Beginner and Intermediate Bee School Classes Scheduled
Master Beekeeper Erin MacGregor-Forbes will be teaching bee school through Cumberland County Cooperative Extension again this year.
Call Cooperative Extension at 781-6099 for more information and registration details.
Intermediate School will be held February 6 - March 12, 2012. See the Cooperative Extension website for details. here
Making Overwintering Nucs workshop
Master Beekeeper Erin MacGregor-Forbes will be teaching a workshop on Overwintering Summer Nucs July 16, 2011.
Erin Forbes wrapping nucs for winter
This workshop is designed for beekeepers with 2+ years of beekeeping experience.
In the workshop we will discuss how making summer nucs can play a key role in creating your sustainable northern apiary.
There will be a hands on demonstration of nuc creation in the Cumberland County Beekeepers Association Club Apiary, using the CCBA Club hives. Northern Raised queens for this workshop will be provided by French Hill Apiaries of St Albans, VT.
Cost of the workshop is $140 and includes two northern raised queens and a divided deep hive body to house your two nucs.
(you will need a solid bottom board and telescoping cover, as well as at least one strong colony in your home apiary to make your own nucs.)
More information is available on the CCBA Website at http://mainebeekeepers.org/cumberland-county-beekeepers/events/summer-nuc-workshop/
Intermediate Bee School Canceled for tonight.
All of USM campus is closed today and tonight due to the storm.
See you all next Wednesday at 6:30 and we will schedule a make-up.
Intermediate Bee School Begins January 12, 2011
Master Beekeeper Erin MacGregor-Forbes will be teaching a six week Intermediate Bee School beginning January 12, 2011.
Class is coordinated by Cumberland County Cooperative Extension and will be held Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:30 pm on the USM Portland campus. For more information and registration, contact CCext at 207-780-4205.
Bee School “Field Day” Open Hive Postponed
We will not be having the CCExt Bee School "Field Day" today due to forecasted rain and thundershowers. The Field Day will be held on the rain date: tomorrow, 7/11/2010 from 2-4pm. 85 Bradley Drive, Westbrook, Maine.
Tony Jadczak, Mark Plaisted, and Geoff MacLean will be on hand to lead the hive openings. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend. I will be at the Cumberland County Bee Club open hive instead.
Nuc workshop postponed for rain – new date June 25 1-4 pm
The making summer nucs workshop will be postponed until the rain date, June 25, 2010 due to poor weather.
There are still three spaces available. If you would like to sign up, please email me directly. queenbee@overlandhoney.com
2010 Swarm Workshop Scheduled
Cumberland County Beekeepers Association
Swarm Prevention, Management, and Capture Hands-on Workshop
April 7, 2010 7 pm – 9 pm
Location: Wilson School, North Yarmouth Maine
Presenter: Erin MacGregor-Forbes, Master Beekeeper
This will be a lecture style workshop discussing the causes of and reasons for honeybee swarms, how to manage and reduce the swarm impulse in your own colonies, how to make splits (artificial swarms) and how to capture swarms once they have left the colony. Participants will learn the fundamentals of how to assess their colonies’ swarm preparations, how to make a split, what to have on hand to be ready to capture swarms, and how to make a “Swarm Trap.”
Each registered Participant will leave the workshop with one plant pot style swarm trap ready for use in his or her own apiary. (as shown above, minus the bees)
The purpose of this workshop is to begin educating our membership in methods of sustainable apiary management and prevention of nuisance bee issues.
Cost will be $40 which includes the “swarm trap”. Participation is limited to 30 people. Please use the form below to register.
Or by check:
Please make check payable to:
Overland Apiaries and mail to:
Erin Forbes
188 Capisic Street
Portland, Maine 04102
Bee School in York County Maine – February 2010
Beginning Bee School taught by Master Beekeeper Erin Forbes and MSBA Board member Larry Peiffer
More information here: http://www.calendar.umaine.edu/?days=1&start=20100222
Erin will be teaching Bee Schools in Cumberland and York County
February 22, 2010
York County - Springvale - The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service is co-ordinating a 5 week course, meeting on 5 consecutive Monday evenings, 6:00 to 8:30 PM, starting February 22th until March 29. The class sessions will be held at the Nason College. A field session will be included. Regular Instructors will be Master Beekeeper Erin Forbes, and Experienced Beekeeper Larry Peiffer, both are Maine State Beekeeper Association Board Members. The cost of the course is $85 per person. Pre-Registration is required by February 17. Enrollment is limited to 40 Students. . Click here for a pdf application and information. For more information contact University of Maine Cooperative Extension in York County at 1-800-287-1535 (in state) or 207-324-2814 or email: frankw@umext.maine.edu
Gallery of Teaching Images
Intermediate Bee School to be Offered
Apiary Management - Intermediate “Bee School”
Instructor: Erin MacGregor-Forbes, Master Beekeeper;
Instructor: Erin MacGregor-Forbes, Master Beekeeper; Guest Instructor, Anthony Jadczak, Maine State Apiarist
5 Sessions at the University of Southern Maine Portland Campus, at a class room to be determined, on WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, January 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, and the 24 is a snow date.
Apiary management is a 5 week Intermediate Bee School designed to hone the skills of beekeepers. The focus will be for beekeepers with 2-5 years of experience and 2-12 colonies. The course content will emphasize practical honey bee colony management techniques for beekeepers
Cost: $80.00 per person (or couple). Space limits this course to 45 people.
FMI Contact University 207-780-4205 or 1-800-287-1471 of Maine Cooperative Extension (toll-free in Maine only).
PDF of Course Description - Intermediate Apiary Management 2010
PDF of Course Application - Intermediate Bee School Registration Form
Gallery of Teaching Images