Tuesday, June 26, 2012

   “MAY FARMS LLC”

                                                                       Presents

“HANDS ON INTRODUCTORY BEEKEEPING WORK SHOP”

During the past several years, while teaching Introductory Beekeeping classes,  it has become explicitly clear that class room lectures and a single field trip to the bee yard does not adequately prepare a new beekeeper to cope with all he or she will encounter in an “Apiary”.

Therefore, plans have been established to offer “Hands On Introductory Bee Keeping Work Shops” at May Farms LLC in Greenville, SC., to rectify this situation. Emphasis will be on providing experience for the new beekeeper while applying the test proven method of Hands On Is The Best Teacher. There will be five (5) identical workshops, to accommodate various personal schedules. Each Workshop will consist of two (2) sessions of three (3) hours each.

The dates selected for the workshops are:

    WS  #1- July 15 & 22;     WS #2- Aug 12 & 19;    WS #3- Sep 16 & 23;    WS #4- Oct 14 & 21;   WS  #5- Nov 4 & 11

The minimum class size will be 5; the maximum will be 10. Each workshop will last from 2:00 pm
to 5:00 pm. Each workshop, will consist of two (2) days, three (3) hours each and will be priced at $75 total. A bee veil, smoker, and hive tool will be required. The text, “The Hive and The Honey Bee” ISBN number 0915698099 is suggested, but not required. A note book will be provided and hand outs on each topic will be included. The “Workshop” will consist of a short lecture followed by a visit to the adjacent bee yard on each subject matter. This Workshop is designed for the new beekeeper with little or no experience, or for that experienced beekeeper who would like a refresher course on bee yard management. Alternative dates will be given for inclement weather.

 A tentative Workshop Outline is as follows: (This is subject to some revision)

I.                     Brief History of Beekeeping
II.                    Importance of Beekeeping
III.                  Castes of Honey Bee and Function of Each
IV.                  Bee Keeping Equipment
V.                   Bee Activities and Behavior
VI.                  Thorough Physical Examination of Hives in various stages of developement
VII.                Diseases, Pests, and Treatments (Including Microscopic Examination)
VIII.               Seasonal Management
IX.                  Hive increases
X.                    Conclusion and Summary

For the experienced bee keeper, classes will be offered on Intermediate/Advanced Beekeeping on September 17th – November 12th, 2012 at 1:30-3:00 pm for Furman –OLLI; and on Sep 13th – Nov 13th , 2012at 6:30-8:00 pm for Furman-Learning For You. Registration begins in August.

If you have any questions, please let us hear from you. Please send your request for the workshop and deposit made payable to May Farms, LLC to:

Amelia Pettiss, 312 Ambler School Road, Marietta, SC 29661

The Bee Whisperer

Ralph C. (Buddy) May Jr.
100 Birnam Court
Greenville, SC 29615
Cell: 864-430-0318
Email: buddy_may@bellsout.net

Thursday, June 21, 2012


FALL PREPARATION OF HONEY BEE HIVES
Examine Your Objectives in Keeping Bees

The single most important item to be considered in your apiary is, MAINTAIN A STRONG HIVE. If you remember only one thing from this presentation, please let it be “Keep Your Hives Strong”, lots of bees, enough stores, and control diseases.
POLLINATORS REQUEEN EVERY YEAR! EVER WONDERED WHY?
1.     HAVE A YOUNG AND VIBRANT QUEEN GOING INTO THE SUMMER.
 I suggest that if your queen(s) is 3 years or older, consider replacing her NOW, IN JUNE. Remove the queen, leave the hive queen less for 2 weeks, and check for emergency, supercedure, and swarm cells. If any found, remove them. Now, place the new queen in the hive, preferably with the aid of a queen ring. Keep an eye out for queen cells.

Taking this action provides two benefits:

a.     The hive will be much stronger with a new queen laying, in preparation for hive expansion prior to the winter months. Most hives are loss due to inadequate bees to keep the colony warm. Many hives have been lost with a full supply of honey. Just not enough bees to keep the hive warm.
b.     It also provides a break in the brood cycle, and thus supports the IPM for Varroa Control. (No Brood, No Place for the Varroa to Reproduce.)

2.     CHECK FOR FOOD STORES
Make sure you have 6 to 7 frames of honey in the upper brood box. Each shallow frame equates to about 3 pounds of honey. Each deep frame equates to about 6 pounds of honey. If you need to, feed them sugar syrup.
3.     CHECK HIVE TO DETERMINE IF REVERSING HIVE IS NECESSARY
If your bees are all in the top brood box, and the bottom brood box is empty, reverse the hives. If you do not, the hive will swarm or abscond.
The queen needs drawn comb in which to lay her eggs. Otherwise, they will either abscond or swarm.

