Penquis/Maine News
Penquis Beekeepers and Maine State Beekeeping News
Interested in Joining Penquis Beekeeping Club?
You can download a membership application by clicking here.
Jim Cleary Wins the 2022 Penquis Beekeepers Annual Honey Tasting Contest
Congratulations to long-time member Jim Cleary for having "the best tasting honey" for 2022. It was a close competition among 11 samples of honey submitted by members. The competition came down to a draw between a sample from Jim Cleary and that of another long-time member, Owen Blackden, that was decided by random drawing.
Congratulations to our 2022 MEMBERS OF THE YEAR
We held our first annual "Members of the Year" award, with nominations and voting carried out through online surveys.
Eugene Smith won "New Member of the Year" for his enthusiasm, involvement, and contributions to lively meeting discussions.
Jim Cleary was selected as the "Beekeeping Mentor of the Year" for being available to so many members with help, assistance and advice in their beekeeping endeavors.
At our annual meeting and potluck dinner, the winners were presented with "official" certificates to commemorate their win, and each received a $25 gift certificate to the beekeeping supply vendor of their choice.
Not everybody is "on Facebook", but the Penquis Beekeepers are now. If you have a facebook account, check us out at https://www.facebook.com/groups/penquisbeekeepers
The annual Maine beekeeper survey of losses and management practices is online at the DACF Apiary Program website (in the right-hand column under "Beekeeper Survey"). Gathering this type of data is important for seeing trends, recognizing when and how losses occur, and determining where to focus education/outreach activities in the future. All Maine beekeepers are encouraged to participate in the annual survey period (which starts again in April)
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Honeybee Program
If you are interested in beekeeping in Maine, whether commercially or as a "backyard beekeeper", you'll want to check out the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Apiary (Honeybee) Program. Everything from licensing requirements, to education, to requesting help from the Maine State Apiarist, along with links to resources and valuable beekeeping information is available there. Be sure to check it out.
Maine Bee Forage Information
Here are items on bee and pollinator habitat, and habits, that could help you keep your hives strong!
Consider Joining the Maine State Beekeepers Assocation (MSBA)
Hands-down THE place to be if you want to be part of the Maine beekeeping community, and to learn and share with people of all levels of expertise and experience. https://mainebeekeepers.org/about-msba/membership/