The early spring is already creating a lot of swarm catching opportunities. They can appear anywhere so keep your eyes open.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Do you want to prepare foods for sale? You might need to take this class first - read on
In-Person Domestic Kitchen Course – April 27 – Nashville
The Domestic Kitchen – Tennessee Food Safety Certification Course will be offered by the Department of Food Science and Technology on April 27, 2012 at the Ellington Agricultural Center Ed Jones Auditorium. The course begins at 8:30am and ends at 4pm CST. Pre-registration is mandatory. There is a $100 registration fee.
Clients planning to attend should mail the attached registration form and a check or money order payable to The University of Tennessee to:
Nancy Austin
The University of Tennessee
Food Science & Technology
2605 River Drive, 116 FSPB
Knoxville, TN 37996-4591
Or they may register and pay on-line with a credit card at https://web.dii.utk.edu/agstore/pc-2692-2411-domestic-kitchen-tennessee-food-safety-certification-course-april-27-2012.aspx
There is an online version of the course available as well.
For further information please contact Nancy Austin at
Phone: 865-974-7717; e-mail: naustin@utk.edu
2012 Agricultural Enhancement Program Applications Available Now
The TN Dept of Agriculture offers cost sharing grants to farmers - including honeybee farmers. Beekeepers are eligible for grant funds for several different focused outcomes.
Applications may be picked up at Extension offices or online at http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/enhancement/index.shtml
Read the application carefully. Applications are due beginning June 1, 2012.
Applications may be picked up at Extension offices or online at http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/enhancement/index.shtml
Read the application carefully. Applications are due beginning June 1, 2012.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Neonicotinoids back in the news as possible contributors to declining honeybees
The discussion continues about whether this class of insecticides have an effect on honeybee decline. The summary provided at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/science/neocotinoid-pesticides-play-a-role-in-bees-decline-2-studies-find.html?_r=3&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=print suggest that exposure makes honeybees vulnerable to disease. As you might expect, there is opposing opinion from others, notably the scientists from Bayer CropScience, the largest producer of neonicotinoids.
Stay tuned for more....
Update: May 23, 2012
Discussion has begun regarding the studies noted in the above links. Some scientists believe the design of the studies was flawed making the inference that neonicotinoids are damaging to honeybees uncertain. As I understand the questions and objections to these studies, those who area objecting are not saying that neonicotinoids may not be damaging to honeybees - they just don't believe that these particular studies do not support the contention that they are killing bees or causing them harm. Stay tuned for more as this story unfolds.
Stay tuned for more....
Update: May 23, 2012
Discussion has begun regarding the studies noted in the above links. Some scientists believe the design of the studies was flawed making the inference that neonicotinoids are damaging to honeybees uncertain. As I understand the questions and objections to these studies, those who area objecting are not saying that neonicotinoids may not be damaging to honeybees - they just don't believe that these particular studies do not support the contention that they are killing bees or causing them harm. Stay tuned for more as this story unfolds.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Cheatham County Beekeeper Survey - Your thoughts?
Hello all,
We are asking you to take a few minutes to take a survey and share your thoughts of how the club can help you be a more knowledgeable and effective beekeeper or bee products creator/user. I estimate it will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. There is one question that is long but I ask you to work through it as this is at the heart of potential topics we might discuss and investigate in the coming months at our meetings.
Your opinion counts and we want to be sure we're targeting topics that you want at the meetings and are providing you with the kind of help you want and need.
Click on this link - the survey should open and be ready for your use: https://qtrial.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_dcd9XLgVBNrHaAs
Only one survey per person please, though we can accept multiple surveys from the same household from different, interested family members.
Please take the survey right now so it doesn't get 'lost' in your mailbox - I'm asking you complete it by April 22, 2012 (in the next 2 weeks) so there will be enough time to look at the results and have them ready for May's meeting.
Thanks to each of you! Your bees will thank you too!
See you next Saturday at the April 14th meeting.
Best wishes and thanks so much!
We are asking you to take a few minutes to take a survey and share your thoughts of how the club can help you be a more knowledgeable and effective beekeeper or bee products creator/user. I estimate it will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. There is one question that is long but I ask you to work through it as this is at the heart of potential topics we might discuss and investigate in the coming months at our meetings.
Your opinion counts and we want to be sure we're targeting topics that you want at the meetings and are providing you with the kind of help you want and need.
Click on this link - the survey should open and be ready for your use: https://qtrial.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_dcd9XLgVBNrHaAs
Only one survey per person please, though we can accept multiple surveys from the same household from different, interested family members.
Please take the survey right now so it doesn't get 'lost' in your mailbox - I'm asking you complete it by April 22, 2012 (in the next 2 weeks) so there will be enough time to look at the results and have them ready for May's meeting.
Thanks to each of you! Your bees will thank you too!
See you next Saturday at the April 14th meeting.
Best wishes and thanks so much!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)