Author: dan

This meeting will be virtual. Members have been emailed the Zoom link.

Our Native Bees (And Why Beekeepers Should Care) 

Public awareness and concern for native bees is soaring. But with no honey crop to harvest, why should Georgia beekeepers care about the almost 500 species of native bees that call our state home? This fully illustrated talk will explain why native bees are essential, touching on the eco-system services they provide, basic identification, and their interactions with honey bees. 

Peter Helfrich is a hobbyist honey beekeeper and native bee enthusiast who lives in Decatur, GA, where he chairs the city’s Bee City USA committee (a.k.a., “Beecatur”). He holds Certified and Journeyman Beekeeper certifications through UGA’s Master Beekeeper program and serves as a director with the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association, and newsletter editor for the Georgia Beekeepers Association. He frequently speaks about bees and other pollinators in schools and at community events.

Our regularly scheduled meeting for August is canceled. We hope to have an in-person hive inspection for beginners on the 21st; National Honey Bee Day.

Woohoo! We have a date to begin meeting in person at our new location! It’s at the brand new Athens-Clarke County Extension Office. It’s just off the Loop and there’s plenty of parking right by the building.

We’re thrilled to have Dr Keith Delaplane scheduled to speak with us about honey bees. We’ll also have door prizes and more!

We hope to see you there! 7pm Directions

David McLeod is an Alabama native that got his start in bees at the age of thirteen, not quite forty years ago. He’s of the pre-trachea and varroa generation. Currently he’s the president of Potato Creek Beekeepers Club and his day job is chief cook and bottle washer Georgia Wildlife Services, Inc and among the many wildlife control services he offers is bee and stinging insect removal from structures and trees. He’s also a former president of Henry County Beekeepers Association and is active in both clubs in teaching and community outreach.

Professional photographer, Georgia Zumwalt will teach us about photographing bees using everything from high end digital SLR cameras to our phones.

Linda Tillman, The President of Georgia Beekeepers Association returns to speak with us about Natural Beekeeping.

Swarm Capture and Management

Paul Berry is a fifth generation native of Columbus and lives in the suburb of Box Springs. A retired business owner, Paul spent almost 40 years building and running an electronic security alarm company, now managed by his son. His interest in honeybees 35 years ago was influenced by a neighbor who had three hives. His first attempt at beekeeping ended in disaster as he watched his first hive float down a flood swollen creek. Too busy raising a family and building a business, Paul put beekeeping on hold for a few years.

In preparation for retirement, Paul again began keeping honeybees. Putting education ahead of implementation, his second attempt was much more successful. With over 60 hives, he can’t decide if he is a hobby beekeeper or a sideliner. Although honey is a great reward, Paul’s passion is learning about this fascinating creature and teaching what he has learned to new beekeepers.

Paul has been a long time active member of the Georgia Beekeepers Association. He has been President of the Chattahoochee Valley Beekeepers Association for four years and loves chairing his clubs’ Education Committee.

The Basics of Queen Rearing.

Tommy Mealer started in business as a nuc producer and package broker. He is currently working for Blue Ridge Honey Company as Co-Manager of Beekeeping Operations, including queens, nuc, packages, and honey production.

Our meetings are free and open to the public. Please see Directions The meeting starts at 7 PM.

2019 Georgia Beekeeper of the Year, Bobby Chaisson, will discuss late winter and early spring hive management. This critical time in the bee yard can make or break the upcoming season.

Topic: Supering Up – Going from a hobby to a sideline bee business. Steve, a Georgia Master Beekeeper, will discuss the concepts and needs for stepping up your game from a few hives in the back yard to creating a part time, money making venture.