As the cold season sets in the mite levels from summer begin to take their toll. Learn about the Varroa Destructor and what you can do to stop it with the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association at the monthly meeting. We will include time to discuss with fellow beekeepers what the fall tasks look like, how the season went and more.

The educational presentation this month is all about Oxalic Acid treatments by our own Richard Burroughs. Oxalic Acid is one of the most popular and effective treatments against the Varroa Destructor in the autumn months when brood is low or absent and this monster of a mite has nowhere to hide.

The lecture will then be followed by a discussion on Winterizing Hives with Steve Davis, Richard Burroughs, and Richard Lercari. They will share the various and sometimes contradictory methods used to prepare the bees for winter. Every technique is right. Or wrong. You decide.

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Classroom of the Main Barn at the Fenimore Farm and Country Village (formerly called The Farmers’ Museum), 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown.

A business meeting will precede the presentations where we will be discussing upcoming meetings and the planning for the February “Introduction to Beekeeping” course to be held at Clark Sports Center.

Anyone who would like to volunteer is welcome. Please contact Steve Davis, chairman of the Education Committee at paperclip5@hotmail.com

Please note that there will not be a meeting in November in lieu of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The December meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 3 and will feature a visit and presentation from NY State Apiculturist Anne Mills. Everyone is welcome to attend and learn about how New York State supports beekeepers large and small.

Upcoming Events

The Buzz About Polinators Exhibit held at the Fenimore Farm and Country Village (formerly The Farmers’ Museum) continues through October 31. This interactive exhibit is all about bees and the many other insects and organisms like them that help make farming possible. It explores the topic of pollinators in New York State and their important role in the production of some of the state’s leading crops, including apples, honey, and maple syrup. The exhibit also examines climate change and other threats that pollinators face and how everyone can help them continue to thrive. Sponsored in part by Nellie and Robert Gipson, and NYCM Insurance.

On October 30, the New York State Apiary Industry Advisory committee will meet from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Albany, NY. The public can view the meeting virtually through https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=me9a830c126d58c2d4a5cbc
a2fd6bb0fa, or joined by phone at +1-518-549-0500 US (English Menu) or +1-518-549-0059 US (Menú en Español).
Access code: 161 245 0853
More information can be found at: https://agriculture.ny.gov/plant-industry/pollinator-protection#state-initiatives

Looking further ahead to 2025 will be the North American Honey Bee Expo, held January 2-4. The expo will be held in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky Expo Center, and will include a tradeshow, “The North American Honey and Beeswax Championship,” and speakers including Randy Oliver.
https://www.nahbexpo.com/