November 2015 The Middlesex ee “The men of experiment are like the ant; they only collect and use. But the bee... gathers its materials from the flowers of the garden and of the field, but transforms and digests it by a power of its own.” – Leonardo da Vinci October 23, MCBA Meeting and Bee Talk Business Meeting Tom announced that the state’s new apiary inspector President Obama’s national strategy to promote bees Tom said that there are currently three draft laws would be joining us at the November meeting and other pollinators via his Pollinator Protection filed in the State related to beekeeping, and there (traditionally the day after Thanksgiving). She’s Framework, which encourages State authorities would be a public hearing for comments on Tuesday, making the rounds to all of the county clubs, to to come up with policies. In Massachusetts, this introduce herself and to find out what she can do on responsibility fell to the Massachusetts Department behalf of beekeepers in the state. Following shortly of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) which then after the November meeting is our holiday party on delegated the legwork to the Farm Bureau (a Contents Saturday December 12th. Tom asked for volunteers private organization which works with MDAR). to coordinate the party, which is a modified potluck The Farm Bureau submitted a framework, and 8 1. October Minutes dinner. The club provides turkey and stuffing, and Massachusetts County beekeeping associations 2. Calendar members bring various courses/side dishes. If you are submitted an alternative framework in response. The 3. New England Beekeeping Supplies interested in helping out, please contact Tom Fiore Middlesex County Beekeeper’s Association (MCBA) 4. Holiday Party at: [email protected] submitted comments to MDAR regarding the Farm 5. MCBA Fondant Recipe Alix Bartsch, the club’s Swarm Coordinator asked Bureau’s framework. A member asked Tom what the 6. The effects of poor nutrition that Tom update the club framework was for? Tom answered that it is a policy 7. Lauri’s Sugar Blocks on the various upcoming framework and not a regulatory document. The idea 15. Stone Age Sweetness State and Federal policies is to the extent that legislative initiatives in the future, 16. MCBA Officers & Volunteers that impact beekeepers. this document would provide a policy framework for 16. Membership Form Tom began by discussing legislators – for any possible future regulations. program may be a target Library Upcoming Meetings and Events of Executive Order Allen Bondeson, our club’s Librarian announced that 562. Absence of that members are encouraged to use our library – it’s a 11/27, 7-9pm, MCBA Indoor Meeting and Bee Talk regulation then creates a great resource. The DVD’s in the collection used to First Religious Society Hall, 27 School Street, Carlisle, MA situation where it could be ‘borrow and return,’ but they are now $1 apiece Kim Skyrm, Massachusetts' new Chief Apiary Inspector become ‘open season’ by and you can just keep the copy that you take. Allen Equipment Auction cities and towns to make also asked that if you have borrowed books from up rules and regulations the library, to please bring them back. Editor’s note: 12/12 (Saturday), 6:30-9pm, MCBA Holiday Party regarding inspection of If you have an item to return and Allen isn’t at the First Religious Society Hall, 27 School Street, Carlisle, MA hives. Tom said that he meeting, please feel free to give it to a club officer. More info on page 4. submitted a comment requesting that a waiver Treasurer’s Report 2016 MCBA Indoor Meetings and Bee Talks be issued for the state’s Lisa B. presented the treasurer’s report (We’re on First Religious Society Hall apiary inspection good footing). You can find a copy of the report in 27 School Street, Carlisle, MA program. the member’s only section of the website. 01/22, 7-9pm Is anyone here 02/26, 7-9pm from Cambridge? Bee Talk 03/25, 7-9pm There is a new Anyone here for the first time? Please tell us your 04/22, 7-9pm, Spaghetti Dinner beekeeping ordinance name, where you’re from, and how many hives you in Cambridge. It is have! unfortunate that things • Larry, North Chelmsford, attended a bee school, got to this point (for and hopes to start next spring 11/17 at 1pm in the Statehouse, at the joint Committee background google • Mira, Bedford, no hives of her own yet, but she’s for Natural Resources in Agriculture. If anyone is Cambridge, Beekeeping, Neighbors) – however it sponsoring a hive in her yard. She plans on taking a interested in testifying during the hearing, you