Boston Area Beekeepers Association

Tour de Hives 2016
2016-06-26 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | MA
Buy tickets for 6th Annual Boston Tour de HivesThe Tour de Hives will engage, educate and enchant you with a first-hand look at honey bees in hives across the city, guided by the humans who tend them.
On Sunday, June 26th, join us for a bicycle tour of apiaries in Somerville, Malden, and Medford, followed by a picnic lunch. Come celebrate the bees with us.
Apiaries Featured On The Tour Include
Site A: First-year Backyard Beekeeper First-year beekeeper Carl Palme will show his hive, discuss how he got started, and answer basic questions about hive management for newbees
Site B: Tufts University – Honey Bee Research See the different life stages of honey bees through the glass of observation hives, and learn from Tufts University PhD candidate Rachael Bonoan about her work linking honey bee nutrition to brood development
Site C: Tufts University – Native Pollinator Research See the inner workings of bumble bee hives and learn from Tufts University PhD candidate Kelsey Graham about her research on the impact of the invasive wool carder bee on native pollinators
Site D: Community-owned Backyard Flow Hive Check out the new hive design that last year inspired the sixth-most successful crowdfunding campaign EVER. Hear perspectives from a group of beekeepers who are giving it a try this season while implementing shared hive ownership and management.
Site E: Seasoned Backyard Beekeeper Experienced backyard beekeeper Carl Puglisi will cover topics including successful overwintering strategies, mite prevention, and splitting hives Site F: Groundwork Somerville Visit honeybees and native pollinators at the Somerville South St. farm and hear about how they fit into Groundwork Somerville’s work in community education and engagement.
Each group will visit 3 of the above sites.
REGISTRATION
We will have groups starting out from two locations in the morning. You will have the opportunity when buying your ticket to select your preference to begin your ride at Fellsmere Park, near Malden Center on the Orange Line, or at Nathan Tufts Park, near Davis Square on the Red Line. We will do our best to accomodate requests. Meet up at your location at 9am on the morning of the tour to get your teeshirt, join your group, and start the ride!

BYO PICNIC LUNCH
After a full morning of cycling and bees, all groups will gather at Fellsmere Park for a picnic lunch and a chance to mingle! Please bring a bag lunch, bicycle, helmet, and water bottle! The total cycling distance is ~10 miles.
Please contact us if the suggested early-bird registration fee of $25 is prohibitive for you. Any proceeds raised will bee reinvested in education & outreach initiatives by the BABA (formerly Boston Beekeepers Club).
Many thanks to this year’s sponsors!
* Best Bees Beekeeping Services
* Follow the Honey

Swarm Management & Making Splits
2016-04-30 12:30 - 15:30
An intermediate level beekeeping workshop with Dean Stieglitz. Basic hive inspection & smoker manipulation tips will also be covered.Saturday, April 30th (rain date May 1) 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: Fenway Victory Garden Apiary; refer to the Google map at: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=1704224708794287105 and enter at Path Q. Then ask around — almost anyone in the garden will know where the apiary is.
This intermediate level beekeeping workshop will discuss the causes of and reasons for honeybee swarms, how to manage and reduce the swarm impulse in your own hives, and what to do if you notice swarming behavior in your colonies. Making swarm control splits will also be discussed.
This workshop is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Space is limited so please pre-register via EventBrite, HERE. Space is limited; if you do not register, you may not be able to get in.
Please wear long pants, closed toe shoes, and bring your veil if you have one. Gloves are also recommended — you may have a chance to handle and observe activity on populated frames. Please be advised that live, populous hives full of tens of thousands stinging honeybees will be opened. By showing up to this workshop, as with almost any workshop held in an apiary, you might be stung.
Dean Stieglitz is a beekeeper, author, and owner of Golden Rule Honey in Leominster, MA. Dean will also have Golden Rule raw honey for sale, as well as copies of his book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beekeeping, so bring some spending money if you’re in the market for either.

