Honey Bee Extravaganza!
Most definitely NOT your ordinary bee keeping class! 

Rhodes Bee Farm will be hosting just that! A FREE FULL DAY with speakers who have a combined 55+ years of bee keeping experience! 

When: June 16, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM - ??
Where: Country Mill 4648 Otto Rd Charlotte, MI 48813

We will break for lunch from 1-2. Please bring your lunch with you. 

We will have drawing for BIG prizes! A medium 5-frame nuc donated by Ole Bearz Bees, A deep 5-frame nuc donated by Rhodes Bee Farm/Mackinac  Island Honey Bee Co, and Woodenware donated by Shastina Millwork 

There is a lot, please make sure you take the time to read it all!!!

Speakers Include

Mel Disselkoen
EAS Eastern Apiculitural Society​Master Beekeeper
​mdasplitter.com

"Once you learn my OTS method, you should never have to buy bees again, barring unfortunate instances such as insecticide kill." - Mel Disselkoen

Mel will share with those who attend some of the many things he has learned over the many years about bee keeping. There are many times that I have called Mel with a question and he would answer my question with a question. I would be beyond frustrated, then I learned to listen to what Mel was really telling me with his questions. 

Ben Schlenker
​olebearzbees.com

Cut-outs
Ben will share what is cut out is, where they come from, and will also discuss swarms, swarm catching and how to remove bees from structures other than buildings. Removing bees from a home is called a cut-out. Cut-outs are out there and some are intrigued, and some want nothing to do with them. If you want to learn about Ole Bears Bees methods come join us! Ole Bears Bees has been doing cut outs for the last several years and will be sharing their methods and would love to also hear some of yours. They will be discussing "do's and don'ts" as well as recommending things often not considered like: site visits, removal insurance, cut out repair, treatment of customer's property, how to educate the owners and neighbors, and being properly compensated while maintaining the integrity of the profession.  They will also have some of their tools and will offer time for questions and answers. 

John Schwartz
Runs "OTS" Beekeeping on Facebook

John will discuss 7 key principles to remember for successful "OTS" queen rearing and colony increase. There are many new beekeepers being introducted to "On The Spot" queen rearing ideas as developed by Mel Disselkoen. Sometimes folks aren't successful right off as they attempt OTS, not understanding some key principles that need to be followed. Learn form common mistakes as we discuss 7 key principles for successful OTS queen rearing, colony increase, artificial swarming and more. 

Kevin Nevills of Aunt Nancy Produce, a partner of Rhodes Bee Farm, will be going through some bee keeping basics and things that beginning beekeepers need to know. Kevin is in his 4th year of bee keeping and started like a lot of other bee keepers, with a lot of BAD information. He will share some of the things that he has learned through the years to help you improve your skills and hopefully not make some of the mistakes that he did. He is extremely knowledgeable beekeeper and is becoming a better bee keeper everyday! Kevin is also learning the art of grafting and queen rearing. He had learned a lot about the warre hive and will have one on hand. 

There will also be some hands on time with the bees. Please bring your bee suit and leave your gloves at home!  Your bee suit must be bleached and we will have gloves on hand for you to use. We recommend also bleaching your bee suit when you go home as well. This is for the safety of our bees and your bees as well. 

Bee Vendors
We are looking for other bee vendors who are northern, treatment free and/or use the OTS method. Booth space is free, please call Rusty to discuss this further. 

Woodenware
 We will also have wooden ware from Shastina Millworks for sale as well. As we are now the northeastern sales representative for Shastina. 

We will also have deep and medium frames for sale for $1 a piece. If you are looking to purchase a large quantity please notify us so we can make sure we have them on hand.

Lastly
Please RSVP to help us get an approx head count! 
mackinacislandhoneybeeco@gmail.com

Donations are appreciated, but not required. All donations will go to speakers to cover travel expenses.

Thank you to our sponsors: Shastina Millwork and The Country Mill!

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