4.     DEVELOP A BEE DISEASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
Bee Keepers, whether they own one or thousands of hives, must develop a Bee disease management program based on periodic colony inspections. Beekeepers must learn to recognize signs of bee diseases and be able to differentiate the serious from the not so serious and must know the corrective actions for each disease.

a.     Bacterial Diseases:
American foul brood
European foul brood

b.     Fungus Diseases:
Chalk brood Disease
Stone Brood

c.      Protozoan diseases
Nosema Apis Zander
Nosema Cerana
Amoeba

d.     Virus Diseases
Sacbrood Disease
Bee Paralysis Diseases
   Chronic Bee Paralysis
    Acute Bee Paralysis
    Filamentous Virus disease

e.     Noninfectious Diseases
Chilled Brood
Overheated brood
Starved brood
Overheated bees
Lethal genes

f.       Parasitic Bee Mites
1.     Tracheal Mite Acarpapis woodi
Afflicts only the adult bee. Likely detection best in Fall and Winter. Shows as disjointed wings and distended abdomen, or both. Treatment is 1.8 oz. menthol in bag, placed on top bar <80 deg. F for 20 to 25 days.

2.     Varroa Jacobsoni (Destructor)
First found attacking A. mellifera in 1962 by USDA in Beltsville MD from Hong Kong, and in 1963 in the Philippines. Varroa occurs on older larvae and pupae, drone brood preferred. The number being lowest in the spring, increasing in the summer, and highest in the fall. During Spring & Summer most mites are found on the brood (especially drone brood). In late Fall and Winter most mites are attached to adult worker bee.
a.     Perform a sugar roll to determine level of infection
b.     Install drone comb
c.      Check mite infection with sticky board
d.     Install screen bottom boards with grease trays
e.     Utilize USDA assistance in identification of bee diseases.
f.       Apply grease patties to top frames of brood box
        

Monday, June 4, 2012


Fascination and Magic go hand in hand when you get a chance to watch bees first hand with our Observation Hive.  Mr. Buddy aka The Bee Whisperer captures the attention of young and old with his knowledge of these beneficial creatures at Saturday Market in Downtown Greenville. 

Take a minute to think…..   the oneness of the bee colony reveals the interconnectedness of the world, and each of us within this vast community we call world. In the past centuries as bees became a commodity of modern agriculture, a deeper meaning and understanding of their true nature was lost.

The old German word bien is an attempt to describe the oneness of the bee colony, and to also distinguish its individual “personality”. The honey bee colony is one being in countless bodies. The biological term for this is super-organism. The colony is both a society of thousands of individuals, as well as one super-organism, one bien. This multitude of bees creates a being with capacities far beyond those of a single bee, and the bien as a whole lifts the individual bee on to a higher level of existence.

A single bee gives herself completely to the wellbeing of the colony. Her physical existence is completely devoted to the prosperity and survival of the bien. She will even give her own life, to serve and protect much like a human mother. In this altruistic gesture we can see her sense of self and the extent to which she can surpass her individual existence and function as a part of something larger.

The Austrian philosopher and spiritual scientist Rudolf Steiner describes the bien as being “permeated with life based on love”.  If only we as humans could learn to live and work together in a life based on love….  There might be a little more Magic in the World…..

Friday, June 1, 2012

 
 



NEW COURSE OFFERING!!
Intermediate Beekeeping
This course is designed to provide an intermediate level of beekeeping knowledge and is a requirement for the Journeyman Level of the South Carolina Master Beekeeper Program, or for that individual who just want to further their knowledge of Beekeeping. Subjects include: History of Bees and Man, Bees and Their Relatives, Anatomy and Physiology, Pollination, Pesticides and Honey Bees, Diseases and Treatments, Honey Promotion, Nectar and Pollen Bearing Plants, Beekeeping Regulation, Queen Rearing and Honey Bee Mating, Swarm Prevention and Control. Required book:  The Hive and the Honey Bee (ISBN# 0-015698-09-9).
Mondays, 1:30-3 p.m., Furman University
(September 17th – November 12th)
Ralph "Buddy" May will be teaching the course and has his B.S. degree from Clemson University.  Before retirement, Buddy was President of Mandtex, Inc. (a manufacturer of Textile Machinery).  Buddy is also a Journeyman Level Beekeeper, operator of 40 hives and a Queen Rearing Apiary.
Registration begins August 23, 2012 on the OLLI website www.furman.edu/olli .  Any questions – call OLLI @ FURMAN at     (864) 294-2998.
 
