Topic: A Brief Discussion of the Biology of Honeybees - Bee Biology and Physiology Presenter: Bill Meyer Bill will give us an overview of the various body parts and functions of the bees, including the influence of hormones and other chemicals on bee behavior. The discussion will also include why Varroa mites are so detrimental to bee health.

DCBC Meeting: Minnesota Bee Squad Virtual Presentation Presenter: Nelson Williams (Virtual Guest Speaker) Nelson Williams serves as the Apiary Manager and Primary Building Contact supporting the work and research of the UMN Bee Lab. His professional career in honey bee management and research began in 2017 at Purina Farms Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, Missouri developing a protein supplement for honey bees. In 2019, he joined the Bee Informed Partnership and UMN Bee Lab as a Honey Bee Health Field…

Topic: Bee Watch program / crop producers collaboration with beekeepers Presenter: Mark Feuerstein Topics will include registering your hives on the Bee Watch/Field Watch mapping database and methods of communicating with landowners and herbicide/pesticide applicators to protect bees and working hives.

Topic: Bee Installation and Equipment Guest Speaker: Len Arsenault Len Arsenault will talk about equipment and the supplies needed for beekeeping. Max Martin will talk about cleaning your “dead out” hives and preparing boxes and frames for repopulating. Mark Lentz will talk about bee installation for both packages and NUCs. There will be lots of time for questions.

5:30pm Hive Dive with the Bee Inspector. Bring your bee suits. 6:30pm Meeting at Crossroads. Topic: What To Look For When Inspecting Your Hive Presenter: State Bee Inspector Donna Stine Donna will give her presentation on “What To Look For When Inspecting Your Hive.” In addition, she will give a report on the status of Wisconsin beehives for 2023-2024.

5:30 p.m. – Hive Dive at UW Ag Research Station (4312 Hwy 42) 6:30 p.m. - Meeting @ Collins Learning Center at Crossroads Topic: Swarms and Swarm Management Presenter: Dan Ziehli Dan has been in a Wisconsin family beekeeping operation for 60 years and currently serves as a district chairman for the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association. He is a team member with Heritage Honeybees and manages colonies for other beekeeping operations.

Topic: Interactive honey harvesting and equipment. Demonstration of refractometer and Oxalic Acid treatment. Presenter: Mark Lentz Mark Lentz will present one of our core education programs on “Honey Harvesting”. Demonstrations of harvesting honey from Langstroth hive frames and how honey is harvested from a Flow hive. Mark will also show how a refractometer is used to check your honey water content before harvesting. We will also discuss the importance of safety measures required (PPE’s) when using a Oxalic Acid vaporizer.

Topic: Summer Social with Q&A Our meeting this month will be an informal summer social, providing a wonderful opportunity for newer members to get acquainted and talk everything beekeeping. We will have an informal open discussion session for general Q&A. It will be a good chance to ask those lingering questions about summer bee colony management, honey harvesting, and prepping the bees and hive for the cooler fall temperatures. Please consider bringing a snack or dish to share.

Topic: Wintering bees and storing equipment Presenter: Peggy De Santo (virtual presentation) Peggy will present the Condensing Hive vs.Vented Hive and an introduction to the Hive Hugger Winterization System. Peggy is a co-founder of the Hive Hugger winterization system. This insulation system is founded in science and is unique in that it is based on the condensing hive approach. The product won the 2023 American Beekeeping Federation Award for Best Innovation and was awarded the University of Minnesota SARE Grant.…

Welcome Visitors – This meeting will be open to the public – we are participating in the Wisconsin Science Festival Week Topic: Creating Bee Products - Transforming Honey, Wax and Equipment. Presenter: Various HIVE CHEMISTRY 101 • MAKING MEAD – a brief introduction into wine making with honey – Dennis and Lynn Marquardt – hosted by Lisa Coggins • HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS – wood conditioner, food wraps and candles – Max Martin • PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS – lip balm, lotion bars, hand salve…