APRIL MEETING:
Thursday, May 18, 2023
For Directions, Parking, Address, and other Information about our MEETING LOCATION - CLICK HERE
Beekeeper Helpline, Potluck SNACKS: 6:30 pm - 6:40 pm includes Q&A, mingle, activities, socializing, snacking, prizes/gifts.
New and Experienced beekeepers helping each other with questions, quandaries, and other beekeeping related challenges... followed by our regular meeting (see below). Virginia is not bringing snacks; however, Dennis will bring coffee (and bottled water) and Virginia will bring cups, napkins, utensils. We encourage you to bring snacks if you wish... or if you are inclined to do more you can bring a potluck dinner dish (not required), but will not go to waste. :) NOTE: some members have expressed desire to bring more than snacks. You are more than welcome to bring potluck dinner sides (pizza, main or side dish)... not mandatory, nor expected, but we will gladly accept your generosity.
Workshop: 6:40 pm - 7:00 pm (To Be Announced)
Regular Meeting: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Drawing and Door Prize Items
Members may bring items for drawings (Please do not ask or solicit items outside our club membership). We have ran out of our purchased drawing items and need to purchase more drawing items for 2022. We are scraping the bottom of the barrel and relying on members to come up with things on their own. WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SOLICIT (OUTSIDE OF OUR OWN MEMBERSHIP) FOR ITEMS FOR OUR CLUB DRAWINGS. Remember we will take pizza and dining coupons, coupons for services (hair cuts, manicures, whatever or members choose to contribute as a drawing item)... doesn't have to be bee related to be enjoyed by a beekeeper.
AGENDA
Beekeepers Q&A (6:30 - 6:40 pm approximately) Questions answered and solutions offered. Sponsored by the Education Committee. Note: We have shortened this Q&A to 10 minutes due to not many questions being asked until after the meeting... and this will allow for Pre-Meeting Short Workshop other other sharing when available.
Pre-Meeting Short Workshop - (6:40 approximately - 7:00 pm)
Regular Business Meeting (promptly at 7:00 pm)
Call to Order
Introduction of Guests and New Members - Marc Brennan
Secretary's Report (Minutes) ~ Jennafer
NOTE: Minutes are now being made available on website and also emailed out on the morning of the day of the meeting to active members (regularly attending 2022 and 2023 meetings and signing in). If you don't see it in your email inbox then check your JUNK MAIL FOLDER, but no need to worry, because you will also find the minutes on our website and minutes are also accessible by cell-phone prior to 7:00 pm meeting. WARNING: we will no longer have hard-copy (printouts) available at meeting... PLEASE READ MINUTES IN ADVANCE OF MEETING to speed things up. Handy MINUTES template for those who may be asked to take minutes in the absence of our Secretary Jennafer.. or other reasons.
Treasurer's Report ~ Virginia
Education Committee Report: Dennis and Virginia were at Cowboy Church Ministries on Mon, 5-8-23 for a one-hour presentation by Dennis... plus Virginia assisting including helping youngsters put on small bee jacket and handing out literature/activity sheets... promoting our club. There were approx. 40 homeschooler group ages kindergarten to 16 years old. We used our new club observation hive, club's manual extractor, and some educational materials. Besides the presentation we promoted our club and the proposed "save the bees" license plate.
Apiary Report: - by VP Marc Brennan Check Facebook & Website for detailed reports. Dennis can and may pull up the website to supplement Marc's verbal report with photos or additional details.
Mentoring Committee Report: Check Facebook & Website for detailed reports. If anybody present that was mentored, then they may wish to tell about their experiences since they last attended a meeting. Dennis can and may pull up the website to supplement their verbal report.
Florida State Beekeepers Association Report ~ Dennis continues promotion of the "Save the Bees" specialty license plate vouchers. Details at https://savethebeesplate.com
Communication Committee Report: Website, Facebook, Blog, Newsletter, etc.
