Bee Package Ordering
Club members in good standing may order starting 2/24 (not before).
Non-Members may order starting 3/10.
Please see the package policy here for all ordering information.
A welcome message from our new Program Director, Matthew J. Leighton
Out of all the opportunities a PCBA member can explore, interactions supporting each other and drawing upon the members' breadth of experience have been personally valuable to my beekeeping journey. Yes, 2022 was my first year, turning the corner from a timid, want to keep bees, to a confident beekeeper with a thirst to learn more. Our club has afforded access to local beekeepers, knowledge to be a successful and responsible beekeeper, informative forums, meetings and workshops and community outreach. Engagement has also allowed me to begin building social connections that enrich my life and those I have had the opportunity to meet.
Of course, I have a steep learning curve to build relationships and facilitate programs that incorporate several different types of speakers/topics into our monthly meetings. If you are interested in presenting a topic, serving on a Q&A panel or have a presenter recommendation or program suggestions, I am raising my hand, asking for help. Know something about package installs and spring management (consider joining the Q&A Panel in April). Have something to share for overwintering, join the September Q&A session. Have honey, contribute your finest to the fall honey tasting event. Matthew Leighton, greenacresbeekeeping@gmail.com, (617) 335-4799.
Members are encouraged to attend our monthly meetings, taking advantage of the diversity of topics and opportunities to meet others interested in beekeeping – check out the newsletter calendar for details. The monthly meetings are generally held, 4th Wednesday of the month, 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the club house, 228 High St., Hanson MA. Always check the website or email for the most current information. If you are not a member and are interested in attending one of the meetings, please contact Lisa, our president at LMaguirePCBA@gmail.com.
May you have success with your 2023 beekeeping goals.
Worcester County Beekeeper Spring Conference
Date: March 04, 2023
-
Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Location: LIFESONG CHURCH, 65 GILMORE DRIVE, SUTTON, MA
The Worcester County and Hampden County beekeepers are once again sponsoring their annual Big Name Speakers Program bringing in two of the nation’s top apicultural scientists to speak on and enhance our knowledge of honeybees in order allow us to become better beekeepers by learning about the new research on honeybees. We have Dr Jeff Pettis, and Dr Geoffrey Williams each presenting 2 topics on the latest research on honeybees so that we can better manage your colonies whether it be 1 colony or hundreds of colonies. You can see the titles and descriptions of the talks below that certainly cover the knowledge base that we as beekeepers need. There is no cost with the exception of the $13 dollar luncheon catered by Buggy Whip Catering (description below). We have chosen topics which brand new beekeepers and longtime beekeepers will find applicable in their beekeeping management. I highly recommend that you attend this meeting on Saturday, March 4, for the sake of your bees if nothing else! They certainly need your management skills on mites, pesticide effects, and brood diseases more than ever before which the talks focus on. Hope to see you there.
Best,
Ken Warchol
Mass Bee Spring 2023 Meeting
Come join our hosts in Essex County on March 18th at the historic Topsfield Fairgrounds.
Hosted by:
- Essex County Beekeepers Association
- Massachusetts Beekeepers Association
Essex County Beekeepers Association, Coolidge Hall
Topsfield Fairgrounds, 207 Boston Street, U.S. Route 1, Topsfield, MA 01983
Presenters
Dr. Kim Skyrm our Chief Apiary Inspector from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Apiary Program will be giving us an update on the Apiary Program's plans and events for 2023. MDAR
Dr. David Peck from BetterBee and Cornell University will be giving presentations on extended-release oxalic acidand varroa history, biology, and year-round management.
From Professor Lynn Adler's lab at the University of Massachusetts; Dr. Jenny VanWyk and PhD student Seanne Clemente will be giving presentations.
Vendors
Vendor Vendor Note
BetterBee Free shipping of your order to the meeting.
Dadant & Sons Dadant is offering a 10% discount (and free shipping) on Pre-Meeting orders CALLED INTO the Pennsylvania Dadant office. To place your orders call 570- 980-9831. Space is limited so place your orders EARLY!
Dr. Bill's Bees - The Glove Guy Free shipping of your order to the meeting.
Union Bee Company Union, CT. Free shipping of your order to the meeting.
Solution Bee Raleigh, NC Free shipping of your order to the meeting.
