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Join Us for the June SVBA Meeting
(In-person or On-line)
Special Program:
Getting Ready for the
2022 SVBA Honey Judging Event
Our meeting this month is on Thursday, June 9th, at 7 PM at the Burlington Public Library.
It will feature a special presentation and discussion about the SVBA
Honey Judging Event, which is coming up in August as part of our
activities at the Skagit County Fair.
Susan DeLawter will be making a Zoom presentation, sharing her
experience. If you can't make the meeting, keep an eye out for a
Zoom meeting invitation from Brad Raspet with a web link.
It's going to be interesting and informative for those who haven't seen or participated in honey judging in the past.
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As Susan will
describe, there will be two different honey judging categories -
extracted honey (2 bottles per entry), and full frames. There will also
be a kid's category to reward and encourage participation by a new
generation of beekeepers. Children can bring posters about beekeeping
and their own experiences.
She will fill us in on the methods for judging and the criteria that
will distinguish blue, red, and white ribbon award levels, and the
associated "Best in Show" rosettes.
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- Registration -
Registration will be available in-person at the SVBA meetings, and an
on-line form that will be made available on the website. Registrations
will cost $5 for each entry.
- Getting Jars and Lids - For
those that can attend in person on June 9th, you will be able to get
jars and lids that will be used so that all the containers of extracted
honey are exactly the same. For those who cannot attend, Brad Raspet and
Heather Oates will be making arrangements so that you can pick them up
later. So keep an eye on the website and next month's newsletter for
details.
- Rules and Criteria -
You can find out about the process and basis of the judging in the SVBA
Honey Judge Manual, which is a listed resource at the SVBA website or
can be viewed with this link - https://skagitvalleybeekeepers.org/contact/SVBAJudgesManual.pdf
- Timing -
Registration will begin at the June SVBA meeting. Dropping off your
entries should be planned for the weekend before the Fair, with details
on times and locations to be determined and posted on the website and
newsletter. The Skagit Valley Fair is from August 10 to 13 this year,
and the entries (and their ribbons) will be on display for everyone to
see.
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Swarm-Catching Weather:
Cold Wet Spring followed by Warm, Sunny Days
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Based on U.S.
Climate Data records, daily high temperatures in the Skagit were 5
degrees below normal in April and 6 degrees below normal in May. That's a
pattern which can trigger swarming when a few warm, sunny days finally
arrive for large, cooped-up colonies.
All members in good standing (with their dues paid) are eligible to be
listed on the SVBA's on-line Swarm Capture Contact List. You can contact
President Brad Raspet ( brad.raspet@gmail.com) to
get on the list. Be sure to indicate general locations that you can
reach expeditiously - hopefully before the scout bees finish their jobs
and the swarm has vanished.
Lots of advice and stories about swarm-catching occupied a discussion at last month's SVBA meeting including:
- Bring your own ladder, pruning pole if you have one, and 5-gallon bucket.
- Ask if the owner has already used insecticide, so you can avoid the effort of trying to recuperate poisoned bees.
- Find out where the swarm is located during the phone call; if it is at the top of a telephone pole, think twice about it.
- As the owner if you can cut the branch of a tree or shrub before snipping it.
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Heather Oates, our Newest Board Member
Heather has stepped up to become a Member of the Board, filling in the third spot on the roster. Thanks for your help!
SVBA Summer Barbecue 2 PM on Sunday, July 10
Our annual potluck picnic and mid-summer get together is planned for
Sunday, July 19th at 2 PM; watch the website and newsletter for the
details, but set aside the date now.
Wannabe our Web Site Administrator?
Our website is becoming an increasingly important and active
communication center for the SVBA. It would benefit from a steward who
could update, refine and expand the content and capabilities. If this is
in your skill set and interests, contact Brad Raspet to learn how you
could help.
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Les's Bees has a full line of beekeeping woodenware and supplies in Bellingham - For
those gearing up for the summer season, it is a good time to get in
touch with SVBA member Les Scott, who has gone into business providing
an alternative to the large mail-order suppliers. From your editor's
personal experience, the quality is high, the convenience is great, and
the prices reasonable. Check out at leszbees.com or contact Les Scott directly by e-mail, call, or text: 360-303-0396.
If you have supplies and equipment that you may be interested in
swapping, selling, or just plain giving to other interested members of
the SVBA, send a brief description, price, and contact information to
your editor, cecilbees121@gmail.com.
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SVBA Membership
Renew or Join Now
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If you
haven't already sprung at the chance, your 2022 SVBA membership dues are
now overdue. It's easy, simply mail us your annual renewal fee of just
$12.00. For those who wish to join, it's the same price, and a wonderful
introduction to our beekeeping community with the many programs,
events, education, advice and connections that we offer through our web
page, Facebook, and this newsletter. The membership form and payment
instructions are found at:
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Brad Raspet, President
360-708-9424, brad.raspet@gmail.com
Dawn Beck, Vice President
206-719-3666, dawnrunner@live.com
Rob Johnson, Treasurer
360-770-6170, rsjohnson2u@yahoo.com
Susan DeLawter, Secretary
818-259-9059, susandelawter@sbcglobal.net
Steve Cecil, Newsletter
617-719-7870, cecilbees121@gmail.com
Alvin Forar, Board
360-435-3316, alforar@hotmail.com
Heather Oates, Board
360-391-7357, hoates@gmail.com
Seth Smith, Board
360-770-0481, seth_smith@live.com
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