By Bruce Kilgore | Contributing Writer
This month we consider our winter losses, formulating a plan to purchase replacements. It’s our annual wash, rinse, repeat cycle that drains wallets and enthusiasm for beekeeping. Package bees may seem like a simple solution; however, they come with challenges. First, a package is not a functioning colony. These are bees shaken into cages from multiple strong colonies and given a caged queen from a different source. Next, weather and long transport distances, plus rough handling, can be very stressful on the bees. Combine that with the fact you have no real contact with the producers.
I believe, as a beekeeping community, we can do better. The majority of beekeepers in our area are hobbyists with just a few hives. I often hear, “I don’t want to care for more than that.” We need to make a change in our thinking and see ourselves as part of a whole. We need to be looking at, and plan for, the future, not just the upcoming year. We need to redefine success and become sustainable, not only in our apiary, but as a region. Just as farmers save seeds to insure a future harvest, we can create functioning nucleus colonies to support ourselves and each other. Being part of a greater whole multiplies our odds of success. What if you could get your bees from a local and trusted source or be the trusted source?
How do we make these changes? First, lose the “go it alone” mentality. You are not alone. Become an active participant. Open yourself up to ask for or offer help. What might this look like? If you are a beekeeper with a few hives, and that is all you care to manage, you can support other beekeepers. What if you had a great survival rate coming out of winter and do not need to buy bees? Your queens will be primed to swarm this season. You could create and sell a nucleus to someone needing to replace losses. If you need replacements, you can commit to buying local nucleus colonies and queens. Other options you might consider is to offer swarm cells, swarms, splits, graft able larvae, or host mating nucleus colonies. I’m sure the list goes on. In return, you may find a growing community of supporters. This will create a positive feedback loop. Your success becomes community success.
Serving Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties, Northern Adirondack Beekeepers Association (NABA) is committed to a sustainable future for local beekeepers. Being part of our network of beekeepers opens possibilities, and a higher likelihood of success. Beginning in April, NABA will be offering hands-on workshops, such as building nucleus boxes and learning how to populate them.
The next meeting for Northern Adirondack Beekeepers Association (NABA) will be Saturday, March, 14th at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County office, 6064 Rte. 22, Plattsburgh, 10:00am – 12:00pm. This month we will be discussing strategies for sustainable beekeeping as an organization. Regular meetings continue the second Saturday of each month. If you would like to be added to our growing email list, please contact me. See information below.
Bruce Kilgore is a Cornell Certified Master Beekeeper with over fifteen years’ experience, President of Northern Adirondack Beekeepers Association (NABA), and a member of Eastern Apiculture Society (EAS) and Vermont Beekeepers Association (VBA). He lives in Saranac, New York. You may reach him at 518-578-2557 or email bkilgore7064@icloud.com
