MONADNOCK BEEKEEPER'S ASSOCIATION
March 4, 2010 @ 7:00 pm


Minutes

* Welcome - Club President Steve Weber called the meeting to order. 
* Secretary's Report - The minutes of the February meeting were distributed and accepted. 
* Treasurer's Report  - The treasurer reported that the club has a balance of $2,136.04.
* Beekeeping Discussion - The meeting opened with an informal discussion about winter bee survival. Some of the issues that were discussed were:   
o Feeding may enhance a hive's ability to survive in early spring. Fondant can be obtained at Ye Goodie Shop in Keene. Will Vogeley feeds a candy made from 15lbs sugar and 3 lbs corn syrup which has been brought to a boil at 240F. After it cools to 160F, a portion is poured on to a top cover with its vent hole blocked with a small square of newspaper. The candy cover is then installed on top of the cluster. Al Nadeau feeds pollen patties at this time to encourage brood  raising.
o John Snowdon showed us an excellent computer map of our region with the location of many of our club member's apiaries. He emphasized that bees can fly several miles in all directions, which makes many of our hives neighbors. He would like to develop a database of information about our hives to allow us to take maximum advantage of this geographical interdependence with the goal of developing pest resistant, winter hardy bees for our area. The club members encouraged this effort. Details to follow.    
o Bears will be coming out of their dens soon. Wellcroft Fence in Harrisville supplies electric fencing for bear protection. The fence should be baited with bacon or peanut butter to train the bears to the fence.
* Beginner Beekeeping Class for 2010 - John Snowden and Steve Webber have planned the course. The class schedule has been posted on our website. Volunteers are needed to help teach the classes. If you are willing to assist with one or more of the classes, please contact John or Steve. 
* Liability Insurance - The club sent $200.00 to the New Hampshire Beekeepers Association to pay our assessment for the 2010 liability insurance policy they carry that covers our club activities. A copy of the policy was received by the club         
* Future Speakers - The members voted to pay Sam Comfort, a top bar hive expert, a speakers fee of $250 to address the club at our April 1 meeting. Non-members will be welcome to attend the meeting, but will be encouraged to make a $5 to $10 dollar donation. Sam's wonderful website at anarchyapiaries.org contains his natural, organic philosophy of beekeeping. The club also voted to pay a similar speaker's fee to have the Vermont beekeeper Mike Palmer address the club at a date to be determined. John Snowdon is making all of the arrangements for both of these speakers. 
* Jars for Sale - Jeanne Usereau has 1 lb. octagon jars for sale. Email her at jusereau@aol.com and you can arrange pickup from her at the Edward Jones office next to the Keene post office.
* Meeting Adjourned



NEXT MEETING
Thursday, April 1, 2010         Stonewall Farm, Keene, NH