Founder of Gaia Bees talks about new practices toward a bee-centric Apiculture
2016-03-30 19:00 - 21:00
Please join us to receive a very special guest, Michael Joshin Thiele, Founder of Gaia Bees, who advocate for a fundamental shift inApiculture and develops new practices toward a bee-centric approach. Michael is coming to the East Coast for the first time as a participant in a 2 day intensive at the Harvard Divinity School on The Spirit of Sustainable Agriculture, so we are very honored to have him gather with us for an evening.

Michael Joshin Thiele is leading an innovative approach within the biodynamic apiculture movement and teaches in the United States and abroad. Gaia Bees is engaged into the research of wild Apis Mellifera and new dimensions of apiculture in a sociocultural, agricultural and spiritual context. In the last decade, Michael has been involved with the creation of Honeybee sanctuaries and refuges as a means of protection and education. The most recent project is the Honeybee Sanctuary & Refuge at Green Gulch Farm.
The underlying concept of a “Landscape Apiarium” is the leading principle in this bee-centric approach. In 2013, he worked as a biodynamic consultant for the USDA in the Dominican Republic. His work is documented in various national and international magazines, books and film documentaries (“Queen of the Sun”). For one of the most recent interviews (2015) go to:
Michael will explore how the bio-integrity of Honeybee nests can inform and heal our apiaries and landscapes, and how the wisdom of Honeybees can be an inspiration for the evolution of new paradigms of life.

BABA Bee School Winter 2016
2016-03-17 19:30 - 21:00, 2016-03-10 19:30 - 21:00, 2016-02-25 19:30 - 21:00, 2016-02-11 19:30 - 21:00, 2016-01-28 19:30 - 21:00, 2016-01-21 19:30 - 21:00
DetailsWe will cover basic techniques of “organic” beekeeping, including materials and equipment, beehive structure, the life cycle of bees, hive development and dynamics, seasonal apiary work, honey and hive products, common pests and diseases, and hive management – with an emphasis on treatment-free and ecologically-friendly management techniques. We will taste local and varietal honeys, and learn about harvesting and using bee products. You will learn everything you need to know to set up your own backyard apiary.
Dates
Six Thursday evenings Jan-March from 7:30-9:00pm (see below for exact dates and times). There will also be a hands-on field date in April, date TBD based on weather & bees’ activity, and a 3/24 backup date to make up for a possible snow day.
Location
Urbano Project, 29 Germania Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (located in the Brewery complex on Amory Street, across from Stony Brook T Stop)
Please register ASAP by clicking here.
Space and time to enroll is limited. Pre-registration highly recommended (space may fill up and only those pre-registered will be guaranteed a seat).
Cost: $165
** COURSE FEE INCLUDES A HANDS-ON WORKSHOP ON A DATE TBD IN APRIL
Scholarships
Limited scholarships are available to interested individuals experiencing financial hardship. If you are interested in a scholarship, please send an email describing your circumstances to info@bostonbeekeepers.org.
Course books will be provided on the day of the class, for an additional $10.
Course Instructors
The course will be taught by members of Boston Area Beekeepers Association (www.bostonbeekeepers.org). This year’s instructors include Rachael Bonoan, Noah Wilson-Rich, Paul Quigley, Dave Strickler, Mel Gadd, Bill Perkins and other experienced local beekeepers. For more on our organizing team & core instructors please visit: https://bostonbeekeepers.org/membership/board-directors.

Beekeeping 101 : An Introduction to Honey Bees as a Hobby
2016-03-13 09:30 - 12:30
Note: Pre-registering through this link (or by phone: 617-983-8500) with BNC is the only way to guarantee a spot.
Sponsored by Boston Nature Center and Boston Area Beekeepers Association
Instructor: Bill Perkins – Boston Area Beekeepers Association
Non-members can join today during checkout and take immediate advantage of member prices.
Did you know that you can enjoy bees and bee products right in your backyard? Urban yards (and even rooftops) are often excellent locations for beehives. In this introductory workshop, you will learn about the fascinating world of the honeybee. We will talk about what it takes to keep a busy, productive hive of bees happy; how to set up and maintain a hive; and what kind of time commitment is required. This is a beginner’s workshop, so no previous knowledge is necessary. We will end with some local honey tasting.
Fee: $25 members / $30 nonmembers.
Registration is required.
|| get directions

