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1 Meeting Monday, February 25 th, 2019 By: Donna Victors Officers Present: Steve & Donna Victors Matthew Forester Ty Tobias Meeting called to order at 6:35 PM. Mia Kirk made a presentation. Her info is in New Business. Treasurer s Report: Four outstanding bills: $27.98, $78.44, $26.96, and $7.58. Dan Bale moved to pay the bills; Carol seconded it; Jim A opposed paying the bills; 4 didn t care about bills; the majority voted to pay the bills; so we did. New Business: Mia Kirk, Development Specialist from the AK Division of Agri- culture presented the Honey Bee survey pest and disease results in a power point presentation. The link of the pdf to view the presentation is pasted below. Mia s contact information is as follows: Direct: Main: Mia.Kirk@alaska.gov Members Teaching Classes: SABA s beginning beekeeping class is a two-part class taking place downstairs at the VFW Hall in Eagle River on March 9 th and the 16 th, from 12:00-5:30 for $45. Steve Victors is the instructor. Preregistration may be sent in to the return address on this newsletter or register from 11:30-12:00 on the 9 th. This is from Barbara Bachmeier regarding her class: 1

2 She will repeat this on March 9 th. Linda Gorman taught a bee class in Homer. Dena Tanguay taught a bee class in Glacier View. Bee Orders: Jack Anderson s bees are $210 cash price. His website is beehivealaska.com or Alex King s bees are $185 to $220. Alex s number is or royalalaskanhoney@gmail.com. Website: RoyalAlaskanHoney.com Steve Victors bees are $205. His number is or AlaskaWildflowerHoney.com. Steve gave a weather status report on the past several weeks in California. The rainy cold weather has not only affected the almond bloom, which is a week behind, but the bees are affected as well. The beekeepers cannot get the bees in or out of the orchards due to the flooding. Orchard growers didn t mow or use the sweepers down to bare dirt. The reason they do this is to prevent fungal development. Almond growers have one chance in a three week time period to make their annual income. They are concerned that there s a higher percentage chance of fungus that could wipe out their entire almond crop. So the orchard growers need to spray a fungicide which, as you know, is on the pollen, which the bees take back to the hive. (When they can fly, that is, when it s not raining or cold.) The EPA tests fungicide s impact on honeybees. Pesticide management as well as all tests take place on adult bees not on larval health. University of Ohio or Ohio State University conducted a survey on pesticides and fungicides on almond trees impacts on larval bees and found there was a significant problem in California. The poor weather has caused a delay in almond bloom, the hives are more difficult to manage due to flooding it s too early to breed queens right now. The almond bloom impacts the hive population tremendously and our packaged bees are their swarm control. Steve explained the grafting of day old eggs into the queen cell frames and how queen rearing takes place AFTER the almond bloom. Almonds are behind; so cell builder colonies are behind; nucleus colonies are behind. Bottom line is THINGS ARE BEHIND SCHEDULE. We don t know how this will roll out for our packages in April. Jack stated that his order form one of his suppliers was at least a week behind schedule. Jack, Alex and Steve still have packages. Questions from Members: How can I tell if my overwintered colony will make it? How strong do they sound? 2

3 If you re wintering outside, figure a 50% loss. Inside, figure 60-75% success as this should be a more controlled environment. One factor to consider is the type of bee as well as the amount of feed they had. Another is sugar feed or honey. If honey, they have a heavier gut load to deal with in our long winter since they defecate outside the hive. If you have Italians, consider more loss since they take more feed than the other bees. If you have a winter hardy breed such as Carniolan, Buckfast or Russian, figure less loss. Do you have a varroa mite problem? If you have an already overwintered colony and did not treat for mites, then the mites will decimate the colony. Realize it is easier to get rid of a package in April rather than find a package in April. Talk to your supplier so that he is aware that you are overwintering. Order a package just in case. If you have a dead out, what do you do with the feed stores? Spin out all but one or two frames. Save those to be with the spring bees in case your feeder runs out. Thick feed tells the bees it s still winter; thin feed stimulates the bees that it s spring nectar. The queen will start laying eggs. Discussion regarding fully drawn out frames versus bare foundation. ALWAYS PUT A PACKAGE OF BEES ON DRAWN COMB! Put your best frames in the center of the box. Do NOT stagger drawn foundation with bare foundation as the bees will make the drawn foundation fatter and will ignore the bare foundation. In August, after harvest, put the bees on bare foundation in ONE box as they ll draw out all the foundation more easily then & rather quickly. (Give them feed!) The bees need to be 80 degrees to make wax. Slovenian Hive Presentation Dena & Tank Tanquay brought two Slovenian hives and talked about the differences between the two sellers hives. Dena presented pros and cons of each aspect of the Slovenian versus Langstroth as well as the differences between the two Slovenian hives as one was made in Slovenian and the other in the neighboring country of Czech Republic or Slovakia. News from our Southern Members: From Linda Gorman: News from the southern beekeepers, the Homer keepers. All of the beekeepers I talk to are getting excited about getting their hives out of winter storage or checking the outside overwintered hives. We should be getting a window of decent weather that will allow us to get some fondant and pollen in the hives. Stoked Beekeeping has around 90 hives in their wintering conex; and it sounds like all is well in there. Homer has over 120 beekeepers in the area. They are on the Old Sterling, the North Fork Road, out East End and up on Ohlson Mountain. Several of us are trying different wintering techniques and will compare notes this spring on what worked and what didn t. It s always a crap shoot down here with our very wet cool climate. Linda Gorman, owner of Homer Girls Honey, flew to Seldovia to give a beekeeping talk for the Seldovia Native Corporation. The talk was well received; there were lots of questions. 3

