March 11, 2013: Queen Rearing Workshop for Beekeepers
The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension will offer a workshop on Queen Rearing for Beekeepers from 6:00-9:00 pm on Monday March 11 in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building in Pittsboro. The workshop will be taught by North Carolina State University Apiculture Technician Jennifer Keller. There are many benefits to raising your own queens: you will always have one on hand when you need it, you can save money, and you can pick whatever characteristics are important to you and breed to that. This workshop is for beekeepers who have some experience; we will not be covering the basics of honey bee biology.
* We will also be offering an all-day follow-up workshop on Saturday June 1 for folks who understand the basic principles of queen rearing and want an intensive hands-on experience (details on the June workshop to be released in March).
Agenda:
§ What is queen rearing?
§ Why make your own instead of buying? Advantages and disadvantages of rearing your own queens.
§ Things to consider before beginning: number of hives needed to be successful, materials needed, planning, etc.
§ Cell builders: identifying a strong colony; how to set up swarm box.
§ Grafting
§ Mating nucs
§ Grafting demonstration and hands-on grafting practice
Cost of the March workshop is $15 and includes handouts. Pre-registration is required. The deadline for registration is March 7 (we must RECEIVE your registration by March 7). Space is limited so register early!
Download a registration for on the Growing Small Farms website at http://go.ncsu.edu/gsfworkshops
Call 919-542-8202 or email debbie.roos@chathamnc.org for more information.
Debbie
March 11, 2013: Queen Rearing Workshop for Beekeepers
March 11, 2013: Queen Rearing Workshop for Beekeepers
Just some thoughts.