The Mighty Mason Bee
2016-03-12 10:00 - 12:00
Mason bees, or orchard bees, are prodigious pollinators. Unlike honey bees, mason bees are solitary (and native to the Americas) and, as such, all females are fertile and produce eggs which they lay in small deep holes packed with food (a pollen and nectar mix), and seal with mud. And they’re really cute & gentle.
Learn about our native mason bees and how to provide them an attractive nesting house. The workshop ends with a mason bee house construction project after which every participant will leave with a mason bee house ready for the bees’ arrival — any day now! Provide them a home and they will move in.
They’ll be here soon but they’re only active for a few weeks; they showed up in Boston by April 16 last year.
The entire two-part workshop will be taught twice, once from 10-12 and again from 12-2.
Attendees are encouraged to bring an empty can measuring anywhere from 2 – 3.5 inches in diameter and 4-5 inches tall. You’ll see why…
Registration is required for this paid (but affordable) event. Visit http://masonbees.bpt.me/
get directions

BABA March 2016 Meeting
2016-03-08 18:30 - 20:00
Join us in hearing about honey bee health in Massachusetts from our new chief apiary inspector, Kim Skyrm! Kim is also interested in getting feedback from the regarding re-design of the Apiary Program so please come with suggestions and/or comments.
On-street parking available on Pike Street (which is a one-way road exiting onto Albany Street). The entrance to Best Bees and the Lab is off of Pike.
Directions to the Urban Beekeeping Lab & Bee Sanctuary
By Bike: Take the Southwest Corridor to Melnea Cass Bike Path to Albany Street (or from other parts of the city take Mass Ave to Albany). Turn onto Pike Street (across from Hampden Street; Boston Body Works is on the corner and actually shares the building with the Urban Beekeeping Lab/Best Bees). Once on Pike Street, the building on your left is your destination, but the entrance is around back so bring your bike around into the lot. Our entrance door is the last door on the left, just before the stairs and the end of the parking lot.
By Bus: MBTA stops nearby (follow directions for biking or driving from there):
Silver Line 4 & 5 (corner of Washington Street & Mass Ave)
#1 bus (corner of Albany Street and Randall Street)
#47 bus (corner of Harrison Ave and E. Lenox St.)
#9 bus (corner of Mass Ave and Albany St.)
CT3 bus (Albany St. opposite Boston Medical Center)
#10 bus (corner of Mass Ave and Albany St.)
#276 bus (corner of Mass Ave and Albany St.)
CT1 bus (corner of Mass Ave and Harrison Ave)
By car: Once on Albany Street be on the lookout for Pike Street. It is a small street located directly across from Hampden Street. The Bee lab is behind Boston Body Works. There is a parking lot behind the Urban Beekeeping Lab. Some parking is available in the lot off of Pike Street (directly behind the building) or on Pike Street. Of note, ignore the Do Not Enter signs by the side of the building; they were put there by our landlord to reduce traffic and are not legal.
Our entrance door is the last door on the left, just before the stairs and the end of the parking lot.
get directions

Bee-themed Holiday Party
2015-12-10 19:00 - 20:30
Join the BABA Board and members for a bee-themed holiday party at Follow the Honey. If you’re looking for wonderful bee-related gifts for the honey lover, beekeeper (or beekeepers to be) in your life, this is the place. Stop by, say hello, and help out one of the most unique shops in Harvard Square.

BABA Dec 2015 Meeting
2015-12-08 18:30 - 20:00
As part of the meeting, there will be an Indian beekeeping presentation by Jonathan Abbott. Jonathan is a Masters student at MIT who studies improvements to Indian beekeeping using mechanical engineering. See some of the similarities and differences in beekeeping techniques and learn some cool things that might help your hives.Best parking is on Vassar Street (free at 5PM) or take 1 Bus or Kendal T Stop.
web.mit.edu/jabbott/Public/Bee/BABADirections.jpg
You may find parking closer on Mass Ave if lucky.

