VA in April...11th and 12th?

[Robee]

Hi Michael,
Where in Va?
Rob

[randydrivesabus]

theres a VA State beekeepers meeting in Loudon on those dates.

[Michael Palmer]

You know...I'm not really sure. I think it is the VA Beekeepers meeting. I've only confirmed with John Lewis that I'll be there. He says it's an easy drive from Dulles in DC.

[berkshire bee]

Michael, It would be nice to get to the Northern Berkshire club to continue where you left off and tell us about your queen rearing methods for the nucs. You didn't have time to tell us about your dispatch method either. Our club meets on the fourth tuesday of the month, and feb might work if you're free. We're about 40 minutes SE of Bennington. Could you PM me about your fee? thanks Berkshire

[Michael Palmer]

>You didn't have time to tell us about your dispatch method either.<

You mean what I do with the queen after I split up the hive into nucs? Yeah, I remembered that when I was driving home.

I said, "You don't have to just pop the queen and throw her in the grass."

Remember, after taking away the combs of brood/bees, and much of the honey, you're left with the old queen, field bees, and some combs of honey. You rearrange the remaining combs into one box...even if it's only a medium or two. With a few frames of honey, and a few empties for the queen to lay in, the remnants will build back up. Once the queen has brood again, I requeen it with the last round of queens from my mating nucs.

Is that what you meant?

[berkshire bee]

yes, thanks. check you pm's