Yes, these may be isolating times but we’re an isolated group of select people that are intrigued to open a box with 1,000 of independent stingers.  Even though our monthly cluster is limited, I encourage individuals take time to observe the honey bees or delve into the endless well of information on the internet. Join the Olympia Beekeepers Association on facebook to exchange your local knowledge. Or reach out to one of our OBA mentors (with big thanks):

Linda Fuller, West Olympia          360-250-1566
Jim Rieck, Steamboat Penninsula 360-866-5218
Kitty & Roger Schiltz, Lacey          360-280-9831
Ron Scholzen, Elma                         360-482-3687
Giselle Souza, Matlock                   360-581-0713

You can also contact your OBA Board through the hotline # 360-515-7274I will be working with the board to keep us all connected with pertinent honey bee information and meeting updates.  We will be looking to access and use appropriate technology to further along the education and outreach for honey bee health and management.  Stay tuned to the website and your emails for opportunities and updates with OBA.
As we all continue learning more about the honey bee hive ecology; remember that keeping bees is connected to place. What works in one region may not have the same affect in the Pacific Northwest.  Spring is fickle in this region, it is important not to get ahead of the hive. Expanding to early can disrupt the colonies homeostasis while they are incubating the vital spring brood. Crowding the bees too long could give you early swarms. Either way it’s good to focus our efforts in keeping the bees alive. Take good notes of your beekeeping practice; they can help make future planning more scientific.  Learn from your mistakes- we all make them. Tend a new flower patch for all pollinators.  Build up and repair bee gear. Set up yellow jacket traps before the queens have a chance to build up their colonies around your apiary. Track down the ant hills that may have already found your bees sweet stuff. Get prepared for the swarm season!
Remember to enjoy the little things and feel good knowing we are connected to a super organism that has been providing wax and honey, mystery and health for thousands of years. As always, I’m looking forward to building healthy environments for us and the pollinators. BEE well and eat your local honey.

Maren Anderson