Unfinished or Old Business ~ Eli Mendes joined our club (VP of FSBA) and promised to provide 10 nucs each year to our club for the purpose of keeping our club's bee colony numbers up and/or for getting nucs into the hands of those with hardships, lost a hive or two in hurricane, had bad or unfortunate experiences/troubles with purchased colonies failing or collapsing, new and don't have bees, and supplier has not replaced or stepped in to replace or help... for use at the club's discretion and their apiary committee. Eli thinks he will have these nucs some time in May of this year. Voted to add and to purchase a genuine Flow-Hive for club apiary, and add a Kenya Top Bar Hive (KTBH) to our club apiary for comparison and for those members interested in alternative hive options or who already own or have decided to use these type hives, but need some hands-on.
New Business ~ Scheduling apiary meeting day for near future. Update Kenya Hive has been added to apiary. Flow-Hive not yet purchased. Where to get bees, nucs, queens, equipment... more options and possible new places.
ADJOURNMENT (followed by 15 minute break, drawings, revisit workshop topic (if desired), etc. and reconvening for our main presentation)
MAIN PROGRAM (Speakers, Addresses, Main Feature or Presentation)
Pre-Meeting Short Workshop - (6:40 approximately - 7:00 pm)
Regular Business Meeting (promptly at 7:00 pm)
Call to Order
Introduction of Guests and New Members - Marc Brennan
Secretary's Report (Minutes) ~ Jennafer
NOTE: Minutes are now being made available on website and also emailed out on the morning of the day of the meeting to active members (regularly attending 2022 and 2023 meetings and signing in). If you don't see it in your email inbox then check your JUNK MAIL FOLDER, but no need to worry, because you will also find the minutes on our website and minutes are also accessible by cell-phone prior to 7:00 pm meeting. WARNING: we will no longer have hard-copy (printouts) available at meeting... PLEASE READ MINUTES IN ADVANCE OF MEETING to speed things up. Handy MINUTES template for those who may be asked to take minutes in the absence of our Secretary Jennafer.. or other reasons.
Treasurer's Report ~ Virginia
Education Committee Report: Dennis and Virginia were at Cowboy Church Ministries on Mon, 5-8-23 for a one-hour presentation by Dennis... plus Virginia assisting including helping youngsters put on small bee jacket and handing out literature/activity sheets... promoting our club. There were approx. 40 homeschooler group ages kindergarten to 16 years old. We used our new club observation hive, club's manual extractor, and some educational materials. Besides the presentation we promoted our club and the proposed "save the bees" license plate.
Apiary Report: - by VP Marc Brennan Check Facebook & Website for detailed reports. Dennis can and may pull up the website to supplement Marc's verbal report with photos or additional details.
Mentoring Committee Report: Check Facebook & Website for detailed reports. If anybody present that was mentored, then they may wish to tell about their experiences since they last attended a meeting. Dennis can and may pull up the website to supplement their verbal report.
Florida State Beekeepers Association Report ~ Dennis continues promotion of the "Save the Bees" specialty license plate vouchers. Details at https://savethebeesplate.com
Communication Committee Report: Website, Facebook, Blog, Newsletter, etc.
Unfinished or Old Business ~ Eli Mendes joined our club (VP of FSBA) and promised to provide 10 nucs each year to our club for the purpose of keeping our club's bee colony numbers up and/or for getting nucs into the hands of those with hardships, lost a hive or two in hurricane, had bad or unfortunate experiences/troubles with purchased colonies failing or collapsing, new and don't have bees, and supplier has not replaced or stepped in to replace or help... for use at the club's discretion and their apiary committee. Eli thinks he will have these nucs some time in May of this year. Voted to add and to purchase a genuine Flow-Hive for club apiary, and add a Kenya Top Bar Hive (KTBH) to our club apiary for comparison and for those members interested in alternative hive options or who already own or have decided to use these type hives, but need some hands-on.
New Business ~ Scheduling apiary meeting day for near future. Update Kenya Hive has been added to apiary. Flow-Hive not yet purchased. Where to get bees, nucs, queens, equipment... more options and possible new places.
