Club meetings are free and open to the public. Below is the upcoming schedule — check back as it is updated frequently.
Meetings (usually) take place on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. They take place at the Kalamazoo Nature Center, 7000 North Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, MI at 6:30 pm.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at 6:30 p.m.
Mel Disselkoen
Mel strives to identify and then direct the natural behaviors and seasonal reproductive cycles of the honeybee colony toward a profitable objective for the beekeeper in a way that simultaneously benefits the colony. A Master Beekeeper, he has kept bees for over 40 years and is familiar with all facets of beekeeping. In 1988, he authored I.M.N. System of Queen Rearing to document his discovery which eventually developed into OTS (on-the-spot) Queen Rearing, a beekeeping management method that fundamentally transformed the entire queenrearing paradigm.
Here is a link to Mel’s latest book:
http://www.mdasplitter.com/docs/2016/Update-January/2016-FINAL-OTS-PAGES-FOR-WEBSITE.pdf
And an interesting document summarizing his activities in 2017: http://www.mdasplitter.com/docs/OTS-Seasonal-Summary-2017.pdf
Mel‘s email address: mdasplitter@sbcglobal.net and website: http://www.mdasplitter.com/index.php
May is a great time to talk splits, maybe Mel has some new information he wants to share on OTS, the environment and being a beekeeper in 2018.
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Wednesday, June 13th, 2018, at 6:30
Michael Hansen
Each year, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Divisions inspects thousands of honey bee hives and issues health certificates for out of state movement of bee colonies.
The inspections ensure that hives are free from parasites and diseases and provides beekeepers with access to Southern states where most of Michigan’s commercial beekeepers overwinter their bees.
Michigan’s beekeepers may pollinate southern crops such as almonds in California, but mostly bees are moved south to protect them from our harsh winters and prepare them for pollination of Michigan crops early each spring. MDARD inspections often include participation in the National Honey Bee survey which is aimed at detecting unknown honey bee diseases, pests or races. Honeybees are vital to the long-term health of Michigan’s $96 billion food and agriculture industry.
Michael will come to Kalamazoo and talk to us about the role of the state apiarist, inspections we are authorized to conduct in Michigan, along with plenty of time for Q&A.
This video walks you through the inspection process and features Mike Hansen, state apiarist: https://youtu.be/LjzqT1SyCRc
No club meeting in July!
We will meet in the Apiary instead because there is so much to see and learn there!
More information on the apiary page.
Wednesday, August 1st , 2018, at 6:30
Barbara Bloetscher, from the Ohio Department of Agriculture
Barbara Bloetscher was hired full time as the State Entomologist/Apiarist at the Ohio Department of Agriculture after working on a half-time basis with OSU since June, 2009. As State Entomologist, she oversees the Apiary Program and identifies insects found in Ohio. Barb monitors the County Apiary Inspection Program and addresses honeybee issues in the state.
Barb has worked for OSU Extension for 23 years identifying insects and agronomic problems for the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic, then recently coordinated the OSU School IPM Program. She has been interested in insects since childhood and kept bees as a hobby over 30 years. Barb is a long-time member of The Ohio Lepidopterists as well as Central Ohio Beekeepers and other insect-related associations. She enjoys landscaping for pollinators and learning about insects.
Barbara will talk to us about small hive beetles and other pests invading our hives, along with plenty of time for Q&A.