Here is the latest Beek Rambling for those that enjoy these. It is focused on a message towards the newer beekeepers of the last couple years.
http://www.bjornapiaries.com/beekramblings201112.html (http://www.bjornapiaries.com/beekramblings201112.html)
Hope you enjoy! ;)
HI Mike,
Thanks for the rambling. it is a great read. I think alot of the local club I go to is commerical,or close to it. Bringing up not using chemicals, going foundationless, and etc. will not get farvorable reactions. I mentioned at the last meeting I was going to faze in going foundationless and was told "that is B/S. Anyway, enjoyed your rambling. Keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Joe
Bringing up not using chemicals, going foundationless, and etc. will not get farvorable reactions. I mentioned at the last meeting I was going to faze in going foundationless and was told "that is B/S.
I did the same thing thursday. You woulda thought I had just announced I was going to see what happens if I chopped my legs off with an axe. Actually I think they woulda thought that was a better idea than trying to go foundationless.
Thank you for the input. It is in line with what I have seen many times before.
The problem I see with some associations, is not the view of one issue or another. But the suppression or denigrating of those items not in line with the "leaders" of the group. Any bee association should be about bees, and not the promotion or narrow minded approach that some beekeepers have in whatever method they use. All styles and ideology should be embraced, discussed, debated, and studied.
But many groups are headed, or at least have very outspoken folks, that are set in their ways. They either do not understand issues beyond their many years of experience, or as seen with some commercial guys (who also head a good number of associations) who want EVERYONE to keep bees as they do. That way, everyone is in the same boat. And any faults associated with their bee management can not be compared to other, perhaps more successful ways of doing things.
Due to the limiting nature of some of the clubs I belonged too in the past, this was a major factor in starting the Pa. Backyard Beekeepers Association. It seemed the talks, the ideology, and agenda, were all focused on commercial and research folks, with backyard beekeepers being ignored. We tailor and focus on backyard beekeepers, and within 18 months now have 376 member statewide. We don't just push items such as foundationless, or TBH, or whatever it could be. We push beekeeping! And we respect each beekeepers management and ideology. Sure, we have a separate committee to work on environmental issues. But we also discuss the proper use of using various treatments. We try to help beekeepers no matter what ideology they may have. It is best to expand beekeepers knowledge, than restrict it.
I encourage anyone not happy with their local or state association to think about forming a new group. It needs to be for the right reasons. It needs to include all, and not dismiss some.
I remember a number of years ago, a lady who came to a county group meeting I was attending. As the meeting was about to start, she walked in and introduced herself to the officers at the front table. As the meeting was about to start, it was quiet. So everyone heard this conversation....
"Hello, I'm Cindy, and this is my first meeting. I'm here not just to join your group, but I also am seeking some help as my bees are not doing well"
The Pres.. "Hello Cindy. Not a problem, I'll get your name and number before you leave tonight, and we will see what we can do for you.
Cindy...: On last thing you should know. I keep my bees in a top bar hive. So maybe someone can help that knows a bit about them".
The Pres... "Geeesh! There is your problem! Anybody keeping bees in a box like that deserves to lose them! That ain't beekeeping!"
Cindy never attended the county association again. And this is why the same group that was there 10 year ago, are the same folks that are there today, with few exceptions.
;)
I am familiar with the reaction some have to top bar beekeepers/treatment free beekeepers etc. My take on it is this: In our club (Northeast NJ Beekeepers) we love ALL beekeepers. There are those who believe in hard chemicals/soft chemicals/no chemicals etc.
Mostly I think it has a lot to do with how you were mentored. It doesn't matter to us. Our primary directive (like on Star Trek) is to promote the practice of beekeeping, increase the knowledge of honeybees and how valuable they are to us and the gentleness of honeybees. Period. How you keep bees varies as much as the differences in personalities of individuals. There are mentors and supporters for all types of beekeeping. We encourage and help each and every beekeeper who comes to use our club as a resource. That may be why, in some small part, we have increased our membership from the mid 30's to almost 100 in 2 years. If you love bees then join our club.
You can see our website at nnjbees.org. Give us a try.
Bee well,
Rich