OBBA Announcements

What's the buzz?

Our Meetings

Virtual Meetings until we can meet in person again!

View previous meeting presentations on our website (news-and-updates/past-meeting-presentations)

Workshops

We are still able to do some workshop activities safely during these COVID times …

If you are interested in visiting our association apiary or our member apiary, please reach out to one of our apiary managers on Slack.

Additional Workshop Ideas

• Hive inspections
• Varroa count/treatment
• Build a super (Build a hive)
• Mead Making
• Wax Rendering
• Swarm Capture

Storage

Performed Storage Housekeeping:

• Financially
  • Smaller storage bin
  • Placed appropriately in association name
• Logistically
  • Moved equipment into the new storage bin

Honey

We sold over 30 bottles last month!

We have more OBBA honey to purchase if you want some!

Research: The impact of beekeeper treatment on honeybee viruses

• Allison:
  • OBBA Member
  • Biology PhD student at UCF
• Goal: To help inform local beekeepers of what works best for their area in keeping viral loads down

To participate:

• Survey regarding the various tools and methods we as beekeepers use to improve bee health
• Additionally, would like to sample hives of willing beekeepers for common viruses (like Deformed Wing Virus, Black Queen Cell Virus, etc.).

http://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9tRwAt5jPs0RaM5

Social Media

Facebook: OrangeBlossomBeekeepers

(Run by Beth)

Instagram: OrangeBlossomBeekeepers

(Run by Julia)

Slack: obba.slack.com

(Run by Andrew)

YouTube: Orange Blossom Beekeepers

OBBA Website: orangeblossombeekeepers.org

We have been adding some new features and content:

• Online Event Calendar (obba-calendar)
• Online Membership Sign-up (join-obba)
• WikiBee (obba-wiki-bee)

Outreach

Black Bee Honey Project

Work in progress for now…

Plans:

• A condensed (6 mo) program
• 3 (likely virtual) 45 min lessons once a week and a hands on lesson at South side farms in Paramore make up one month
• No start date - idea generation and interest finding phase

Membership

OBBA Memembership

You can pay your annual dues:

OrangeBlossomBeekeepers.org/join-obba/

OBBA Member Apiary

• If you:
  • Do not have a place to practice beekeeping AND
  • Would like to have a hive

Let Matt (OBBA President) or Andrew/Craig (Apiary Managers) know!

OBBA Leadership

• OBBA President: Matt Rensberry
• OBBA Vice-President: Miranda Clemetel
• Treasurer: Debra NcNamee
• Secretary: Brandon Thompson
• Membership Director: Debra McNamee
• Communications Director: Beth Fox
• Apiary Managers: Andrew Beard, Craig Wright
• Webmaster: Andrew Beard

Proposal for volunteer positions

1. Communications Director
   • Promotes the club and events we have
   • Coordinate our public face
2. Advertising Director
   • Contact sponsors
   • Build relationships with sponsors
3. Speaker's Bureau
   • People willing to speak to other groups
   • Develop a collection of presentations

Interested? Send Matt a private message (Slack or emailtallmtt@gmail.com)

Sep/Oct Bee Management

Current UF Management Recommendations (Sep)

• Super colonies if strong Brazilian Pepper Flow
• Monitor colonies for varroa
• Feed colonies if light
• Consider treating colonies for Nosema if needed

What is blooming in Central Florida (Sep)

Current UF Management Recommendations (Oct)

• Monitor colonies for varroa
• Consider treating colonies for Nosema using Fumagilin
• Monitor for and control small hive beetles
• Feed colonies if light

What is blooming in Central Florida (Oct)

Stay involved, Stay connected

• OrangeBlossomBeekeepers.org
• Slack: OBBA.slack.com
• Facebook: Orangeblossombeekeepers
• Instagram: OrangeBlossomBeekeepers

How to Make a Honeybee

Speaker: Andrew Beard