 
NOTE: This class will be taught on several levels:
 
First, it will be taught to the individual who is only interested in furthering his/her knowledge of the Honey Bee.
 
Second, it will taught to the person who aspires to obtain their SCBA Journeyman Level.
 
Third it will be taught to the Journeyman who needs a refresher and would like to prepare for the Master Beekeeper Level of the SCBA Master Beekeeper Program.
 
Those aspiring for the Master Level will be offered additional seminars for continued study.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Absolutely some of God's finest work!

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/xHkq1edcbk4?rel=0
The hummingbird doing rolls chasing a bug is neat!!! Unreal. archs!


This is beautiful.......be sure and watch closely (around 2 min 40 sec) and check out the baby bat under its mama.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Introducing - New Leasing Options



              Leasing a Honey Bee Hive-Description of Options

May Farms, LLC
LEASING:
·         Involves a site visit to select the site for the hive and complete set up of the hive.
·         A three (3) pound package of bees is installed with a mated queen.
o    It is highly recommended to lease a minimum of two (2) hives to aid in hive manipulation, should it be necessary.
o    The lease is for 8 months (March-October), however, the bees remain in the apiary for the duration of the year.
o    Maintenance is the responsibility of the beekeeper but the customer may assist to the level he or she desires, under the supervision of the beekeeper.
o    It is not likely a surplus of honey will be harvested the first year, however all honey is harvested by the beekeeper and shared equally with the customer.
·         There is a onetime charge of $50 for each hive set up, plus a $35 per month charge for hive maintenance.
o    The charge is reduced to $25 per hive, per month for leasing more than one hive.

CONSULTATION:
·         Many times an individual may wish for a second opinion or wish to be instructed in a particular hive manipulation.
o    The beekeeper will visit customer’s apiary and perform the desired activity while instructing the customer in the process.
o    The charge for this service is $50 per hour while in the apiary, plus a $25 per hour charge for traveling to and from the customer’s site.

OWNERSHIP:
·         Becoming an owner of a bee hive(s) for your apiary is a rewarding adventure.
o    A site visit is made to the customer, a hive(s) location is selected, and hive maintenance begins.
o    The customer becomes the owner of the supplies which includes the bee hive (bottom board, deep, shallow super, inner cover, and telescoping cover) with a 3 pound package of bees and a mated queen, one honey super, hat & veil, smoker, gloves, and a hive tool.
o    The customer can elect to participate in the hive maintenance to the level desired. Instruction in hive maintenance is offered during visitations.
·         The cost of the ownership program is that of the Leasing program, plus a $450 for the hive and supplies.
o    The contract is for 8 months, per year, however the hive remains on site.

SPONSOR:
·         The Sponsor Program addresses the importance of our honey bee – a vitally important pollinator and provider of many hive by-products, to include honey, pollen, propolis, and wax
o    We continue to perform research for improvements in our apiaries. By donating $150 we are able to further this study.
o    In addition to receiving quarterly bee keeping information, the sponsor will receive two (2) quarts of local honey and two (2) 12 inch bees wax candles.

                                  FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
         CONTACT:    Cell: 864-430-0318  or  Email: buddy_may@bellsouth.net

Thursday, May 10, 2012

May Farms, LLC

  PRESENTS

*RESTORE NATURE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD WITH POLLINATORS*

By

*LEASING A HONEY BEE HIVE*

·       LEASE ONE OR MORE BEE HIVES TO POLLINATE YOUR GARDENS THUS IMPROVING YOUR FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES. BE AS ACTIVE WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BEE HIVES AS YOU DESIRE, AND OBTAIN FIRST HAND TUTORING.

·       CONSULT WITH AN EXPERIENCED BEEKEEPER WHEN SITUATIONS REQUIRE MORE EXPERIENCE IN HIVE MANAGEMENT. LET A JOURNEYMAN BEEKEEPER GUIDE YOU IN PROVEN OPTIONS.

·       BECOME AN OWNER AND EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF BECOMING EDUCATED IN BEEKEEPING AND REAP THE BENEFITS OF HONEY FROM YOUR OWN YARD - YOU CAN’T GET ANY MORE LOCAL THAN THAT.

·       SPONSOR HONEY BEE RESEARCH WITH A DONATION TO PROVIDE THE MEANS OF CONTINUED STUDY TO PROTECT THIS BENEFICIAL CREATURE.

                                   FOR DETAILS CONTACT
Cell: 864-430-0318 or Email: buddy_may@bellsouth.net

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Just a little background information:


R.C. "Buddy" May Jr.

