–by Raymond Cloyd
The Kansas Honey Producers Association appreciates Kansas State University extension agents and all the work they do across the state for pollinators including honey bees. We would like to offer support during these challenging times. With the focus on home and health, we are seeing an increased interest in beekeeping across the state. The Northeastern Kansas Beekeepers Association offers beginning classes associated with beekeeping each year. Because of the need to distance ourselves, our classes are held remotely. Although this has some disadvantages, the classes are recorded. The private YouTube links to both classes are provided below. The first class is “Beginning Beekeeping” and provides information on biology, acquiring bees, basic diseases, colony growth, and seasonal management. The second class is “Year 2 and Bee-Yond,” which focuses on topics related to individuals with some beekeeping experience. Topics include why hives die, making splits and requeening a hive, management of varroa mite, and extracting honey. The classes are available to members of the Northeastern Kansas Beekeepers Association for $5.00 but these classes are being offered free to extension agents. We ask that you respect our work and if others would like to view the programs, please direct them to our web site: www.nekba.org. Questions and requests for assistance may be sent to Becky Tipton, President of the Kansas Honey Producers Association at bstbees@embarqmail.com or 785-484-3710.
Beginning Beekeeping: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ODXdd1Vl4knXZL7IcjeBhVIGu3bcdju
Year 2 and Bee-Yond: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ODXdd1Vl4k0DQmqCvLszBrs6zJtOR94