Greg Rogers at Smoky Mountain Beekeepers Meeting

We were fortunate to have Greg Rogers, a local professional beekeeper, to speak at our February meeting of the Smoky Mountain Beekeepers. Greg manages over 300 hundred hives and, like most beekeepers, is experiencing losses. He spoke of treating his hives with chemicals and also using softer treatments. The losses continue with both. I'm not sure there is a good answer to the ailments bees are facing right now. I will continue to treat organically. So far, my hive seems to be holding it's own. I know the numbers are small, but they are surviving this very cold winter and on days when the temperature permits, are out flying vigorously. Another cold, snowy week is forecast. Greg also demonstrated how to split a hive. I plan to do this in the spring if my hive is strong enough. I'm going to let them raise their own queen. I'm not keeping bees for honey production, but rather for pollination purposes. I don't mind if I lose some time while they are raising the new queen.

Bee Education

Our temperatures have warmed to the lower 40's this afternoon. I was relieved to see the girls out and about after a few days of really rainy, windy and snowy days. I'm a member of the Smoky Mountain Chapter of Beekeepers and at our meeting last night, most everyone was reporting their bees to be flying and bringing in small amounts of pollen. Though our weather has been rainy, it has been fairly mild, so the bees are getting out for cleansing flights. Some of the beekeepers are feeding, others whose bees have a good supply of honey in the supers, are not. It was also mentioned that the bees are looking for sources of protein and some are adding protein patties. I'm already feeding because of low honey stores in my super. I'll consider doing the protein next week.

I'm excited because I learned of 2 upcoming events for out Chapter. Greg Rogers is going to be our speaker in February. He's a very knowledgeable beekeeper in the Asheville area. I heard him speak when I went to bee school in Asheville a couple of years ago. Really looking forward to hearing him again. Also, Jennifer Berry, from the University of Georgia, is going to do a beginner bee school for us in March. I attended one of her sessions at Young Harris bee school last year in May. She is doing wonderful work in the field of honeybee research. Should be another great learning experience for anyone in attendance. I'll check on the dates for both of these events and post later.

I'm trying to take advantage of every opportunity I have to learn more about beekeeping. But I'm also learning that just by having a hive and observing and working with my bees on a daily basis is absolutely the best way for me to understand this wonderful and fascinating art of caring for honeybees.