FILENAME: DECAPIS.91
Florida Extension Beekeeping Newsletter
Apis--Apicultural Information and Issues (ISSN 0889-3764)
Volume 9, Number 12, December 1991
TAKING STOCK
Every December, I try to reflect on events of the past year as
published in this newsletter. This is the 107th consecutive
monthly issue of APIS, making it one of the longest running and
most frequently published beekeeping newsletters in the nation.
As the information age continues to mature, so does APIS. The
format was radically changed with publication of the June issue.
It is now possible, without adding to production costs, to put more
words into a single issue, provide three columns instead of two,
strategically place text in shaded boxes, and provide emphasis
using "pull quotes." One change, the use of white paper (June and
July), was abandoned after loyal readers said they preferred the
traditional goldenrod color. Finally, the newsletter is now
available worldwide through electronic networks like BITNET and
INTERNET, as well as the ONLINE service provided to users of the
IFAS VAX here on campus.
Predictably, the African honey bee got the most ink in 1991,
the first full year of its colonization of the U.S. Updated
information on bee stings and reactions, prompted by concerns that
African stinging incidents have to do with toxic envenomation, not
allergy, was published in March. The next issue discussed an
article published in the Atlanta Constitution newspaper on African
bees and how misinformation can creep into press coverage on this
insect. Several scientific studies published on the bees were
cited as well as the new major book on the species, The African
Honey Bee, edited by M. Spivak and others (published by Westview
Press). Finally, the September issue carried a description of what
beekeepers might explore as alternative activities associated with
the invasion of the African bee.
Two articles on queen quality and two on blueberry pollination
(January and February) were brand new topics of interest this year.
Other articles highlighted a new computer bulletin board for bees
(January), value of bee attractants (February), honey bees as food
(March), organic labelling of honey in Florida (May and July), the
tracheal mite enigma (June, republished in the November 1991 issue
of The Speedy Bee), mosquito spraying (July) and reports on Chinese
beekeeping and the American Bee Research Convention in Tucson,
Arizona (October).
The problems associated with modern apiculture including
tracheal and Varroa mites, as well as African bees, have also
brought on a crisis for the regulatory community which is now
reassessing its role and resources. In August and October, I
reported that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services (FDACS) was contemplating fees for registration and
inspections. This month is likely to be pivotal as the FDACS Honey
Bee Technical Advisory Committee meets December 19 to debate the
issue. A major workshop on bee and beekeeper certification held in
October in St. Louis, MO also concerned itself with the role and
financing of state bee inspection services.
Beyond bee inspection, other governmental agencies are deeply
affected by the budgetary crunch associated with recession,
including the University of Florida and Department of
Entomology/Nematology (September and October). In this regard, I
would like to thank the Escarosa Beekeepers Association for its
generous gift of $100.00 to the apiculture extension program.
Gifts like this not only provide needed funds, but communicate to
administrators the value of extension programming to the beekeeping
community.
Here is a detailed index of last year's APIS issues:
January--Making Beeswax-Based Creams; On Queen Quality; Blueberry
Pollination.
February--Electronic Computer Bee Bulletin Board; More on Queen
Quality and Blueberry Pollination; Changes in Citrus Cultivation;
Bee Attractants.
March--Bees as Food; Costs of Beekeeping; Bee Stings and Reactions;
Certification of Beekeepers and Long-Range Planning.
April--African Bees--The Case of Misinformation; Honey Recipes;
Panhandle Feeding Study; Citizen Ambassadors; Bee Science and
events at the IBRA.
May--African Bees; Feeding Protein; Newspaper as Smoker Fuel;
Organic Labelling.
June--Tracheal Mite Enigma; National Honey Board Referendum.
July--Mosquito Spraying; Formic Acid for Mite Control; Organic
Labelling and News From Georgia.
August--Florida Bee Inspection: User Fees; Census of Beekeepers;
Aldicarb Update.
September--Budget Situation; African Bee Alternatives.
October--Registration Fees for Beekeepers; Chinese Beekeeping;
American Bee Research Conference in Tucson, Arizona; Budgets.
November--Activities of the National Honey Board; Georgia Study on
Pesticide Use.
1992 4-H ESSAY CONTEST
It's time again for 4-Hers to begin thinking about this year's
essay contest sponsored by the American Beekeeping Federation.
There are three cash prizes to Top Winners ($250, $100 and $50).
In addition, each State Winner receives an appropriate book about
honey bees, beekeeping, or honey.
TOPIC: "The Results of Honey Bee Pollination in My Community"
While the honey bee is best known for its tasty honey, its
main reason for existence is to help pollinate a wide variety of
plants from which we get much of the food we eat. Develop an essay
on the bounty from this pollination that is found in your
community.
Research the role of the honey bee in pollination; then see
how important this pollination and these foods are in your
community.
To Consumers: Do you and your neighbors eat a lot of foods
which result from honey bee pollination?
In Supermarkets: Visit food stores and report on the variety
of these foods which are available.
At Foodservice Establishments: Visit traditional restaurants
and fastfood outlets to determine if these foods are an important
part of their menus. Don't overlook your school's foodservice.
To Farmers: If there is a farm in your community which
utilizes honey bees for pollination of its crops, discuss the need
for bee pollination with the farmer. Don't overlook the role of
honey bees in pollinating seed crops.
