Members of the New River Valley Beekeepers’ Association (NRVBA) will present “So, You Want To Be a Beekeeper” sessions at regional library branches in January 2020 (see dates and locations below) addressing all aspects of getting started in beekeeping (costs, equipment needed, time required, procedures for acquiring and keeping bees, expectations for honey harvest, etc.) Presentations last approximately one hour and are free. No sign-up or pre-registration required. Address questions to Jerry Borger, 540-557-7789.
Christiansburg Shawsville
Saturday, 11 January at 1:30 pm Sunday, 12 January at 1:30 pm
Christiansburg Library Meadowbrook Public Library
125 Sheltman Street 267 Alleghany Spring Road
Dublin
Saturday, 11 January at 10:30 am (note: time is different from other
Free Memorial Public Library presentations)
300 Giles Ave
Floyd Blacksburg
Sunday, 19 January at 1:30 pm Sunday, 26 January at 1:30 pm
Jessie Peterman Library Blacksburg Library
321 West Main Street 200 Miller Street
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Beginning Beekeeper’s Course, 2020
Those interested will be able to sign up for a Beginning Beekeeper’s Course in person at one of the sessions described above or on-line at nrvba.org. The course lasts two Saturdays, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, 8 February and 11 April 2020. Cost is $60 per student and includes a beginner’s book, course materials, and lunch; $30 for additional family members who share the book and course materials. The course will be held at 220 Price Hall on the Virginia Tech Campus and will include (weather permitting) a hands-on session in the NRVBA apiary. Seating is limited and pre-registration not later than 31 January 2020 is mandatory. Click this link to reserve your spot: https://app.loveadmin.com/EventsLink/394dd2a26f81b362bd0823b8235785bf.htm. Registration will close on 31 January or when the class is full, whichever comes first! Address questions to Jerry Borger, 540-557-7789.
November 14th Meeting:
Jerry Borger presents, “Beeswax Candle-Making”
Jerry is a Pennsylvanian by birth, spent 28 years in the Air Force, and retired to southwestern Virginia in 2004. He began beekeeping in 2006 and currently has 11 full-sized hives and 10 double-deep nucs. He is a two-year past president of the New River Valley Beekeepers’ Association and has managed the Association’s Beginning Beekeeper’s Course for the past nine years. In addition to raising a few nucs and “mini-nucs” to sell each year, he takes honey bees out of buildings, and also sells a couple products he makes from beeswax. He is a big fan of trying new things, particularly enjoys playing with queen castles, and continues to look for new and exciting mistakes to make with his bees.
Please join us on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 6:30 pm at the Montgomery County Health and Human Services Building at 210 Pepper St., Christiansburg
Meeting Agenda
-Business:
- Treasurer’s report
- Apiary report
- So, You Want to Be a Beekeeper?
- Beginning Beekeepers Course
- 2020 meeting topics
-What you should be doing with your bees: Tips and ideas from successful Association members.
– Featured Presentation: Jerry Borger
-The Buffalo Jack Raffle: Please note: there will be no intermission so buy your tickets before the meeting or, quietly, any time during the meeting in the back of the room.
Items will include:
10 medium frames w/ plastic foundation (assembled)
A 10-frame ventilated inner cover
A J-hook hive tool
Metal votive 6-candle mold with wicks
An 8-frame medium box {assembled and painted) w/8 each one-piece frames/foundation
-Close of formal meeting. Join in for socializing, refreshments, and a time for asking questions. Please consider bringing a snack or beverage to share.
-Emory B. Altizer, NRVBA President
New River Valley Beekeepers' Association 