Massachusetts Beekeepers Assoc Fall Meeting
2015-11-14 09:00 - 15:30
More information on www.massbee.org/meetings/2015-fall-meetingSpeaker: Don Hopkins – North Carolina Bee Inspector talks about colony inspections, diagnosis, and treatments of common ailments.Speaker: Ed and Marian Szymanski – talks about Massachusetts Honey Plants.
Time: 9:00AM – 3:30PM
Location: Red Apple Farm, Phillipston, Massachusetts
Lunch: King Phillip Restaurant – TBA
“MBA Honey Show” Enter your best honey and beeswax products.
Morning presentation “Apiary Inspection System in North Carolina” Considered a model inspection program, Don will provide an overview of the bee inspection program, and offer practical suggestion on how to evaluate a bee colony.
Afternoon presentation “Even Farther South: Bees in Bolivia”. Working with Dewey Caron and local beekeepers in Bolivia, Don will talk about his experiences and the importance of beekeepers taking responsibility for their bees.
Don Hpokins – became interested in bees at the age of 5, when beekeeper Dave Pruden was also the bread delivery driver in his neighborhood. He didn’t get a hive until he was nine or ten, but he has kept bees almost continuously since then. He joined the Morris County Beekeepers Association as a junior member, as well as the Somerset County 4-H Beekeeping Club. During his early years as a youth beekeeper he was inspired by New Jersey State Apiarist Jack Matthenius. As a senior member of the Morris county organization he served as program chair and then president of the MCSBA in the early 80s. He attended his first EAS meeting in Wooster Ohio in 1978.
After moving to North Carolina in 1988, Don started working for the NC Department of Agriculture in 1989 as a bee inspector. In 1994, he became the NCDA&CS State Apiarist. Joined the Apiary Inspectors of America in 1995. He was president of AIA in 2000 and 2010. At EAS, Don has presented several workshops, primarily on bee diseases. His primary interest is honey bee health and biology. The North Carolina inspection program is considered one of the best in the U.S. Don will discuss the NC program and the importance individual beekeepers make to a well organized inspection program.
Don has been on many volunteer projects to educate and learn from beekeepers in other countries. His trips to Bolivia have given him experience with Africanized Honey Bees and insight as to how the beekeepers there work with the bees. His observations will be part of his afternoon presentation at the Fall MBA meeting

BABA Nov 2015 Meeting
2015-11-10 18:00 - 21:00
Speaker: Nicolas Vidal-Nanuet, Veterinarian, Beekeeper, Author, NY Bee Sanctuary board member, visiting from France on book tour, author talk at 7pm with book signing to follow

Hands-On Workshop - Winter Hive Prep
2015-10-24 00:00 - 23:59
Hands-On Workshop – Winter Hive PrepSaturday, 10/24 (time TBD)Agricultural Hall, 245 Amory St, Jamaica Plain, MACome learn how, and actually build, components to help your bees overwinter successfully.Updates to this meeting will be posted as we get closer to the meeting date.

Beekeeping 101: An Introduction to Honey Bees as a Hobby
2015-10-17 13:00 - 16:00
Instructor: Sadie BrownMaximum # of Participants: 30
Cost: $25 for Mass Audubon members, $30 for non-members
Signup: BNC Website
Did you know that you can keep bees in your backyard? Even small urban yards (or roof tops) can play host to a hive of honey bees, and those who tend them can enjoy honey, beeswax, pollen and of course, the bees themselves.
In this three-hour workshop, you will learn what it takes to keep a busy, productive hive of bees happy. Learn where to get your bees, how to set up and maintain the hive, and what types of activities and time commitment are required throughout the year. This is a beginner’s course, so no previous knowledge is required. The workshop will include lots of time for Q&A, and is a good precursor to a more in-depth Bee School if you are uncertain whether keeping bees is right for you.