ADJOURNMENT (followed by 15 minute break, drawings, revisit workshop topic (if desired), etc. and reconvening for our main presentation)
MAIN PROGRAM (Speakers, Addresses, Main Feature or Presentation)
Topic: BACK TO BASICS: Review of basic procedures, new procedures, updates, what's happening for May beekeeping. Correction of bad habits, getting off to right start, with right tools equipment... cautions and warnings, helpful instructions and more Q&A
Speaker: Dennis
Speaker: Dennis
P.S. Reminder: Please sign Release of Liability Statements (if you have not already done so) so we may use your pictures, etc. for brochures, educational materials, website, etc.: Virginia Riggs Special note: This is a release to allow other members to view your information (including posting of photos, etc. on website, blog, club directories, e-mail notices, etc.). Please do not abuse the membership list, it is NOT for contacting our entire membership to complain, be negative, or to criticize our club or our leadership, but is intended to be a list for contacting mentors, friends, committee members, etc.. Please do not copy e-mails to the entire list on every matter. If you do use the list for mass e-mail to entire membership, please use blind copy (B.C.C.) and other methods to protect (hide) e-mail addresses from malicious eyes.
Door Prize & Drawing Items: Please help by bringing in items for our monthly meeting door prizes and drawings. Bee related items are of primary interest, but other items may be well-liked.
Door Prize & Drawing Items: Please help by bringing in items for our monthly meeting door prizes and drawings. Bee related items are of primary interest, but other items may be well-liked.
OPPORTUNITIES
April 18, 2023
Upcoming FREE opportunity from the UF/IFASS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab
Hello Florida Beekeepers!
The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab is recruiting beekeepers who are interested in "leveling up" their beekeeping operations from a hobby to a business. We invite you to apply for a United States Department of Agriculture funded project focused on developing a honey bee business, marketing, creating value-added products, and apiary workforce safety. The program involves monthly Zoom meetings, online courses, and in-person workshops. It is expected to run from August 2023 through the spring of 2025. Thirty beekeepers will be selected from across Florida and will be provided free access to all online materials as well as a travel and per diem stipend for all in-person workshops. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with participants selected by August 2023. To apply, visit https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOvykdn2kHwgsYu.
About the Project
The long-term goal of this project is to support and improve the success of new beekeepers by increasing their opportunities to create revenue through the sales of value-added products. Though beginner beekeeping programs are readily available, there has been a significant lack of extension programs and resources available for beekeepers who are ready to turn their hobby into a business. The goals of this project therefore are to: 1) train beekeepers in business planning; 2) assist beekeepers with value-added product development; 3) help beekeepers develop digital marketing competence; 4) train beekeepers about apiary safety; and 5) increase revenue for beekeepers. These goals will be accomplished through a series of online modules, virtual group meetings, in-person workshops, and one-on-one trainings. Modules and teaching resources will include topics such as business planning, producing value-added honey bee products, digital marketing strategies, and apiary safety. The target audience for this project is Florida hobby (0-40 colony) and sideline (41-99) beekeepers, in their first to third year of keeping bees, who have not registered as a business within Florida, and do not file income and expenses for their beekeeping operations. Recruitment for this project will have a special emphasis on beekeepers who are military veterans, women, young, socially disadvantaged, or have limited resources.
Data from this project will be used in a research study to help improve this and future beekeeping business programs. The study's principal investigator is Amy Vu, State Specialized Program Extension Agent – Apiary, University of Florida. (IBRN202207894). Questions about this project can be directed to the project’s coordinator, Mary Bammer (bammerma@ufl.edu; 352-448-1070).
We hope you will apply for this great opportunity to “level up” your beekeeping operation!
Thank you,
The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory
Upcoming FREE opportunity from the UF/IFASS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab
Hello Florida Beekeepers!
The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab is recruiting beekeepers who are interested in "leveling up" their beekeeping operations from a hobby to a business. We invite you to apply for a United States Department of Agriculture funded project focused on developing a honey bee business, marketing, creating value-added products, and apiary workforce safety. The program involves monthly Zoom meetings, online courses, and in-person workshops. It is expected to run from August 2023 through the spring of 2025. Thirty beekeepers will be selected from across Florida and will be provided free access to all online materials as well as a travel and per diem stipend for all in-person workshops. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with participants selected by August 2023. To apply, visit https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOvykdn2kHwgsYu.