can could have been worse. There are hearings for this class this winter. sign up to offer prepared remarks lasting no longer ordinance if anyone is interested in following up on • Kelsey & Graham, Waltham: newbees hoping to than 3-minutes. Information will be on the website. that. In addition, something may also be brewing start in the spring. Tom added that the other thing going on at the down in Medway. Alix Bartsch has most extensive • Stephen, Burlington, no hives yet, but comes from State level was Executive Order 562. Earlier this year, contacts with other clubs, and is currently very up to a family of beekeepers. Governor Baker signed Executive Order 562, which date regarding the pending bills working their way • Sonny, Lowell, has 2 hives requires all executive state agencies to review all through the state legislature. • Matt, Carlisle, moved to the country recently, was regulations and to determine whether the regulations There will be a meeting of the state’s beekeeping a longtime chairman of a beekeeper’s association in serve a purpose, and that no Massachusetts State association, Mass Bee, in Philipston, which is out on Britain regulation exceed Federal requirements. State agencies Route 2. While it sounds like it’s way out there, in • Paul G. Stow, has 2 hives should be holding listening sessions for informal reality it’s not that far (maybe 40-45 minutes) and • Jim, from Carlisle, Ernie Huber turned him onto comments on possible regulations.... What concerns if you’re free that day you should make an effort to beekeeping and is interested in getting involved. us most, as beekeepers, is the State Apiary Inspection go. There’s a honey show, and the agenda is on the • Cindy, Ashland, is a beginner Program – because the Federal Government has no MassBee website. Anyone have any questions, comments, anecdotes regulations in regard to apiary inspections, hence this to share? Sonny said that there’s an advantage to November 2015 • The Middlesex ee • 2 getting your package bees early (he picked his up at the end of March) – he got 100-pounds of honey Eng from the hives that he keeps on a second story w lan porch in Lowell. Jen R. made a suggestion to new e d beekeepers: that you should order your bees early N (they often go on sale around January), as they usually sell out well before April and May – it’s easier to cancel an order than to try to start late. Beekeeping Carlisle Honey Tom Fiore (our club president) suggested that new beekeepers take a class this winter. Here in Middlesex www.nebees.com www.carlislehoney.com County, various members of the club partner with continuing education programs in Newton, Beekeeping Equipment Extracting Services Tyngsboro, and Acton-Boxboro. Those classes Honey Jars generally begin in January and February – we’ll send out announcements once dates and times are 10 Louis Avenue 978.957.2233 determined. Tyngsboro, MA 01879 Is it too late to feed the bees? My hives are a little light. Mike B. said that it is too late to feed syrup, and that he recommends an end date of October 15th for syrup. He said that with feeder bottles especially, the R. said that she leaves hers open all winter, and that I have a homosote Board, should it go above or syrup can expand or contract too much due to the as long as the bees are dry, then they can take really below my inner cover? Homosote is a sheet of fibrous temperature, and can drip down and cause problems. cold weather. Jen said that she has left her SBB’s open sound proofing available from Home Depot, etc., cut He said that while we’ve had some [unseasonably] for years. Gus S. said that he will close his early in the down to the size of your hive boxes (typically 16.25” warm weather, it’s too late for the bees to deal with spring (February or March) to keep moisture out, and x 19 7/8”) that is used to absorb moisture from the the excess moisture from the syrup (the bees have to to help keep them drier. Tony P. closes his off most hive. Jen R. said that she places her homosote boards condense the liquid down to at least 18% for capping). of the way to prevent an updraft from the wind, but between her inner and outer covers. In addition, Jen If you need to feed, then fondant, sugar bricks / candy he leaves about a 2-3” strip open for ventilation until adds a vapor barrier above the homosote with Fedex/ boards, or plain granular sugar via the Mountain April/May, when he opens it all the way again. As Tyvek envelopes. The homosote does its job and acts Camp method are your only options. Editor’s Note: with all things beekeeping: your mileage may vary.