To register contact Boston Nature Center at 617-983-8500. An online registration link will be posted here as soon as it is available.
Directions: http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/boston-nature-center/directions)

BABA Oct 2015 Meeting
2015-10-13 18:30 - 19:30
This first meeting of the “slow season” will bring an opportunity for beekeepers new and old to gather, discuss highlights from – as well as issues they dealt with over – the summer, and concerns/questions we have going into the winter. We hope to see you there.Directions:The building we will be meeting in is the Perry and Marty Granoff Music Center (Granoff for short) at address is 20 Talbot Ave, Medford, MA, Room 155. There is a visitor parking lot at street level on the College Ave side of the building (despite what the signs say we have been told that parking after hours does not result in ticketing, but if you are nervous you may wish to park along the street or take public transportation). The closest T stop is Davis (off the red line) and the 94 and 96 buses both stop across the street from the building (College Ave @ Dearborn).

Backyard Beekeeping Workshop
2015-09-27 11:00 - 13:00
Ever want to keep honey bees, either for their delicious honey or simply the benefit of additional pollinators on your property? Learn the fundamentals of backyard honey bee care during this workshop hosted by experienced backyard beekeeper Joel Govostes. The program will cover topics including how to get hives started, how to maintain your hives throughout the different New England seasons, and honey harvesting.Tuition is $20 per person. Workshop is hosted by Wright-Locke Farm. Registration via wlfarm.org is REQUIRED (option to pay the day of the event is available).
Register: https://www.wlfarm.org/events/

Urban Agriculture Fair 2015
2015-09-27 10:00 - 14:00
It’s Fair time! The Urban Agriculture Fair returns to the Loring Greenough House (12 South Street, JP), on Sunday, 9/27, from 10am to 2pm, for another four hours of family fun and games, demonstrations, contests, and displays. Make apple cider (fresh and ‘hard’), watch bees tend their hive, pat a chicken, toss eggs, win prizes, and much more! And if you have garden goodies, kitchen concoctions, baked beauties, and other homemade/homegrown creations, enter them at the Judging Table for a chance to win swag, bragging rights, and ribbons (including the coveted “Pomme d’Or” gold ribbon)!

Beekeepers, bring along your smokers. The second annual Smoker Stoker contest is sure to be a nail-biter. If you can keep your smoker lit longer and stronger than anyone else, you take home a beautiful new Maxant (‘made in Mass’) hive tool!
For more information, see the Ag Hall website.

Preparing Your Beehive for Winter (Metro South session)
2015-09-19 14:00 - 16:00
Instructors: Rebecca Rosenblum (TBH) & Ed Karle (Master Beekeeper, Langstroth)Maximum # of Participants: 30
Cost: $5 for non-members
Signup: BNC Website
One of the greatest challenges to beekeeping in Massachusetts is getting colonies through the winter. Last year Eastern MA beekeepers lost over 50% of their colonies over the winter months; the bees (and beekeepers) need all the help they can get. Come learn from a panel of experienced local beekeepers the techniques they have used and found to be successful for overwintering. The panel will include beekeepers tending Langstroth and Top Bar Hives (all of whom have successfully overwintered their hives). This session will be indoors and include guidance on how to prepare your hive for winter, with time for Q & A after the panel discussion.
To register contact Boston Nature Center at 617-983-8500. An online registration link will be posted here as soon as it is available.
Directions: http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/boston-nature-center/directions)

Preparing Your Beehive for Winter (Metro North session)
2015-09-15 18:00 - 20:00
Panelists: Anita Deeley (TBH & Langstroth) & Mel Gadd (Warre, TBH & Langstroth)Suggested donation of $5
One of the greatest challenges to beekeeping in Massachusetts is getting colonies through the winter. Last year Eastern MA beekeepers lost over 50% of their colonies over the winter months; the bees (and beekeepers) need all the help they can get. Come learn from a panel of experienced local beekeepers the techniques they have used and found to be successful for overwintering. The panel will include Anita Deeley of Beverly Bees (and one of the state’s Apiary Inspectors) and Mel Gadd of Clumsy Dog Apiary. These beekeepers have experience tending and overwintering Langstroth, Warre and Top Bar Hives. This session will be indoors and include guidance on how to prepare your hive for winter, with time for Q & A after the panel discussion.
The building we will be meeting in is the Perry and Marty Granoff Music Center (Granoff for short); its address is 20 Talbot Ave, Medford, MA and we will be in Room 155. There is a visitor parking lot on the College Ave side of the building. The closest T stop is Davis (off the red line) and the 94 and 96 buses both stop across the street from the building (College Ave @ Dearborn).

