Honeybee Research Project needs Golf Course in NC Cancel The title field is required!

1. Sheppard Paul

   
   9/16/2013 7:09 AM

   Dear All,
   
   There is the possibility of setting up a research project on a Golf Course located in the Asheville, NC area. The project involves setting up some beehives in an out of play area or in close proximity to the Golf Course and testing the wax produced ,over time, for pesticides used on the course.
   
   Golf Courses have received negative publicity due to high pesticide use. Some of the blame for the problem that honey bees are experiencing (CCD) is being put on golf courses. We believe that, provided pesticides are applied in the correct manner that there is little or no build up of these substances due to golf course maintenance practices, in honey bee wax.
   
   A parallel experiment will also be set up on an island in the Caribbean on a Golf Course located a safe distance away from any major agricultural or landscaping project.
   
   We are looking for the following:
   
   A Golf Course in the Asheville, NC area
   A golf Course located at least two miles away from any major agriculture project.
   A place on the Golf Course where 10 hives can be set up. Can be an out of play area or an area in close proximity to the Golf Course.
   Willingness of the Superintendent and the Club to be involved.
   Note: All beekeeping and handling of the hives will be done by professional beekeepers form the Center for Honeybee Research, Asheville.
   
   This project has great PR possibilities for anyone wanting to get involved.The project will start in spring 2014. If you would like to know more about it or would like to be involved please contact me at the following:
   
   Paul Sheppard, Golf Course Superintendent
   paul@stluciagolf.com
   828-318-4566
   
   Regards,
   
   Paul

   
   
   
   
2. Wahlin Scott B

   
   9/16/2013 8:09 PM

   This honeybee thing is a bunch of *stuff*. There are no native bees in the US. All bees in this country were introduced and pollination occurred prior to their arrival. European bees were the favorite, but African bees are freaking here now. Over 90% of the bees in South Florida are Africanized and are dangerous to humans and livestock. I had a golfer lay down on a green as she became covered with bees. She was just going to let them kill her I guess. I took her 100 yards away and all the bees left, just like the Dept of Ag said they would. Kill all the freaking bees. Find another pollinator.

   
   
   
   
3. Sheppard Paul

   
   9/17/2013 7:09 AM

   Scott
   Thanks for your reply. You have given me an opportunity to make a few things a little more clear:
   ALL the pollinators are in trouble including bumble bees,solitary bees,bats and butterflies- the "original" pollinators in the US.
   This project is to be done areas that are not infested with AHB (Africanised Honey Bees). Asheville, NC does not have AHB.
   The Almond industry in California relies 100% on honey bees for pollination. It is a billion dollar industry for the US.
   The United States consumes over 500 million pounds of honey a year of which close to 160 million pounds is produced by American beekeepers the rest is imported. Want to help save the economy? Help save the bees.
   Just some "stuff" i thought you might like to know.
   Paul

   
   
   
   
4. Wahlin Scott B

   
   9/17/2013 12:09 PM

   Sorry if I sounded nasty. I have been burned trying to do the right thing regarding environmental research. Bees in South Florida are only a problem now. My golf course was surrounded by high intensity agriculture. We used a lot of Merit (one of the ones I see blamed for harming bees) and we had no shortage of bees. In our case they were creating hives in drains that had been sprayed directly with Merit. The problem has gotten a lot worse over the past three years. Maybe Monsanto should find the gene that makes these Africanized bees so hearty and make their own GM Bees!

   
   
   
   
5. Edward Doda

   

   0 posts
   
   10/30/2013 2:10 PM

   [attachment=0">DSCF3624.JPG[/attachment">Five years ago our province banned cosmetic use of pesticides and offered exemptions for golf courses. The courses had to become members of the IPM Council of Canada and do the usual record keeping etc...
   One of my new employees was an apiarist and also a journalist who had beekeeping in his blood..He loves bees and all to do with bees. I asked if it was possible if we could have some hives at the course to prove that we are good environmental neighbours and a few months later we were harvesting over 400 pounds of honey. We sell it to members, have soap and lip balm made from the wax and honey which we sell to members and also make mead, honey wine made famous by Norsemen with funny hats and names, Ours is very dry and very potent(16%). This we keep for ourselves but do offer tastings to friends and members.
   In a good year 100 lbs honey per hive is a good yield. Two years ago we were over 200 lbs/hive. Needless to say we made a fair bit of mead and sold 700 jars to members plus gave the kitchen all they wanted. This year after a terrible mild winter that featured seesaw temps from +12C to -14C in only a few hours all our bees died. We got new colonies started and this year only 40lbs/hive.
   Lots of things can screw up bees from lousy breeding to stress to lousy beekeepers to weather conditions to chemicals to parasites/diseases but it is easy to pick on ag chems. Plus bees travel the world, we bought new queens and they came from Australia so I would think any pestilence could effect bees world wide in short order.
   I have beeswax just finished purifying and if you want to test it let me know
   
   ed doda, barrie cc an hour north of toronto

   
   
