The flowers are out and the bees are hard at work.

The next meeting of the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association will be held June 22, 2023 at 7 p.m. at The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown.

This time, we will be learning how to test for one of our bees biggest pests, the Varroa mite. Mike Lyons will be presenting “Sugar Shake – Mite Test.” The presentation will also discuss the temperature requirements of the various available treatments, and their impact on honey production.

In other news, there are still slots available for the Field Trip. This will feature an apiary tour and hands on hive inspection. A great follow up for those who attended the Intro to Beekeeping course in February or for those who just can’t stay away from bees. Will be held July 15 with a raindate of July 22. The Tour will commence at 10 am and refreshments are included.

Also on our calendar,

• The St. Johnsville Honey Bee Festival honoring Moses Quinby. July 22 from 10 am to 5 pm held at 44 Bridge Street, St. Johnsville.

•The July Meeting of the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association featuring a panel discussion on “Preparing Your Beeyard For Winter.” July 27, 2023 at 7 p.m. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown.

•National Honey Bee Day. August 19, 2023.

•Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association annual picnic. August 24, 2023. Details to be announced.

Join the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association for the monthly meeting on May 25 at 7 p.m. at The Farmers’ Museum.

Highlights of this month’s meeting will include member Richard Burroughs presenting on “Inspecting your hive frames: essentials for evaluating an installed nuc colony,” followed by guest speaker Mike Johnston, of Johnston’s Honeybee Farm in Eaton NY, presenting on “Package bee, nuc, and Queen production.”

Each presentation will include a Q&A session so come with questions!

In July, the beekeepers will be hosting an On-site Hands-on hive inspection where novice/beginner beekeepers will get pointers on the best ways to work with the bees. There will be 14 spaces available at this workshop, held July 15 at 10 a.m. with a raindate of July 22, so sign-up early.

We’ll see you there, and happy Beekeeping.

It was a beautiful day for this years Earth Festival and the Leatherstocking Beekeepers were happy to meet the curious attendees in Milford.

If you are interested in learning more about keeping bees you can join us at our upcoming meeting all about the “Initial Spring Hive Inspection”  featuring group participation and then “Soft Set Honey Part II” with Richard Lercari.

We will also be conducting some club business such as electing our Veep, Secretary, & Treasurer.

If you want to help feed the bees but can’t keep bees, you can participate in No Mow May, presented by the Otsego County Conservation Association. No Mow May is a program to reduce the frequency of lawn mowing in the spring, when forage for honey bees and other polinating insects is scarce. By letting your lawn, and yes the weeds as well, you can help provide that crucial forage for these essential insects at one of the most difficult times of the year for them.

To learn more about the program visit https://occainfo.org/no-mow-may-2023/.