SPECIALIZED CLASSES TO PROMOTE STOCK IMPROVEMENT, taught by Susan Cobey,  will be offered at the Harry Laidlaw Honey Bee Research Facility at UCD, in Davis California.

1. THE ART OF QUEEN REARING WORKSHOP, March 17 & 18, 2009, is designed to provide an understanding and appreciation of what it takes to rear high quality queens. The basic biology and principals of queen rearing will be presented.  Beekeepers will be involved in going through the various steps of the process including setting up cell builders, grafting, handling queen cells and establishing mating nucs. The importance of drone production and establishing mating areas will also be presented. The class will consist of a combination of classroom and hands on beekeeping. Two basic queen rearing systems will be demonstrated, a queen right system and a queen less system. Registration Fees $200. Deadline Feb. 20, 2009.    This class is full. Taking priority signup up for 2010.

Optional Queen Tour , March 19. For those who would like to see large scale commercial queen production, an optional one day will be offered following the workshop. We will visit several northern California producers during their busy spring season. You will observe a diversity of techniques and systems of queen production. Optional Tour  $50.

2. INSTRUMENTAL INSEMINATION & BEE BEREEDING WORKSHOP, April 14, 15, & 16, 2009, is designed for commercial beekeepers who are involved in a breeding program and for laboratory personnel requiring the skill for research purposes. A practical hands-on approach to instruction is provided with emphasis on individual attention, therefore classes are kept small. Detailed instruction and hands-on practice of semen collection and insemination of queens will be emphasized and facilitated with the use of a video camera and monitor. Various types of insemination instruments are displayed and reviewed. The preparation and care of virgin queens and drones will be presented.  Basic bee genetics and various breeding systems will be reviewed. Demonstration materials, virgin queens and drones will be provided for the class.

Knowledge of queen rearing is required.  Beekeepers must provide their own insemination equipment.  Microscopes will be provided for use upon request. . Registration Fees $400. Deadline Mar. 20, 2009.

3. ADVANCED WORKSHOP ON THE TECHNIQUE OF INSTRUMENTAL INSEMINATION,  April 22 & 23, 2009.  is designed as a follow-up to the Instrumental Insemination course. The focus will be perfecting insemination techniques and solving individual problems in the laboratory and in the field. Therefore it is recommended to take this class after some experiences has been gained. Demonstration materials, virgin queens and drones will be provided.

Experience in queen rearing and familiarity with instrumental insemination are required. Beekeepers must bring their own insemination equipment and a bee veil. Microscopes will be provided for use upon request. Registration Fees $400. Deadline Mar. 20, 2009.

________________________________________________________________

SACRAMENTO AREA BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

2009 Training Schedule

Beginning Natural Beekeeping        Saturday Feb. 7, 2009        Serge Labesque

Beginning Beekeeping                    Saturday March 7, 2009      Randy Oliver

Beginning Natural Beekeeping        Saturday April 11, 2009      Serge Labesque

Beginning Beekeeping                    Saturday May 23, 2009       Randy Oliver

Intermediate Beekeeping               Saturday June 20, 2009      Dr. Eric Mussen

Intermediate Natural Beekeeping   Saturday July 18, 2009       Serge Labesque

All of the classes will be presented at the Sacramento County Department of Agriculture building at 4137 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA.  The course hours are 8:30 am to approximately 4:30 pm.  The instruction will start at 8:30; registration starts at 7:30 am.

Each course fee is $35.00 ($30.00 for SABA members). To provide lead time to prepare handouts and other necessary arrangements, registration is required by the Monday before the course date.  Late registration will require specific approval of a course coordinator.

These courses are an incredible value, the instructors are TOP NOTCH.  

Serge Labesque has been keeping bees for nearly 15 years.  He teaches beekeeping at Sonoma Community College and is a published author of numerous articles on beekeeping.  Serge is an innovator and follows natural beekeeping practices using NO chemicals in his colonies.

Randy Oliver started beekeeping in his teens, he commercially works approximately 500 colonies leasing his bees for pollination and also selling packaged honey wholesale.  He is a researcher and much published author in prestigious bee journals, and a keen observer of honey bee behavior.

Dr. Eric Mussen is a nationally and internationally recognized expert on honey bees.  He is on staff at the University of California, Davis. He is a highly sought after speaker and has published numerous articles about various aspects of apiary science.

Because of differences in Serge’s and Randy’s style and process we strongly recommend that you take both of their beginning classes.  While there will be some redundancy, you will be presented a wide range of “how to’s” based on the styles of these experienced beekeepers.

More information is contained on individual course flyers and available on the SABA website, www.sacbeekeepers.org or by contacting one of the course coordinators:  Ernie Buda at 2211budae@att.net 916-761-3802 or Bruce Waln at bruce_waln@sbcglobal.net

SABA: Web site,   sacbeekeepers.org   email,  info@sacbeekeepers.org

_________________________________________________________________

Palo Cedro Honey Bee Festival is in September at Bishop Quinn High School in Palo Cedro.  The American Honey queen will be present and go to schools during the week.

Delta Bee Club-Meets the first Tuesday of each month.

Sacramento Area Beekeepers-Meets the third Tuesday of each month at the Belle Cooledge Community Center, southeast corner of South Land Park Drive and Fruitridge Avenue, at 7:00 p.m.

California Bee Breeders Association- For more information, call 530-633-4789. 

Southern Valley Bee Club -Meetings are held every three months.  For more information, call (559) 783-1723. 

Beekeepers Association of Southern California (BASC) - Meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the City of La Mirada Community Resource Ctr., 13710 La Mirada Blvd., Civic Center Drive on left side, at 7:00 p.m.  For more information, call (562) 505-2768. www.bascbees.org 

Nevada County Beekeepers Association-Meets the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Grass Valley Veteran's Memorial Building at 255 South Auburn Street in Grass Valley.
_________________________________________________________________