BY LARRY DUPEE
Special to the Times
LAKE BUTLER — The Union County Beekeepers are getting ready for spring, helping each other and learning together to best practice their traditional art.
The Beekeepers meet most every month at the Union County Agricultural Education Center, home to the UF/IFIS Extension Service, to share secrets and enjoy a program. Beginners are welcome and encouraged to ask questions and even the experienced beekeeper can always benefit from the tips and trick of their fellow hobbyists.
“The importance of beekeeping is in the fact that they are necessary to our world as pollinators of plants, including the ones we use as food,” said Cecilia Young, president of the Union County Beekeepers. “Their presence is an indication about how well we are doing with the environment. Besides that, they are a fascinating and very complicated insect with many amazing features.”
The club has been in existence since 2015 and currently has about 18 members. Besides monthly meetings (with a couple exceptions, like December) the members interact with the community in outreach programs at events like the annual Farm/City Day and in teaching new beekeepers the “ropes.” Club members hope to be able to set up one or more hives at the education center that can be used for demonstrations and other teaching activities. Anyone interested in learning more about beekeeping and joining the club can call the Extension Office for contact numbers and/or confirmed meeting dates and times (most months the meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.).
At its first meeting of the new year, on Jan. 18, 2022, the club elected the officers for the coming year. Young volunteered to be president for another term, as did Secretary/Treasurer Nancy Brewer. After the month’s business was completed, there was a discussion about securing new bees for their hives, led by Mickey Shaefer, president of the Gainesville Beekeepers.
The evenings program was given by Allen Stefanik and concerned preventing swarming by dividing the population of hives, thus reducing crowded situations that can lead to swarming behaviors, a practice known as “splitting.” He took the time to make sure that all understood the specialized terms found in the hobby so they could clearly understand what he was teaching about. Stefanik’s program was both entertaining and educational, including a Power Point presentation and a short film. He took the time to deal with all of the questions asked at the end of his talk – from beginners and veteran beekeepers alike.
When the meeting was concluded the members left slowly, spending time talking with each other about their shared hobby. The group is friendly and all are welcome to join.