Born in Rock Hill SC; Attended Clemson University, BS Industrial Management; Management positions with Riegel Textile, Owens Corning Fiberglass, Lowenstein & Sons, Vice Pres of Greenville Machinery Corp; Owner of Mandtex Inc, Textile Machinery Corp. for 20 years before retiring in 2001.

After retirement, Buddy began his Apiarist activity on May Farms, LLC which is located on 65 acres in Greenville County. Beekeeping activities include the management of 40 hives, maintaining blue berry orchards, and a large vegetable garden, along with managing wildlife preserve & water fowl areas.

Buddy is a Journeyman beekeeper and member of the Piedmont Beekeepers Association; member of the Eastern Apicultural Society; teacher and lecturer at Furman University Learning for You, and OLLI Programs; Instructs students on Queen Rearing; Splitting hives; Transferring packaged bees to hives; and many other Hive Management processes in his bee yard. Buddy has a Hive Leasing Program for individuals interested in having bee hives and receiving instructions on management, prior to assuming ownership. He also offers workshops that offer hands-on experience in the bee yard (watch for up-coming workshop schedules).  Another service offered is pollination of blue berries, apple trees, and vegetable plants.

Be sure if you haven't already to check out our Facebook page: May Farms, LLC

For more information do not hesitate to contact us.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Queen Cells- Swarm and Supersedure

Welcome to our new Question and Answer posts.  Please feel free to post questions and comments below.

Here is the question and statement of the Beekeeper:

“You’re going to get tired of hearing from me! I’ve got a problem and need some help. I went to take off and clean the feeders as you recommended. I thought I’d do my first hive check as well. It’s been two weeks now since I put them in.

Hive #1 is doing great. Four frames of capped brood and other frames being drawn out.

Hive # 2, not so good. There is no sign of the queen. No capped brood, no eggs or larvae that I can see. However, there are several swarm cells present. I see no evidence of workers laying. The frames are drawn out some, but nothing like the first hive.

So the question is, “what to do”? Would they attempt to build a queen cell with a worker’s egg? I know it would  be unfertile and thus a drone. Anyway, should I destroy the cells? Place a frame with eggs from the first hive into the second? Or just order another queen? If I can get one that’ll save me some time waiting for them to make one. Your suggestions?

There are two (2) points of consideration here.

FIRST : This is a classic example of “Supersedure cells” and not “Swarm Cells”. This can be confusing to many, so I wanted to take the opportunity to relay this information to you for y our consideration. Please notice the location of the cells, very important: they are in the middle of the frame! Swarm cells are found on the bottom of the frame.

The hive is experiencing the failure of their queen, so they are replacing her. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, INTERFERE WITH THIS PROCESS. The queens will emerge and the strongest will survive. That is what Mother Nature has intended. The hive wants to be certain to have a queen, so they have prepared for more than one to emerge. When returning to the hive in 10 days -  determine hive status at that time.

SECOND: The statement, “Would they attempt to build a queen cell with a worker’s egg? I know it would be unfertile and thus a drone”.

Correction: Worker eggs are diploid and fertile, drone cells are haploid and not fertile.  Any worker bee larvae, one day old (remember the egg is an egg for three days), that means the egg is four days old, can be fed royal jelly for 8 days, and a queen will be produced. All eggs, drone and worker are fed royal jelly for the first three days. There are diploid drones, but the bees destroy these by eating them in the larvae stage. These drones are also known as biparetal males which develop from fertilized eggs which are homozygous at sex locust. This is a subject for another day.

Enjoy and thank you for visiting May Farms LLC Blog.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Email Correction - A Little Bee told Me.....

A honey deprived Miss Bee made a slip up in the contact information.

To Contact Us Please Use:
buddynmissbee@gmail.com

Give us a Buzz..............
May Farms, LLC is dedicated to the enhancement and promotion of knowledge of the Apis Mellifera - the Honey Bee.   Located on 65 acres of land in Greenville County, we manage approximately 40 colonies of bees, with a major emphasis placed on educating the general public about this vital pollinator. Continuing education classes are presented at Furman OLLI and Furman Learning For You Programs. May Farms, LLC is a mentor for many in the art and science of managing honey bees. In addition, there are on-site apiary classes on many beekeeping activities, including Hive Management and Queen Bee Breeding.  Our newest addition is a Hive Leasing and Consultation Program – for more information please contact us at the email address below.

Additionally, May Farms, LLC manages several blueberry orchards and offers their delicious fruit to the public at the TD Saturday Market, sponsored by the City of Greenville, SC. Honey, pollen, bees wax candles, hive wooden ware, and many specialty vegetables, such as garlic are featured. Educating our young people is a focus at the Greenville Saturday Market with a honey bee Observation Hive.

**Private presentations can also be scheduled for local school groups and other youth organizations.