FCBA's First Birthday

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On January 21, 2020, Fairfield County Beekeepers Association (FCBA) celebrated its first birthday. Highlights for the evening included a birthday cake, fundraising auction, and awards ceremony. The night was capped off by a presentation on late winter and spring hive management. 

The auction was a success, with a plethora of items donated by members. Items included fresh fruit, hand-knitted stylish scarves, hand-painted stationery, a bottle of bourbon, an air fryer, swarm boxes, and swarm bait feeders.

 The evening awards were presented by FCBA President Jeannie Saum and special guest, “The Fair Queen Fieldia”,  queen of the FCBA Apiary! Award recipients were Will Merrill, Mary and Dan Wampler, John Kelly, Kevin Paulus, Steve Schull, Marlene Boyer and Tom Tobin. These award winner members worked tirelessly to get the club off the ground and ensure success. Their talent and beekeeping experience are  priceless.

The night's presentation was given by Chris Lucas, a local engineer and full-time beekeeper from Bee Barons Apiary, of Newark, OH. The information presented on the management of late winter and spring hives appealed to beginner and veteran beekeepers alike. Chris also brought in his Styrofoam hives and enlightened us all about the benefits of using Styrofoam boxes versus wood boxes. Chris is a wealth of information. We were fortunate to have him as our guest.  Great fun was had by all.

Bees   - packages, nucs, queens

 

 

 

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FCBA's First Bee School

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FCBA conducted its first Bee School on February 15 and Feb. 22, 2020, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Over 50 students attended.  Eight members of FCBA presented the instruction and several more served as refreshment coordinators and support Many members brought hive equipment and tools for display. Members circulated among the class participants during breaks and lunch to encourage and answer questions.  Participants seemed to enjoy the day and several have already ordered equipment and bees. 

A bulk buy of an unassembled, 3-box hive kit was offered to the new beekeepers. The club will host a Build Day and potluck in late March, to teach new beekeepers how to build hive equipment.  The club will also offer a “Build-My-Hive service “for those newbies who don’t want to build their own hives! Volunteers from the club will build the 3 box hive for $75 as a fund-raiser for the club.  We welcome 46 new members into our club!

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