Greetings to All,

On Sun, 4 Dec 2005, Brian Fredericksen  wrote:

“To Bill and Bob and anyone…

…it sounds like you have a much more meaningful state bee
program in the NE then we have here in Mn. In fact the Mn Honey
Producers Association has asked the state to essentially disband the
state program since it is underfunded and basically useless…..Currently we
have a couple of seasonal inspectors who do nothing but look for foulbrood
scale when hives are shipped out of state.”

FWIW- IMHO, your state organization should demand a greater presence of
apiary inspection. Blaine White did a great job as the Chief Apiarist for
the State of Minnesota.  His posts on BEE-L were always accurate and
informative. I for one always welcomed and gained considerably from his
advice. Since his departure from the Apiary Services Program there have
been a few changes in apiary inspection personnel, Ms. Valarie Cervenka
took over for a while and has now been replaced by Mr. Daniel Pasche. His
address and contact information is as follows:

Mr. Daniel Pasche, Apiary Program Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
32736 180th Street, Starbuck, MN 56381
Phone: 320-239-4725 • [log in to unmask]• Fax: 320-239-4725

In addition to Apiary Inspection Services with the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture there of course is your internationally renown Extension
Specialist, Dr. Marla Spivak. Extension Specialists are paramount in
assisting state level departments of agriculture with policy and
procedures; often specialized disciplines within a broad biological field
require a high degree of expertise from academia that is just not there at
a government position. It is my opinion that your state beekeepers should
enlist her support. Her address and contact information is:

Dr. Marla Spivak
Room 219 Hodson Hall
1980 Folwell Ave,
St. Paul, MN 55108phone: (612) 624-4798
fax: (612) 625-5299
E-mail: [log in to unmask]

Extension Activities:
Regional Apiculture Outreach Program (includes Minnesota, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin).


You should take note that her extension responsibilities  when combined
include the largest honey producing area in the US. Just remember, it’s
the squeaky wheel that gets the oil; and, the bigger the wheel the louder
the squeak! Walk softly and carry a big stick, your state beekeeping
organization has more clout than you think.

Cheers,

Chuck Norton

Reidsville, NC

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