Welcome to the Eastern Connecticut Beekeepers Association, an organization for beekeeping hobbyists and enthusiasts. Monthly meetings provide an opportunity for both new and experienced beekeepers to share their knowledge and experiences. Guest speakers or club members present a talk or demonstration on a topic that is pertinent to the beekeeper's calendar. If you have always wanted to learn more about beekeeping, please consider signing up for our annual "Bee School."

We will be conducting an introductory beekeeping course for anyone with an interest in bees/beekeeping. People who already have colonies are also invited to attend.  Classes will be held at the University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus in the W.B. Young Building on Thursday evenings from 6:30PM 10:00PM with registration at 6:00 PM on the first evening. Class dates are January 26, February 2, February 9, and February 16, with February 23 reserved as a snow date in the event of a class cancellation. (If UConn is closed due to weather, class will not be held.)

The class will be a lecture and interactive series, focusing on honeybees and beekeeping, with emphasis on management for pollination and honey production.  The classes will be conducted by experienced beekeepers Adam Fuller from Hampton CT, Alex Nishball from Mansfield CT and Tim Grilley from Salem CT.

There is a $75 registration fee.  The fee includes the class book, “The Backyard Beekeeper”, the class and a one year membership in the Eastern Connecticut Beekeepers Association.  To register, click the link below, complete the registration form and return it with a $75 check to: ECBA, P.O. Box 487, Tolland, CT  06084. Register by mail before 1/15/12.  After that date, you may register on the first evening of class.

>>Click Here for Registration Form (requires Adobe Reader)

Sources within the EPA tell us that agency scientists have been voicing concern over the neonicotinoids since they first came up for registration over 15 years ago with special concern raised over impact to honey bees. Our sources also told us, however, that scientists can’t even suggest a connection between pesticides and colony losses for fear of being ostracized and excluded from meetings. – Dan Rather

Bee Aware from Greg Stanley on Vimeo.