Allen Dick wrote:
> ... I would appreciate it if anyone can summarise and perhaps
> relate some personal impressions and/or anecdotes and post to
> BEE-L. Although the time of year could not be much worse for
> me, there is a chance I could and would make it -- if I
> could figure out exactly what it is.
Following are excerpts from an article I wrote for my local
beekeeping association newsletter (The Southern Adirondack
Beekeepers Association).
"SABA - Not the Only Game in Town!
In the September Beeline I wrote of my whirlwind summer and the
many opportunities attending bee-related events on the East Coast.
Yet, one need not travel far and wide to participate in quality
honeybee conferences. In this article I'd like to take a closer
look at ... The Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS)...
The Eastern Apicultural Society of North America, Inc. is an
international non-profit educational organization dedicated to
the promotion of bee culture, education of beekeepers, and
excellence in bee research. EAS is the largest non-commercial
beekeeping organization in the United States and one of the
largest in the world.
Every summer EAS conducts its Annual Conference consisting of
lectures, workshops, vendor displays, short courses for beginning
and advanced beekeepers, and annual business meeting in one of its
26 member states or provinces in the eastern U.S. and Canada,
which include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New
Brunswick, New Foundland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward Island,
Quebec, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West
Virginia.
Over 400 people generally attend the conference each year.
EAS publishes its newsletter, The EAS Journal, four times a year,
sponsors awards to deserving bee researchers and graduate students,
and offers modest research grants for applied research projects.
I have written in past issues of my experiences at EAS conferences
(Seven Springs, Pa. In 1998; Salisbury, Md. In 2000), but in 2001
the EAS conference will just about be in our back yard! An easy
drive to Cape Cod and a reasonable conference fee buys room and
board for a week, including a private beach! The conference will
also feature tour packages offering opportunities to visit a
cranberry bog, cruize the shipping canal and even go whale watching.
It's not too early to start planning for EAS 2001. The Annual
Short Course and Conference will be held the week of August 6-10.
The beautiful MMA campus is surrounded on three sides by water, a
short walk to the bus or train station, and only one-hour driving
time from either T.F. Green Airport (PVD) in Providence, RI or Logan
Int'l Airport (BOS) in Boston, MA. Cape Cod is a wonderful place to
host an EAS Short Course and Conference. Planning is well underway
to make it an unforgetable experience for all who attend...
The EAS 2001 Short Course will have a "Level I" course for
novice beekeepers with minimal experience or training in bee
management. All aspects of the care and management of honeybees
will be taught by some of the finest beekeeping instructors in
the country as well as Master Beekeepers from throughout the East.
Organized by Dr. Dewey M. Caron of the University of Delaware,
Level I classes will be highlighted by sessions on managment and
bee equipment by Dr. James Tew of Ohio State, Maryann Frazier of
Penn State University and Dr. Jeff Pettis of the US Department of
Agriculture in Beltsville, MD. State Apiarist Tony Jadczak of Maine
will discuss controlling pests and Al Carl, Massachusetts State
Apiary Inspector, will demonstrate how to detect and control pests
in the apiary. Master Beekeepers Bob Cole from North Carolina, Ann
Harman of Virginia, and Bill Troup of Maryland, as well as
Massacusetts' own Vin and Jan Gaglione of Crystal Bee Supply will
give their perspectives on how they have become successful beekeepers.
They will assist short course participants as they spend at least
half a day with the bees and instructors in the EAS 2001 apiary.
The EAS 2001 Short Course will also have sessions for the more
experienced beekeeper. The "Level II" Short Course will feature
several one-day concentrated workshops on the bee management, details
of overwintering for success, managing colonies for swarm control and
how to produce maximum honey surpluses. Additional concentrations will
include Integrated Pest Management (IPM), marketing, raising quality
queen stock and how to manage bees for their pollination benefit and
other products Participants will have a tough time choosing which
sessions to attend. Students in Level II can look forward to lots of
time in the apiary as well as plenty of hands-on experience.
Whether you are a new beekeeper or one who wants to polish your
beekeeping skills, this year's EAS Short Course preceeding the main
EAS conference is the place to be!
But EAS is not just about the conference, it's about the bees and
the beekeepers. Being a member offers the opportunity to master your
craft and offers the opportunity to meet the big names in the industry.
You'll discover that in spite of their notoriety, the big name people
are actually down to earth, likeable folks just like the people you meet
at our local association meetings.
... I encourage anyone with even a slight interest to become a member
and attend the EAS 2001 conference. Attend one EAS conference and you'll
be hooked! Many beekeepers make EAS their annual summer vacation. You
might too.
So seriously consider EAS at MMA. Your beekeeping will be better for it.
Plan on attending Bees by the Sea (EAS 2001). Plan way in advance to
attend Bees by the Sea, the conference will fill up quickly and
registration will be due in June. And start considering now how you might
assist with EAS 2002 at Cornell."
Aaron Morris - thinking EAS 2001 - "Go Mass!"
PS: I'll be giving a presentation in the beeyard on Thursday afternoon
during the conference. Session is "Splits, Nucs and Two Queen Colonies!"
|