Honey Harvest
2015-09-12 10:00 - 12:00
Instructors: Bill Perkins and Boston Area BeekeepersMaximum # of Participants: 25
Cost: $5 for non-members
Signup: BNC Website
Harvest & process honey with us from comb to jar. This family-friendly workshop will involve a discussion of where honey comes from and its various uses in different cultures, while engaging participants in the process of extracting this liquid gold from the comb. During the event we will reflect on the honey bees’ year’s work, dip our fingers for a licking experience of our very own, and taste test various honeys. This participatory workshop will cover the full cycle of extraction, including cleanup.
To register contact Boston Nature Center at 617-983-8500. An online registration link will be posted here as soon as it is available.
Directions: http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/boston-nature-center/directions)

Tufts Research Apiary Visit 2015
2015-08-12 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for a tour of the Tufts University bee research field site. Rachael Bonoan, Kelsey Graham and Nick Dorian are Tufts students researching bees in the Boston area. They are excited to take us on a tour of their apiaries and introduce us to the research they are conducting, including investigations on honey bee nutrition and brood development, bumble bee population dynamics and how an invasive bee (the wool carder bee) affects foraging behavior of a native bumble bee.We will meet right across from the Tufts University Steve Tisch Sports & Fitness Center (161 College Ave, Medford, MA) and then head over to the field site together. At the field site, we will get a chance to check out 14 different field bumble bee hives (for those who were able to come last year, there are a lot more bumbles this year!), 1 lab-reared bumble bee hive (if all goes well), and 7 observation honey bee hives. Call or text Rachael @ 401.440.8039 if you need to get in touch last-minute.
Link to MeetUp: https://www.meetup.com/Boston-Area-Beekeeping-Association/events/

The Buzz About Bees
2015-07-20 19:00 - 20:00
Learn why bees are critical for food production, why they are dying and what you can do to help save them, while learning more about beekeeping in the Boston area.

Mass Bee Annual Field Day
2015-06-20 09:00 - 15:00
Participants can choose from twenty-four, one hour beekeeping workshops. The event is FREE to all beekeepers, butregistration is required for this special all-day event. You are highly encouraged to pre-register. For those interested,we have arranged to have coffee and muffins for purchase in the morning. Also, we will have a BBQ lunch available for$10 each. The lunch must be pre-ordered on the registration form below. In addition, ice cream will be available forpurchase at the event following lunch.A schedule of speakers will be provided at the event. Workshop topics will be appropriate for all, from beginners toadvanced beekeepers. This is a live bee event, so we strongly recommend participants bring protective clothing andwear veils while presenters are working hives. This is a policy of MBA and we want everyone to safely enjoy Field Day.Because the event takes place in an open field, it can get hot. It is a good idea to bring a folding chair, sun screen, a hat,and plenty of water.
We will have Better Bee, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, and Mann Lake selling beekeeping equipment at the event. If youplace an order with them in advance, they can bring it to the event saving you a lot on shipping. Plan ahead and placeyour order with these vendors!
This event is a collaborative effort with the University of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association andthe Franklin County Beekeepers.
Registration is required for this special day long beekeeper event. It is highly recommended that you pre-register beforecoming to the event. Late registrations will be taken on the day of the event from 8:30am – 9am. Early registrationmust be in by June 15th. Registration is FREE to all beekeepers including non-club members. Please note: you must signin at the event when you arrive. Down load Registration Form here.

An Introduction To Bees And Beekeeping
2015-06-10 18:00 - 20:00
Did you know that you can enjoy honey, beeswax, pollen, and the miracle of bees in your own backyard? Yards of all sizes, and even rooftops, are often excellent locations for urban beehives. Working with bees is tremendously enjoyable, and a healthy hive can produce several gallons of delicious, healthful honey every year. In this workshop, gain an introduction to the fascinating world of the honeybee, and learn what it takes to keep a busy, productive hive of bees happy. Learn where to get bees of your own, how to set up and maintain a hive, and what types of activities and time commitment are required throughout the year for an urban beekeeper. Our second session will include a hive visit in Roxbury; details to be discussed in class.More information and signup…