4 Linda Gorman held a beekeeping class on February 16 for 12 students. It was a beginning/intermediate class. A few people who are already keeping bees came to gain more knowledge. Raffle tickets were drawn for a large number of items. ******************************************************** SABA Library: Hosts Diane Blas at or dianeblas@aol.com and Kathie Steele at or steele4@gci.net will be gathering the books for our members to borrow videos and books. If you have any books or DVDs for our Club library, please contact Diane or Kathie. Here are the books and materials available for checkout: The Backyard Beekeeper The Hive and the Honey Bee Better Bee Keeping: Ultimate Guide Healthy Bees by Kim Flottum The Life and Times of the Honeybee by Charles Micucci HoneyBees Thematic Unit (Teaching Purposes) Bee Poster 32 x 24 Various posters for teaching classes Beekeeping in Alaska from the Cooperative Extension Service Welcome to our Honey Farm, Children's activity book (teaching purposes) Study Prints (3 sets) Ray Reynolds (Anchorage) / : Barbara Bachmeier has this set now and may be contacted at Angela Houser (Palmer) Leslie Skan (Wasilla) *********************************************************************** Here are several popcorn recipes that use honey. There was a honey nut recipe that won a ribbon at the Fair years ago. I ve not found that recipe, but it s not from lack of trying! I have no idea where these recipes came from as they were handwritten on pieces of paper. Donna V Honey Nut Crunch Popcorn 3 qts popped popcorn (no kernels!) 2 c pecan halves 1/2 c butter 1/2 c honey 1 tsp vanilla Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 4

5 Combine popcorn and nuts in large heat-proof bowl; set aside. Combine butter, honey and vanilla in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until butter melts. Pour honey mixture over popcorn mixture. Stir until combined. Divide mixture and place on 2 baking sheets. Bake 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until light golden brown. Makes 3 qts Honey Nut Popcorn Recipe 7 cups popcorn, salted ½ cup peanuts 2 Tbs honey 3 tbs light margarine ½ tsp cinnamon Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray large baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Put popcorn into large bowl, mix in peanuts. Microwave honey, margarine, and cinnamon for 30 seconds; stir. Pour over popcorn, stirring gently with greased spoon to coat. Spread popcorn evenly in pan. Bake minutes, stirring once. Let cool before serving. 7 Servings Honey Nut Popcorn Makes 6 servings 3 quarts popped popcorn 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds 1/2 cup finely chopped dried apricots 1-1/3 cups sugar 1/3 cup honey 1/4 cup water 1 teaspoon lemon or orange extract In large, greased mixing bowl, combine popcorn, almonds and apricots; mix well. In saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, honey and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly for about 5 to 7 minutes (apx. 280 on candy thermometer, the soft-crack stage). Remove pan from heat. Immediately stir in extract. Quickly pour syrup over popcorn mixture. Stir thoroughly to make sure all pieces are coated. Serve immediately. To make popcorn balls: Grease hands with butter or margarine. Working fast, scoop up enough popcorn mixture to make a mediumsized ball. Shape firmly into ball and place on waxed paper. When balls are slightly cooled, re-grease hands and firmly press each popcorn ball again so shape will hold. Serve immediately or store in airtight container. Makes 15 to 18 popcorn balls Honey Nut Popcorn Mix nuts and seeds to the popped corn. Set aside. 5