About the Project
The long-term goal of this project is to support and improve the success of new beekeepers by increasing their opportunities to create revenue through the sales of value-added products. Though beginner beekeeping programs are readily available, there has been a significant lack of extension programs and resources available for beekeepers who are ready to turn their hobby into a business. The goals of this project therefore are to: 1) train beekeepers in business planning; 2) assist beekeepers with value-added product development; 3) help beekeepers develop digital marketing competence; 4) train beekeepers about apiary safety; and 5) increase revenue for beekeepers. These goals will be accomplished through a series of online modules, virtual group meetings, in-person workshops, and one-on-one trainings. Modules and teaching resources will include topics such as business planning, producing value-added honey bee products, digital marketing strategies, and apiary safety. The target audience for this project is Florida hobby (0-40 colony) and sideline (41-99) beekeepers, in their first to third year of keeping bees, who have not registered as a business within Florida, and do not file income and expenses for their beekeeping operations. Recruitment for this project will have a special emphasis on beekeepers who are military veterans, women, young, socially disadvantaged, or have limited resources.
Data from this project will be used in a research study to help improve this and future beekeeping business programs. The study's principal investigator is Amy Vu, State Specialized Program Extension Agent – Apiary, University of Florida. (IBRN202207894). Questions about this project can be directed to the project’s coordinator, Mary Bammer (bammerma@ufl.edu; 352-448-1070).
We hope you will apply for this great opportunity to “level up” your beekeeping operation!
Thank you,
The UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory
| basfoppelimendesjob041823.pdf |
JOB OPPORTUNITY
From: Vu,Amy Trang
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 11:35:09 AM
To: Hagen,Jennifer A
Subject: Commercial beekeeper hiring
Hi Jenn,
Eli Mendez, a commercial beekeeper around Ft. Myers, is looking for some beekeeping help in his business. He’s based out of Ft. Myers, but this individual needs to be able to travel for the job. Would you be able to share this information with any listservs or your local bee club if you are involved? Here’s the info:
Commercial beekeeper looking for energetic beekeepers to help run a large commercial beekeeping operation in Florida. Job requirements include all aspects of honey production, splitting beehives, moving bees into locations and pollination, extracting honey, running bee moving machines, driving trucks with equipment and bees and all other aspects of commercial beekeeping . We will gladly train the right person to become a commercial beekeeper on their own if they would like to own their own business in the future.
Contact Eli Mendes by text or call (239) 340-0484
Thank you,
Amy Vu
State Specialized Program Extension Agent - Apiary
Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory
Department of Entomology and Nematology
University of Florida | Gainesville, FL 32608
P: 352.273.3969 | www.ufhoneybee.com
From: Vu,Amy Trang
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 11:35:09 AM
To: Hagen,Jennifer A
Subject: Commercial beekeeper hiring
Hi Jenn,
Eli Mendez, a commercial beekeeper around Ft. Myers, is looking for some beekeeping help in his business. He’s based out of Ft. Myers, but this individual needs to be able to travel for the job. Would you be able to share this information with any listservs or your local bee club if you are involved? Here’s the info:
Commercial beekeeper looking for energetic beekeepers to help run a large commercial beekeeping operation in Florida. Job requirements include all aspects of honey production, splitting beehives, moving bees into locations and pollination, extracting honey, running bee moving machines, driving trucks with equipment and bees and all other aspects of commercial beekeeping . We will gladly train the right person to become a commercial beekeeper on their own if they would like to own their own business in the future.
Contact Eli Mendes by text or call (239) 340-0484
Thank you,
Amy Vu
State Specialized Program Extension Agent - Apiary
Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory
Department of Entomology and Nematology
University of Florida | Gainesville, FL 32608
P: 352.273.3969 | www.ufhoneybee.com
file: 3202seebyenoH.docx
