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Pennsylvania - Montgomery County Beekeepers' Association

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Pennsylvania - Montgomery County Beekeepers' Association (MCBA)
 

Serving Montgomery, Bucks and surrounding counties in Pennsylvania, the MCBA is an association of hobbyist and professional beekeepers.  Our mission is to provide education, hands-on training, support, and fellowship in all aspects of beekeeping.  Both experienced beekeepers and novices participate in our monthly meetings, field trips, and social events.


 

Coming to the Joint MCBA / PSBA Summer Picnic on August 10th at 9am - 5pm?

 

Well if you are planning to join us, be sure to click on the RSVP button at left and tell us how many in your family are coming and what activities you want to participate in.  The survey will also record what type of dish you are planning to bring to the Pot Luck!

 

For more details on the Picnic see our picnic page and directions.

 

See you then!

 


EAS at West Chester University!

 

Don't forget that EAS is at West Chester University this year.  You can't miss this opportunity to participate in the EAS Conference and Short Courses so close to home!  Print a copy of the flyer here.

 

 


MCBA Wins 1st Prize for Booth at 2013 PA Farm Show!

 

Who says that the number “13” is unlucky? MCBA has won first place at the 2013 PA Farm Show for the best ‘County or Association Collective Exhibit (Class 33)’ in the Miscellaneous category of the Apiary Products competition!

 

The exhibit explained the varied roles that a worker bee has throughout her short six week life.

 

This first place win marks the fourth time in six years that MCBA has brought home a blue ribbon in the Association Exhibit class. This year, the first place premium ($500) was sponsored by the generous Dutch Gold Honey company in Lancaster, PA. Congratulations to this year’s Farm Show team: Priscilla Bonsell, Harold Jenkins, Joe Duffy, Walt Fitzgerald, Jim Bobb, Chris Gouldey, Deb & Bruce Gibby, Ronni Menard, Vince Aloyo, Jim Bobb and Brian Marcy. (Please let me know if I missed anyone!)

 

A special thanks to all MCBA members who supplied the beautiful examples of hive products to display at the Farm Show.


 

EAS to be in PA in 2013

The Eastern Apicultural Society Annual Conference will be in West Chester, PA August 5-9, 2013,  http://www.easternapiculture.org/conferences/eas-2013.html . We expect there to be a great need for local volunteers at that event, so we are not planning to hold Bee Fest in 2013.  We hope to see all of you in West Chester at EAS in 2013 and again at Bee Fest in 2014.


Can You Tell Them Apart?  Part of the fear that gives rise to hysteria in communities about backyard beekeeping is the simple inability to tell the honeybee apart from more agressive insects like wasps and yellow jackets.  The honeybee is so busy collecting pollen, this lowly vegetarian has no time to visit your picnics or bother you when you are mowing or landscaping.  See the facts here.

 

Did You Know?

Many people claim to be allergic to bees based on local swelling that occurs based upon stings that have often come from other insects and NOT from honeybees.  While life threatening reactions to stings are possible and should not be taken lightly, most people who claim to be allergic are actually just experiencing their body's normal reaction to the venom from a wasp or bee sting -- local swelling and heat.  Did you know that you can get tested?  Your local allergist can arrange for testing to confirm not only whether you are allergic but also which species you might have allergies to.  The scratch tests are administered much like environmental allergen scratch tests where the venoms of a wide variety of stinging insects can be tested to judge the reaction strength.  If you are found to have a high sensitivity, you can get allergy shots that will help to boost your immune system and prevent the undesired response upon encountering a sting.  More importantly the allergist will help you put in perspective what kind of insect you might be sensitive too, so that you don't blame the beneficial insects that are all around us.


 

Looking for Local Honey?

Check out the MCBA Marketplace.


SWARMCall us, don't email

 

It is that time of year again, when the hives feel a little cramped and ambitious queens decide to decamp for more spacious digs.  Swarms are a part of spring, and our early warmth may make this season worse than others.

 

Our Swarm Control page has everything you need to know if you spot a swarm, including a list of first responders in your area.


The Beauty of the Bees

 

Check out the article by Kadua Galietti on the Beauty of the Bees and the beautiful macro photography work that accompanies the article.

 

http://organicconnectmag.com/wp/kodua-galieti-the-beauty-of-the-bees/

 


Upcoming Events

For the full club calendar, see the Calendar of Events page.

 

For a printable version of the calendar, see our current newsletter or this file.

 

Jun 11 - Executive Board Meeting 7pm, Lansdale Public Library 
 
Jun 12 - Beginner Beekeeping Course 6pm, 4-H Center

 

Jun 19 - General Meeting  7 pm, 4-H Center, Speaker:  Dr. Vincent Aloyo Cooking with Honey  

 

EAS Conference & Short Courses!!
August 5 - 9, West Chester University
Don't forget that it is in our backyard this year only!!
 
August 10, Joint PSBA / MCBA Summer Picnic, Morris Arboretum, 9am - 5pm
 
Don't forget to register for club membership for next year on our registration page or by sending a check to us at MCBA:
 
MCBA
P.O. Box 203
Hatfield, PA 19440

Have Crystallized Honey in Your Pantry?

Don't worry, honey crystallization is a natural phenomenon and common in honey -- especially in honey that has not been pasteurized -- the honey that provides so many health benefits!  Read this interesting article about why it occurs and how gentle warming of your honey will get you flowing again.

 


 

Amendment to Act 106 Signed Into Law

 

The bill to amend the Food Safety Act was signed into law by the governor of PA.  It exempts honey producers who process and sell all of their honey from a single location from having to register with the State.  It does not exempt the producers from inspections.  Read the text of the bill HERE!


 

MCBA and PSBA Membership!

Click Here to Join!

Annual dues are $10 to join / renew your membership with MCBA.  You may also send your PSBA State Beekeeper dues of $20 Indiv / $25 Household (total of $30 or $35 for both MCBA and PSBA) and receive 10 state newsletters each year, encourage research on bee health and promote efforts to dissuade local townships and boroughs from restricting beekeeping.


Hive Not Registered?

Think you have Foul Brood?

Registering your hive is not just good beekeeping practice, it is the law.  Our region has a very high incidence of foul brood, which is a very communicable bacterial infection in hives.  Register your hive, schedule an inspection and discuss what you are seeing with our skilled region inspectors.  The apiary registration form is available here.

Due to lack of government funding for state inspectors, if you suspect that you have foul brood, MCBA has foul brood test kits available for our members.  Use the contact form and one or our experienced members will assist you in diagnosis.  Not a member?  Join today, it is only $10 per year! 


Want to Advertise an Area Event?

We have launched a page to post area events.  We are offering these postings for other non-profit clubs and for MCBA members in good standing.  If you are looking for local programs, check it out!


 MCBA Meeting Location:

 

Montgomery County 4-H Center

1015 Bridge Road (Route 113)

Skippack, PA 19426

 

Contact MCBA at:  montcobee@yahoo.com