Clinch Valley Bee Club
Introduction to our Bee Club
The goal of the Clinch Valley Beekeepers Association is to attract people into beekeeping and to educate the public about bees for the ultimate benefit to our environment.
Accomplishments of the CVBA
Here is a wonderful two-part video showing the CVBA's accomplishments through the Years; Learning the Art of Beekeeping and Loving it!
Each one is about 8 minutes long. Enjoy!
Bees and Beekeeping in May
MAY AND THE BEES: Bees are in full operation now that it is May. You can stop feeding weak hives now because they are bringing in lots of nectar and pollen. The hive is expanding rapidly. The brood chambers are filling up fast and the bees will be working hard filling supers. If insufficient space has been provided, the brood chambers are becoming crowded and congested, and probably preparing to swarm.
MAY AND THE BEEKEEPER:
RED ALERT!! BEES SWARM IN MAY.
You will have to implement a swarm management strategy. Keep in mind that bees swarm as a way of multiplying. It is not a sign of being a poor beekeeper. However, there are some important steps to implement to try to prevent swarming. Keep in mind that you must provide room for your hive to expand. And, you should put on honey supers no later than early April. Put on as many supers of drawn comb as you'd like. Some experts think it is good practice to have a minimum of two drawn honey supers on all hives during the nectar season. Three or four supers are even better. Don't wait to add your supers or you may miss particular nectar flows. Get all supers on by April 1st!
Consider having extra, empty hives on hand so you'll be able to capture a swarm. You will want to capture your own swarms or you will probably receive phone calls once your neighbours learn you are a beekeeper. It is not uncommon to receive calls each week all spring and summer.
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Flowers for the Bees
Tom Ramey has informed us that the seeds are in and ready for sale.
The price is $2.00 for each envelope of seeds or $10.00 for a packet containing 8 different types of seed envelopes and instructions for planting them.
We think that this is a great making money idea for our Bee Club. Good work Tom! Here's an opportunity for our members to help by getting these seeds sold to the public. Put on your thinking caps and share your ideas at the meeting on how all of us can help sell these for our club's benefit. Plus, if anyone else comes up with other ways to help the club make money, please don't be afraid, spit it out!
Here are some ideas:
These seeds would be great Easter gifts that will last all summer long.
Buy a couple of packets as gifts, tell your neighbors about them and how important they are to our bees.
Let everyone know that they can get more seeds from the CVBA.