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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Summer Ag Institute

The Summer Ag Institute took a tour of the bee farm today, which was a lot of fun for Dad and I, and hopefully a fun learning experience for the 27 teachers who participated in the event. I took the day off from work, so I could get set-up for the 90 minute program. I taught on the biology and behaviors of bees, bee hives structure and equipment, and finally honey production. We concluded the program by touring the bee yards where I suited up a teacher to help me pull frames from the hive and allow everyone to dig out a spoonful of the honey straight from the frame. Below is the article from the Effingham Daily News published on August 9, 2012.



Friday, June 22, 2012

Terry Hopper Swarm

Today, Dawn & I received a call from my old friend Terry Hopper who reported a small swarm from his wild bee hive in a tree on his property.  So, before dinner we drove out to check it out.  After a few minutes of discussion and pursuation I had Terry suited up to capture his first hive of bees.

Here is the small swarm hanging on a branch about 50 feet from the mother hive.



Terry & Larry are getting ready to shake the bees into the traveling nuc box.



Terry's first photo as a beekeeper, followed by the question....Now What???

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

New Queens for Hive #4

The other day I discovered that Hive #4, the original East Hive, was without a queen.  So, I ordered two new queens from Long Lane and installed them this morning.  I split the hive into two, and gave each a queen.  Unfortunately, I would later learn that one was not accepted, so I was left with one hive accepting the queen and recombined the hive boxes.  As of last look, this queen is doing well and laying lots of eggs!