The Annual AABA Field Day will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in Bandera, TX. If you would like to attend contact the President of the AABA (Rick Fink – banderabees@gmail.com) or myself.
Contact information and those of the other members of the Board of Directors for the AABA area noted below.
Boerne Chapter 208 State Hwy 46 East Boerne, TX 78006 (210) 860-9558 (cell) texmanbees@gmail.com www.texmanbees.wordpress.com (bee blog)
Alamo Area Beekeepers Association AABA Field Day: Saturday, May 7, 2016 Fink Ranch 1199 Lower Mason Creek Rd Bandera, TX 78003 Theme – Beekeeping “Texas Style.” What do you get when you mix Brisket, Sausage, Potato Salad, Homemade Pies (and other desserts) and Beekeepers – A PARTY! Remember to bring a folding chair, hat, sunscreen and your bee clothing if you plan to participate in the afternoon demo. Plan to arrive about 8 AM. Tell your friends.
Cost. The Alamo Area Beekeepers Association (AABA) underwrites the cost of Field Day. Our goal is to educate people about honeybees. Product sales of honey each year support our Youth Beekeeping Scholarship Program. Donations are gratefully accepted. Each Field Day we have a Raffle (tickets for the raffle – $2.00 each; 3 for $5.00)…buy tickets and help support the AABA and our outreach educational programs.
Directions 1199 Lower Mason Creek Road, Bandera, TX 78003. Google maps shows correctly and even has a picture of the entrance on street view. Directions to Dos F Ranch are; From San Antonio drive Hwy 16 to Bandera, TX. Turn right on Main Street and travel thru town. Turn right again and exit Bandera on Hwy 173 that goes to Kerrville. After about 2 miles turn right on Mason Loop Road then in 100 feet another right on Lower Mason Creek Road. Travel approximately 1 mile and the ranch entrance is on the left. If you need additional directions – call Rick Fink (210) 872-4569 (cell). Arrival Time. Please plan to arrive between 8 AM-9 AM. Parking is available on-site and AABA members will help guide you to your parking place.
Please sign in at the Registration Booth. The President’s Welcome is scheduled for 9 AM with the morning demos to begin at approximately 9:15 AM.
Meeting Agenda (submitted by Don Fraser, VP AABA)
President’s Welcome & Visitors Intro by Rick Fink (5 min)
Demonstrations – AM (9:15-11:15 AM)
Newbie Beekeepers (Years 1-3) – Lessons Learned (Kevin Mitchell, Jeff Rouse, Mary Wilson)
Hot Hive Management – (Ed Priest)
Lip Balm – Demonstration (Ed & Sylvia Priest)
Swarm Capture & How to Hive a Swarm (Bob Allen, Dave Grinnan)
Feeding Bees – Why, When, and How (Dave Grinnan, Bob Allen)
Honey Harvest – Tips and Techniques – (Display Table)
Non-Langstroth Hives – Top Bar/Flow Hive/Warre Hive (Hannah Mathy & Trinity Bee Alliance, Trinity University; Frank Soto)
Liquid All-Natural Hand Soap (with Honey) in a Crockpot
(Margaret Wolfshohl) AABA Board Members (Rick Fink – President, Don Fraser – VP and Richard Trevino Jr – Treasurer/Membership) will provide demo and registration support.
Demonstrations – PM (1:15-3 PM)
Hive Inspection (Rick Fink) Bee Vendors – please contact Rick Fink (banderabees@gmail.com) for directions of where to park (under shade trees) on the Fink Ranch. We plan to have a fan and water mister to help cool the bee hives (and bee wranglers).
Live demo in the afternoon involve working with live bees and be conducted away from the Fink house in the apiary area.
Protective Clothing. Participants in the afternoon demos will need a liability waver and wear bee protective clothing. If you have a bee suit(s) and nitrile (or leather) gloves please bring them with you as not all the people who wish to participate have a bee suit. Put your name on the bee suit and bring it along for someone else to use. Please remember to wash your bee suit (and gloves) the day prior to the AABA Field Day (helps eliminate any alarm pheromones on your suit).
Lunch (12 Noon-1 PM). The AABA will supply the main course for the lunch meal. AABA members and visitors are encouraged to bring a covered dish, vegetables, salad & salad dressing, chips, dessert. BEE creative…beekeepers love to eat. If you are a vegetarian or gluten-sensitive please plan accordingly. If you do bring a vegetarian or gluten-free food item please label it – “Gluten Free.” If the food needs to be kept chilled please keep the food in an ice chest prior to the meal. Note. The morning demos will be completed about 11:15 AM. The lunch tables will need to be set up…food ready to be served. Please bring a lawn chair to sit on, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
Raffle & Door Prizes • Tickets for the raffle – $2.00 each; 3 for $5.00 • Door Prizes – eligible – sign in desk w/ contact info Equipment & Bee Clothing – Sale and Swap. Only bee-related items – no kitchen sinks or old cars please; if in doubt please ask.
Questions regarding the 2016 Youth Scholarship Program – Hive Update & Mentor Matching. Direct your questions and applications to Rick Fink, President of the Alamo Area Beekeepers Association. If you would like to become a “beekeeping scholarship mentor” please ask Rick Fink.
Contact Information – For Any Questions before, during or after the AABA Field Day please contact: Rick Fink President AABA banderabees@gmail.com. Don Fraser VP AABA – texmanbees@gmail.com Richard Trevino Jr Treasurer and Membership ratrevinojr@yahoo.com Lolita Bader Secretary lolitabader@gmail.com