   
   
6. Peter Bowman

   

   11 posts
   
   10/30/2013 4:10 PM

   Now that's a great story.

   
   
   
   
7. Fleegel Timothy

   
   10/30/2013 9:10 PM

   I'd love a jar of that honey if you're selling Ed. Any issues shipping across the border?

   
   
   
   
8. Peter Bowman

   

   11 posts
   
   11/1/2013 9:11 PM

   Edward Doda said: [attachment=0">DSCF3624.JPG[/attachment">Five years ago our province banned cosmetic use of pesticides and offered exemptions for golf courses. The courses had to become members of the IPM Council of Canada and do the usual record keeping etc...
   One of my new employees was an apiarist and also a journalist who had beekeeping in his blood..He loves bees and all to do with bees. I asked if it was possible if we could have some hives at the course to prove that we are good environmental neighbours and a few months later we were harvesting over 400 pounds of honey. We sell it to members, have soap and lip balm made from the wax and honey which we sell to members and also make mead, honey wine made famous by Norsemen with funny hats and names, Ours is very dry and very potent(16%). This we keep for ourselves but do offer tastings to friends and members.
   In a good year 100 lbs honey per hive is a good yield. Two years ago we were over 200 lbs/hive. Needless to say we made a fair bit of mead and sold 700 jars to members plus gave the kitchen all they wanted. This year after a terrible mild winter that featured seesaw temps from +12C to -14C in only a few hours all our bees died. We got new colonies started and this year only 40lbs/hive.
   Lots of things can screw up bees from lousy breeding to stress to lousy beekeepers to weather conditions to chemicals to parasites/diseases but it is easy to pick on ag chems. Plus bees travel the world, we bought new queens and they came from Australia so I would think any pestilence could effect bees world wide in short order.
   I have beeswax just finished purifying and if you want to test it let me know
   
   ed doda, barrie cc an hour north of toronto

   
   
   Ed,
   
   I just read your story outloud to my 1/2 Finnish wife, because, as a third grade teacher, she's interested in that. She says she wants some Mead. She'll trade you for some Sima.

   
   
   
   
9. Edward Doda

   

   0 posts
   
   11/3/2013 10:11 AM

   [attachment=0">P1000374.JPG[/attachment">[attachment=1">DSCF4502.JPG[/attachment">[attachment=2">DSCF4090.JPG[/attachment">
   
   Thanks for the kind words. Peter I looked up that Finnish drink and we may make some with honey of course, should be delicious.
   
   A year after we started with the bees a superintendent friend at CFB Borden also started keeping hives. Our beekeeper Bill would visit and we would all help with "taking off the honey". Our operations are small and once hives and some equipment are acquired the costs are not very high. We turned a profit after our second season and even with the re-establishment of our bee populations this year we made a couple of dollars.
   If courses are rural keeping bees is good publicity and the product is tasty nothing like the stuff that you get at the supermarket. Each harvest is different in taste but there is no bad honey, it takes on the flavour of what nectar the bees gathered. My favorite is the fall honey which has a stronger taste which is from the goldenrod the bees work. It is terrific for bbq'ed and smoked meats.
   
   Local beekeepers I've found are quite helpful and are a great source of info and help. Plus there is lots of info on the 'net and colleges can provide help starting an apiary. Our staff help with harvesting and it only takes an afternoon to process our ten hives now. Our label attracts a great deal of attention and the whole thing makes for a good story.....
   
   ed doda..barrie cc..an hour north of toronto..

   
   
   
   
10. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    11/3/2013 2:11 PM

    We have heard that it is best to buy local honey to help combat allergies. Since they are collecting pollen from that area.
    
    Don't know if it's true or not, but we try to follow that practice.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO