LEARNING BEE YARD MANAGEMENT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
COLONIAL BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
POQUOSON MUSEUM LEARNING BEE YARD
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
As of January 25, 2015
Purpose: The purpose of the Learning Bee Yard is to provide the CBA and public an opportunity to observe and gain hands-on experience in the proper management of honeybees. The primary purpose is not strictly to product honey or nucs but nucs may be produced for demonstration purposes or for sale.
Responsibilities:
- Learning Bee Yard Supervisor: A Learning Bee Yard Supervisor will be appointed and is responsible for all aspects of the management of the hives, the CBA’s bee yard equipment and the Learning Bee Yard in general. The Supervisor is responsible for coordinating with the Museum staff to schedule routine CBA Field Day activities.
- Learning Bee Hive CBA Instructors: Several experienced CBA members will have unrestricted access to the Learning Bee Yard to instruct or manage the hives. They will have the gate combination and may manage the hives as necessary or take other members into the Learning Bee Yard. Instructors must inform the Supervisor of their intended plans and coordinate with the Museum if a large group meeting is planned.
- CBA membership: The CBA membership is responsible for volunteering to help maintain the Learning Bee Yard,assist with woodenware assembly yard maintenance and honey extraction. In addition, The CBA will assist the museum staff and Master Gardeners in the grounds maintenance of the general museum areas around the Learning Bee Yard location.
Equipment: The Learning Bee Yard hives will consist of all medium eight-frame equipment to standardize equipment. A mix of foundation may be used for demonstration purposes. The Supervisor will determine final equipment requirements.
Learning Bee Yard Access Process:
1. A Learning Bee Yard Instructor will inform the Supervisor of his/her intention to access the yard and the purpose of visit, including what will take place and what changes will be made.
2. If a large group (>15 people) plans to visit, then the Supervisor informs the Museum staff in advance.
3. No one will be allowed access to the Learning Bee Yard unless they have donned a full face veil for protection from bee stings to the face and eye areas. Other protective clothing is recommended.
4. Ensure all club members have signed a Museum Liability Form which must be submitted and on file with the museum staff before they are allowed to enter the Learning Bee Yard.
5. Ensure the Learning Bee Yard is neat and all equipment is secured and the gate locked prior to leaving.
Hive Management: Management of the hives will be in accordance with accepted Integrated Pest Management techniques. The Learning Bee Yard Supervisor will be responsible for deciding how and when the colonies are managed to ensure the health and productivity of the hive.
Honey and hive products
- All honey and products from the Learning Bee hives are property of the CBA. Honey and other products will be sold as a CBA fundraiserto offset the costs and maintenance of the Learning Bee Yard.
- Hive Splits/Nucs – Any splits or nucs derived from the Learning Bee Hives are property of the CBA and the sale of any bees or colonies will be submitted to the Treasurer as fundraiser funds.
Routine scheduled events:
- The Learning Bee Yard will be the primary location for routine CBA Field Days, to include the Beginner Beekeeper’s Course Field Day. These events must be coordinated with the Museum staff to deconflict with any Museum events.
- The CBA has agreed to provide beekeepers for Museum and/or Master Gardener events at least once a year. The Supervisor will be responsible for ensuring these events are supported.
- The CBA will volunteer to conduct an onsite beekeeping presentation for the public once a year if requested by the Museum. This may include an extraction event. However, no honey will be sold while on the museum property.
Conflict resolution: The Learning Bee Yard Supervisor has the responsibility to make decisions to manage the Learning hives. However, any differences in management techniques, care or use of the Learning Bee hives or resources may be bought up to the President or Vice President for consideration by the Executive Committee and if necessary the CBA membership.
Commitment: The CBA will commit to supporting the Learning Bee Yard hives for at least two years. The CBA will review the benefit and approve the continued use and maintenance of the Learning Bee Yard on a two year basis.
Operating Instruction Change Process: Changes to this Operating Instruction will be proposed to the CBA Executive team for consideration and approval.