RULES:
1. Contest is open to active 4-H Club members only. 4-H'ers who
have previously placed first, second or third at the national level
are not eligible; other state winners are eligible to re-enter.
2. Essays must be 750 to 1000 words long, written on the
designated subject only. All factual statements must be referenced
with endnotes; failure to do so will result in disqualification.
A brief biographical sketch of the essayist, including date of
birth, complete mailing address, and telephone number, must
accompany the essay. (The word limit does not include the
references or the biographical sketch).
3. Essays submitted for national judging must be typewritten,
double-spaced, on one side of the paper and should follow standard
manuscript format. Handwritten essays will not be judged.
4. Essays will be judged on (a) accuracy, (b) creativity, (c)
conciseness, (d) logical development of the topic, and (e) scope of
research.
5. Essayists should not forward essays directly to the American
Beekeeping Federation Office. Florida entries should be sent to
Mr. Jim Northrop, State 4-H Office, 115 Rolfs Hall, University of
Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0312 by April 1, 1992. The winning
state entry will be forwarded to the Federation by April 30, 1992.
MEETINGS IN FLORIDA
Two national beekeeping meetings will take place in Florida
that are of importance. The Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA)
will hold its annual convention in Orlando at the Howard Johnson
across from Universal Studios, 5905 Kirkman Rd., ph 407-351-3333.
The meeting will be January 13-17; Mr. Laurence Cutts, Florida's
Chief Apiary Inspector, suggests the best day for beekeepers to
visit would be Monday, January 13. For more information on the
meeting, contact Mr. Cutts, P.O. Box 147100, Gainesville, FL 32614-
7100, ph 904/372-3505, ext. 114, 128, 421.
The National Honey Board will hold its meeting February 16-19,
1992 in the Orlando area. For further information, contact Tina
Tindall of the Board, ph 303/776-2337.
WHAT OF THE HOBBY BEEKEEPER?
Dr. Larry Connor, owner of Beekeeping Education Service &
Wicwas Press, P.O. Box 817-L, Cheshire, CT 06410-0817, ph 203/250-
7575, recently published an editorial that is food for thought. It
is especially relevant considering the recent meeting in St. Louis,
MO where a proposal to certify bees/beekeepers was discussed at
length. Here is what Dr. Connor has to say in Should We Retire the
Term "Hobby Beekeeper"?
"Non-commercial beekeepers comprise over 95% of the beekeepers
in North America. To describe these beekeepers, we interchange the
terms hobbyist and amateur. An amateur beekeeper is more actively
involved in the study of beekeeping than a hobbyist. An amateur
beekeeper actively follows his or her beekeeping activities with
the same enthusiasm and interest as a commercial beekeeper, but is
not motivated by financial gain."
"Is your bee hive a tool for your study of beekeeping, honey
production, etc., or is it a toy to play with and set aside when
something else draws your attention? For the hobbyist, the hive is
a toy to play with; for the amateur, the hive is a tool to learn
from. Which are you?"
"Why do I make such a big point about such a minor shade of
meaning? In the past decade North American beekeepers have seen
the arrival of two mites and an unwanted genetic strain of bees.
Hobby beekeepers disliked any discussion about them, unless, of
course, their own bees are involved. In the near future, only
those people who make a serious commitment to their bees will be
successful as beekeepers."
"North American beekeepers may be forced to work with greater
passion, higher perspective, and perhaps sharpened intellect. the
days of dumping a swarm into an empty hive and returning to collect
a bonanza of honey are most likely numbered."
"To increase your knowledge of bees and beekeeping, you must
spend time with the bees themselves, since they are the best
teachers. But other study is necessary. Many bee associations
offer plans of study, and I have modified a syllabus from the
British Bee Keepers Association for use in a basic level of testing
for beekeepers. Perhaps you might consider using this in your
personal or club education program."
"I will send you a copy free if you send me a large self-
addressed and pre-stamped (in USA) envelope. It is essential that
each and every beekeeper take the time and effort to become
comfortable with routine beekeeping skills. Activities which a
commercial beekeeper takes for granted - requeening, moving a
colony, checking for diseases or mites - are frequently too
intimidating to the hobby beekeeper. But hopefully not the amateur
beekeeper."
OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Dr. Connor is also the publisher of a new journal, Bee
Science, an exciting, new bee research publication. It is
published quarterly with a subscription rate of only $20 per year
inside the U.S., $25.00 plus postage elsewhere. This magazine
includes not only original research articles, but popular articles,
opinions and reports.
Outside the U.S., the best source of information globally
continues to be the International Bee Research Association (IBRA).
This organization is non-profit. Formed in 1949 it is devoted to
advancing apicultural education and science worldwide. Under new
leadership (Mr. Andrew Matheson from New Zealand), it publishes
four journals (Bee World, Journal of Apicultural Research,
Beekeeping and Development and Apicultural Abstracts) and many
other special publications, including a recent education resource
pack. Interested beekeepers can find out more information by
writing the IBRA directly (18 North Rd., Cardiff, DF1 3DY, United
Kingdom) or contacting me as Florida's representative.
Sincerely,
Malcolm T. Sanford
0740 IFAS, Bldg 970
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-0740
Phone (904) 392-1801, Ext. 143
FAX: 904-392-0190
BITNET Address: MTS@IFASGNV
INTERNET Address: [log in to unmask]
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