Woohoo, new yard is official

[bigbearomaha]

We have been in discussion with a local nature center forest in the area to establish a yard starting in the Spring of 2010.

As of today I was informed that it has been approved and all is official now.  We have 1,400 acres of conserved forest,
prairie, and marsh lands available to us now.

I am just about bursting with excitement and gratitude for this opportunity.

Yee Haawww!

big bear

[Michael Bush]

Cool.

[bigbearomaha]

I think it is.   I would like to add  that all of our inspections and observations will be posted online for each colony throughout the year, so everyone is invited and able to follow the progress of our project as we go.

Also, anyone here is welcome to participate in our forum as we welcome the information and experience others have to offer as we work to produce healthy, plentiful honey bees in the area.

Big Bear

[fermentedhiker]

Congratulations.  I'm more than a little bit jealous :)

[slaphead]

Wow, that sounds like one nice location.

8-)

[bigbearomaha]

it's pretty good.  runs right along the Missouri river

Fontenelle Forest

This is an aerial view of the forest

[Bee Happy]

bear, am I right inferring that you're looking to generate feral colonies to go out into the world?

[bigbearomaha]

in the long run, queens, nucs and in general, breeding survivor stock.  some to put out to outyards, some to send to other beekeepers and some to just go on their way out into the world.

Big Bear

[G3farms]

That sounds great, and like a pretty big project, hope it all goes well.

How many hives are you going to move to the forest?
Are bears a big concern where you are taking them to?

G3

[bigbearomaha]

Bears are not found in this area (except for me, that is).  maybe a stray bobcat or some wild turkey or deer could wander in and kick something over though.

All said and done, we anticipate keeping up to about 25 hives in the main yard, with smaller yards scattered throughout the forest possibly being opened up.

All new equipment is going to be introduced which I am building myself. so a clean start for every colony to be hived there.

The forest center staff are terrific in their support and we will be putting together some educational activities throughout the year to teach folks about bees in general and even eventually offer some level of beekeeping class/course for a limited number of people each year.

It is already getting interesting getting things prepared.  Lot's of stuff to build and get together.

Big Bear

[G3farms]

Sounds like you are really stoked to get going, I am glad for ya.

Best of luck with it, you had better get busy building boxes now! ;)

G3

[bigbearomaha]

Thank you. It's going to be a terrific learning experienced for all of us involved.   :-D

Big Bear

[ziffabeek]

I just saw this Big Bear!  Congratulations that sounds soo cool.

Just shows, if you put the energy out there, the universe provides!

YAY!

love,
ziffa

[vermmy35]

Gratz to you bud.

[bigbearomaha]

thank you.  right now just keeping busy building hives and putting educational materials together.

Big Bear