General Meeting (February 2020)

The Capital Regional Beekeepers Association (CRBA) meets on the second Thursday of every month.

This meeting usually starts with a beginners/intermediate beekeeper corner 30 minutes before the regular club proceedings start around 7pm.

Agenda

• 6pm – Setup
• 6.30pm – Pre-meeting discussions
  • New beekeepers corner (downstairs/lower hall)
  • Intermediate beekeepers corner (upstairs/upper hall) – Bob L
• 7pm – Regular meeting
  • (Re)introducing your Island Bee Inspector – Dave M
  • Demonstration: How to make a lotion and lip balm – Sky R
  • What to do in February – Larry L
  • What’s in bloom – Nairn H
  • Nominations for Secretary and Membership Secretary – Bill F
  • Just so you know – All
• 8.30pm – Social – Bring a travel mug for tea and/or coffee
• 9pm – Close of meeting

Minutes

Bill Fosdick, president, called the meeting to order at 7:10pm.

Bill greeted and the members.

Dave MacDonald, the South Island Provincial Bee Inspector.

The mandate: To prevent the spread of disease. Provincial agricultural resources are free to the beekeeper. He spoke of the Framework, the Education, Inspection, Enforcement, Laboratory Services that available to beekeepers. He emphasised that you must have a permit to transport bees and equipment or sell them within the Island or in all of BC. Also emphasizing the need to have all apiaries registered with the Provincial government. This will help if there is an outbreak of disease or pests (small hive beetle). Dave’s presentation was an eye opener to some of our new beekeepers.

Sky Richards – Herbalist – demonstrated how make lip balm to the members. Her presentation is available here.

Beekeeping Courses:

Don Lambert is offering his first Introduction to Beekeeping at UVic. First 2 weeks of March and will entail about 6-8 hours of classroom study, hands on opportunities, field trips and follow up support.

Bob Liptrot is offering

• Intermediate Beekeeping – Tuesday & Saturday, March 24 to April 4.
• Introduction to Beekeeping – Tuesday & Saturday, April 14 to April 25.

Barry Denluck will be offering Introduction to Beekeeping Monday, March 2 and a second introductory course starting on April 20th.

Carolyn Hissen is starting an Introduction to Beekeeping course beginning in March. Contact her for more
information.

What is bloom – Nairn Hollott – Pollen from Hazelnut, Willow, Nectar from plum trees and heather, crocuses, hellerbores, rosemary.

Paul Peterson – South Island Region Representative for the BCHPA spoke to the members about the up-coming Semi-annual meeting in Kamloops at the end of March. The educational day will focus on Queen Rearing with guest speakers. The Annual General Meeting of the BCHPA will be held in October in Abbotsford with speakers such as
Randy Oliver, Dewey Caron, Michael Palmer.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.