Kirk Webster

Kirk Webster is a beekeeper and queen breeder in Vermont and he was featured in the "Queen of the Sun" movie recently shown in Bozeman.  Coincidentally, Webster was also mentioned in a book I just finished on agriculture, development and the culture of Western Vermont and the Adirondacks of New York state.  So I thought I had better look him up online and I found that he has generously published a collection of his writings on honey bees.  Click here to explore kirkwebster.com.  Good stuff for those interested chemical free beekeeping and locally adapted queens.

New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Here is the long awaited updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map complete with "Zone by Zip Code" feature.

The Managed Pollinator CAP after Three Years

Dr. Keith Delaplane from the University of Georgia summarizes the past three years of research by the Managed Pollinator Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP).  This is a USDA funded project, supporting research at university bee labs across the country.  Pour a cup of tea and read the summary by clicking here.  It is the most concise summary on the current state of honey bee health I've read.

Queen of the Sun

Queen of the Sun is this Thursday at the Emerson Cultural Center. Showtime is 7:30 and tickets are $3.  The lobby will feature informational booths, no host food and drink starting at 6pm.  Come early and drop by the Gallatin Valley Beekeepers Club booth and visit with Chip, Allison or myself.  The photo is of Yvon from France, and he is featured in the film.  I want to bee just like him when I grow up!

Certified Naturally Grown Apiary Standards

Certified Naturally Grown, an alternative to the USDA's National Organic Program has released a best management practices handbook for apiaries wishing to be certified under their guidelines.  Click here to have a look at the PDF version.  Worth the look even if you are not interested in the Certified Naturally Grown program.

Gallatin Valley Beekeepers Club Meeting

The Gallatin Valley Beekeepers Club will meet this Saturday, January 21 at 8:30 am in the small meeting room at the Bozeman Public Library.  Plans for winter and spring activities will be addressed, so make sure you are there to get your two cents in!

Helena Beekeeping Workshop - March 3rd

Lewis and Clark County will be hosting a beekeeping workshop on March 3rd at the fair grounds.  Click here for the link for agenda and registration details.

MSU Beekeeping Workshop is full

The MSU Beekeeping workshop filled in ten days. That is record time.  Thanks for the continued support.

The JB Special

I got roped into leading the 'cooking' station in the current rotation for Sunday school.  The theme is Jesus' baptism, which of course includes John the Baptist.  You remember John - wore camel's hair clothes, lived in the wilderness and ate locust and wild honey.  Hang in there, you knew there would be a honey bee connection somewhere.  The discussion included honey hunting, the role of honey bees in biblical times and of course a snack.  Which leads to the first ever Big Sky Bee recipe - The JB special.

The JB Special

Buttermilk Biscuit Dough (or unleavened bread for the purists out there)
'Crick-ettes'  Your choice of flavor, as they are available in Bacon & Cheddar, Sour Cream & Onion or Salt N' Vinegar
Honey - either liquid or for the full effect comb honey

Preheat your oven
Roll out the biscuit dough
Place one 'Crick-ette' in the middle of the dough. Fold in dough in half.
Bake as directed
Drizzle with honey
Serve warm and enjoy!

Honey Bees in the News

Honey bees have been in the news this week and unfortunately the news is not good.  Most probably you have read about the newly described parasitic fly on honey bees.  UC Davis extension Eric Mussen will be presenting the keynote address today at the annual meeting of the American Honey Producers, and will address the threat of this new pest.  You can read a summary of his remarks here.  When you read about a discovery in the honey bee world it is important to find the original source.  All to often the popular press wants to sensationalize and simply the science.  You can find the article describing the parasitic fly in PLoS ONE by clicking here.

More troubling is the recent article from Purdue and Connecticut researchers on the toxicity and persistence of  widely used insecticide seed treatments on corn.  Honey bees readily collect corn pollen and the implications of this study are quite serious.  Read the study by clicking here.

Registration Open for MSU Beekeeping Class

The eight annual MSU Beekeeping Workshop will be held on February 25th on the Bozeman Campus.  Speakers from MSU, Western Bee Supplies and the Montana Department of Agriculture will present information to help aspiring beekeepers get started.  The 'offical' press release with registration details can be found here.