The Buzz about Bees
2015-06-06 13:00 - 15:30
Learn about the importance of honey bees from art, experts, and local preservation organizations in the community. This buzz-filled event is inspired by Jarret Mellenbruch’s Haven sculptures in the Park.1–3 pm: Community OrganizationsDrop in to chat with local preservation organizations including Middlesex County Beekeepers’ Association, People Protecting Pollinators, Little Beehive Farm of Holliston, and the Watertown Friends of Bees.
1:30 pm: Talk with Dr. Noah Wilson-RichJoin an informative and lively conversation about the declining bee population with Dr. Noah Wilson-Rich, founder of The Best Bees Company, author of The Bee: A Natural History, and dynamic TED talk speaker.
2:30 pm: Dialogue with Brynmore Williams and Rachael BonoanIn partnership with Catalyst Conversations, an organization founded in 2012 to open a critical path for dialogue between the arts and sciences, Brynmore Williams and Rachael Bonoan discuss their respective interest in and mutual admiration for bees. An urban beekeeper and documentary filmmaker, Williams is fascinated by the sound of bees. Bonoan is a PhD candidate and researcher who studies how nutrition affects honeybees’ immune systems.
For more information, see their website.

Jacqueline Freeman presents The Song of Increase
2015-05-28 19:00 - 21:00
Follow the Honey is delighted and honored to host treatment free beekeeper, biodynamic farmer & author, Jacqueline Freeman, whose recently published, “A Song of Increase: Returning to our Sacred Relationshiop with Honey Bees” has met with rave accolades for its poetic prose, critical insights & prescient message.Please join Follow the Honey for a talk, book signing & light refreshments.
Jacqueline Freeman has been stewarding bees since 2004. In her first year, she attended bee school where beekeepers were taught to douse their bees with chemical treatments and pinch (kill) the queen each year. She instinctively knew that was not the route she wanted to take. She committed herself to treatment-free beekeeping, seeking ways to recreate the natural methods bees use to maintain good health.

Even with good intentions, she lost all her bees the first few years. Back then there wasn’t as much support for clean beekeeping and it was hard to find books and discussion groups that put the needs of bees first, but she managed to find a few. Meanwhile, she spent thousands of hours watching her bees, hoping to unravel the mysteries of responsible beekeeping.
After many years of bee study, she began to see subtleties in their behavior and to grasp larger lessons about the colonies themselves. She learned to be quiet and listen, watching them for hours on end, asking the bees how to care for them and what would help them thrive. She sometimes saw images in her mind that included information she had never read or known. She carefully recorded her notes and began to realize the bees were indeed communicating with her. Gradually, a richer understanding of bees emerged.
Honeybees were once thought of as heavenly messengers, an expression of the wisdom in the universe, a spark of cosmic consciousness and a gift to the world. When bees became a commodity of modern agriculture, this deeper understanding of their true nature was lost. Right now honeybees are in crisis; their populations dwindling at alarming rates. Prevailing attitudes and conventional beekeeping methods are designed to make beekeeping easier for humans, but not all of these methods are bee friendly.
Now a new, more compassionate movement is emerging. Asking first, “What is best for the bees?,” caring beekeepers are questioning human-centric methods and finding new principles to guide their bee care.
Jacqueline has been treatment-free for more than a decade and her hives are strong. She listens to the bees, observes their behavior and interactions to understand what goes on in the hive and how best to support them. She treats bees with respect and gratitude. This bee-centered approach re-establishes a reverent and respectful relationship with them and a meaningful manner of interacting with them.
Jacqueline’s book, “The Song of Increase: Returning to Our Sacred Partnership with Honeybees,” contains her observations and communications with the bees. This is not a typical user’s guide to beekeeping, rather it offers unique insights that inform and inspire, and in so doing, fundamentally alters our relationship to, and understanding of, bees in ways that help ensure their survival. Her talk is full of gorgeous images and recordings of bee life.
Originally from Massachusetts, Jacqueline has lived in Washington state for the past 25 years where she and her husband are biodynamic farmers.