6 1 quart popped popcorn 1 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans or peanuts) 1 cup sunflower seed Stir honey and water together over medium heat until candy thermometer registers 250Â F. ¼ cup honey ¼ cup water Add butter, vanilla, salt and wheat germ. ¼ cup butter 1 Tbs. vanilla ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. wheat germ Pour over popcorn in a large bowl and mix well. Spread mixture into a large baking pan. Bake at 300Â F for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Stir in 1 cup raisins. Return to oven and bake 15 minutes longer. Cool and serve in small bowls or sacks, or form into small balls. Mexi Popcorn Recipe 8 cups plain popped popcorn ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp. garlic powder 1 tbsp. chili powder In a small bowl, stir together cheese and seasonings. Pour over just-popped (warm) popcorn, toss to coat. 8 servings. Honey Glazed Popcorn Makes 2 cups ¾ cup butter or margarine 2/3 cup honey 2/3 cup packed brown sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 2½ teaspoons vanilla ½ teaspoon baking soda 3 quarts popped popcorn 1½ cups roasted peanuts Melt butter in large saucepan; stir in honey, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Bring to boil; stir constantly. Reduce heat to medium; boil without stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; quickly stir in vanilla and soda. Place popcorn in large, heatproof bowl; slowly pour syrup over popcorn while stirring. Add peanuts; mix thoroughly. Turn into 2 greased 15-1/4 x 10-1/4x3/4-inch baking pans. Bake at 250 F for 45 minutes; stir every 15 minutes with spatula. Scrape honey mixture from pan and coat popcorn thoroughly each time. Remove from oven; cool. Break into serving-sized pieces. Store in tightly covered container. Makes 6 servings. Cracker Jax Munchies Recipe 6

7 2 qts popped popcorn 1 ½ cups peanuts ¾ cup honey Pinch of salt Mix popcorn & peanuts in large mixing bowl; set aside. Heat honey to a boil in small saucepan; let simmer on low 10 minutes. Cook honey and salt in a saucepan over medium heat until syrup reaches 245 on candy thermometer or until a few drops tested in cold water form a firm ball which does not flatten when removed from the water. Pour over popcorn in a very thin, steady stream. (Fork the syrup through the popcorn thoroughly while you pour.)pour over popcorn, stirring gently with greased spoon to coat. 8 Servings Honey-nut Popcorn Balls (makes about 20) 6 tablespoons butter ½ cup sugar ½ cup light brown sugar 2 tsp. salt ¼ cup light corn syrup 2 tbl. honey ¾ tsp. baking soda 10 ups popped corn (1 plain microwave bag or 1/4 cup kernels) 1½ cups roasted almonds (or whatever nut you like) Have on hand an oiled bowl, with the popped popcorn in it, and two oiled, heat-proof spatulas or spoons. (Be vigilant about removing all unpopped kernels.) In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add sugars, salt, honey, and corn syrup and cook to 300 degrees over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. The mixture will look thick and bubbly. Add the baking soda and stir well to incorporate; it will increase in volume. Pour the caramel evenly over the popcorn in the oiled bowl, then sprinkle the nuts. Using your spatulas or spoons, toss together until corn is evenly coated. When the caramel has cooled somewhat but not brittle, after two to three minutes of tossing, shape into two-inch balls with lightly oiled hands. (Don t be afraid to really crush the popcorn to mold it into a ball. And, since the caramel is still somewhat hot at this point, this isn t an activity for kids). Caramel Nut Popcorn Recipe 1. ½ cup popcorn 2. 5 tablespoons vegetable oil 3. 2 tablespoons honey 4. ¾ cup sugar g butter 6. ½ cup peanuts, crushed 7

8 1. Cover the bottom of a big saucepan with vegetable oil, heat slowly.(when you place a piece of corn in the oil & it spins, it s ready). 2. Add the popping corn. 3. Cover & shake saucepan regularly until popping sound ceases. 4. Empty popcorn into a large bowl & discard any un-popped kernels. 5. In a small saucepan, stir honey, sugar & butter over a low flame until the sugar has dissolved. Then boil uncovered for 5 minutes. 6. remove from heat, mix peanuts through & pour over popcorn then mix to coat. 7. Spread over a large, greased tray to cool. 8. Break into approximately 15 large round chunks. 9. Store in airtight container. Honey Roasted Popcorn Pop and set aside: 20 cups air popped corn 1 cup nuts (optional) 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 c honey 1 cube butter... melt together and bring to a boil. Note: If you want to add peanut butter, cinnamon, maple syrup, birch syrup just add ¼ c to the above mixture. May use both honey and second flavor, especially with honey peanut butter flavor. When syrup begins boiling and bubbling remove from in and quickly stir in: 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp baking soda. Turn mixture into large roasting pan. Bake at 250F 30 min, gently stirring corn every 5 minutes. Let cool until you can separate with fingers. Enjoy. Lasts a long time inside metal tins. Warning...once you begin you can't stop so be prepared to make more than one batch!! If you have any recipes (lotions, balms, & soaps too) that you enjoy making that use honey and would like to share, please send them to Donna at victors@mtaonline.net. Upcoming event: SABA SOUP SOCIAL 8

9 Bring your favorite soup or bread/rolls to share. Come meet the new-bees, find out who is new in your area, and welcome them to our wonderful club. This will be a perfect time to network with other beekeepers. There will be a contact information sign-up sheet for those who want to networkto find a mentor or a mentee. (Must be a SABA member.) Date: Time: Monday, March 26 th 6:30-8:30 PM Southcentral Alaska Beekeepers Association c/o Steve Victors 7449 S Babcock Blvd, Wasilla, AK