Mel Disselkoen to visit Dane County

Submitted by oliphant on Tue, 04/24/2012 - 9:06am

Mel Disselkoen will be visiting our club on Saturday, June 30, 2012. (Location: Beeyard of Paul Oliphant, Binette Farm on Blazing Star Rd, Deerfield) Pot luck lunch at noon with presentation beginning at 1pm. Bring a chair and your questions on any beekeeping subject. Don't forget your veil!.

Mel is a nationally know beekeeper who has written several articles for the Journal, "Bee Culture."  He specializes in sustainable beekeeping by overwintering small colonies, splitting them often the next summer, and letting them raise their own locally mated queens.  His bees are certainly adapted to his area around Grand Rapids, Michigan, since he hasn't purchased any packages in years! 

    Come to learn Mel's techniques from him in person.  You can get a preview of Mel’s methods at http://www.mdasplitter.com and learn about Mel’s system for breeding strong queens for winter survival at the meeting!

DCBA 2012 Workshop Series for New Beekeepers

Submitted by oliphant on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 6:26pm

Please join us this Spring for three experiential beekeeping workshops. The class is designed for a small group so that there is plenty of time and space for hands on activities. You will learn how to put together the equipment, set up, manage and handle bees.

This ALL inclusive class includes bees and all the equipment you need to get started as well as membership in the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association and the Dane County Beekeepers Association. You may also choose to just attend the classes and buy or make your own equipment. Class size is limited to 15 so sign up today! Registration deadline is March 1st.

Use the attached Registration flier to sign up today.

Dates:
March 10
April 21
May 19

Time: 12 (noon) to 4 p.m.

Place: Troy Community Farm, Madison, WI

Cost:

$450- Full workshop, hive equipment, protective clothing, book, and bees
$260- 2nd hive with bees
$180- Workshop, protective clothing, book
$150- Youth rate for workshop, protective clothing, and book

Questions: contact Sarah Shatz or Paul Oliphant

DCBA Fundamenals of Beekeeping Course & Small Scale Beekeeper Conference.

Submitted by oliphant on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 6:17pm

Fundamentals of Beekeeping Course
and
Small Scale Beekeepers Conference
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Warner Park Community Center, Madison WI

Keynote by Tim Fulton, President of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association.
Fundamentals of Beekeeping Course will be taught by Charles and Karen Lorence from Illinois.

Cost
$50 per person before February 1
$60 per person after February 1

Register today using the online Registration Form

Send registration forms and payment to:
Paul Oliphant, 1617 Woodvale Drive, Madison WI  53716
Question:
Paul Oliphant 608-221-0521 or paul@oliphantherd.org

 

Registration include:

  • Full day course and conference
  • Lunch catered by Manna Cafe
  • one year membership in Wisconsin Honey Producers Association (WHPA)
  • one year memebership in Dane County Beekeepers Association (DCBA)

Jeane Hansen's 2012 Workshops

Submitted by madbees on Thu, 11/10/2011 - 9:59am

Learn to Keep Bees! Beekeeping Classes 2012

You are invited to attend one of our 'Beekeeping for Beginners' classes to be held at the Dane Co. Extension Building, 1 Fen Oak Dr, Madison, WI 53718. Saturday classes will be on Jan 28, Feb 25, March 24 and April 28, 2012. This class is for those with no background at all in beekeeping. We will touch on everything you need to know for your first year. The fee of $40 covers a full day of classes, handouts, free sample journals and catalogues, and props galore for you to handle. To register, contact Jeanne Hansen at 608-244-5094 or jeanniealabeannie@yahoo.com. Now is a good time to start thinking of beekeeping, so you can arrange for your supplies and bees, and sign up for this interesting class.

Second Step Beekeeping Class 2012

You are invited to attend our 'Second Step Beekeeping' class to be held at the Dane Co. Extension Building, 1 Fen Oak Dr, Madison, WI 53718. The class will be on Saturday, March 17, 2012. This class is for those who have kept bees one year, and now find themselves with many additional questions, and a feeling there is more to know. The fee of $40 covers a full day of classes, handouts, free sample journals and catalogues, and plenty of time to cover your personal questions. To register, contact Jeanne Hansen at 608-244-5094 or jeanniealabeannie@yahoo.com.

Wisconsin State Journal on Beekeeping Ordinance

Submitted by madbees on Tue, 11/08/2011 - 11:48pm

The Wisconsin State Journal recently posted an article on the proposed city of Madison ordinance. http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_ccf636a7-cd12-57ff-bd05-6374cc34b984.html