March 2025 Newsletter
March Speaker Topic: Apitherapy
Ruth and Austin are owners of Honeycomb Cottage MN. Last spring, they reached out to Hailey Kisch and Mike Mackiewicz about getting some beehives on their 5 acres in Stillwater. Thinking that beehives would be a great way to help them tune into and ground with nature, one thing led to another and before they knew it, they were constructing the Honeycomb Cottage! With the help of Mike and Hailey, they were able to open for the season by July of 2024. As the 4th Apitherapy Center in the United States, they are constantly in learning mode. They had many guests come out to experience the buzz and bliss of the Honeycomb Cottage MN during the first season and hope to have even more in 2025!
Ruth and Austin’s presentation will cover: a brief bio of the owners, the benefits of Apitherapy, how they discovered apitherapy and constructed the Honeycomb Cottage, other Apitherapy Centers in the US, some of the issues they ran into during our first season, input from Mike Mackiewicz on the beekeeping side of the business, pricing and session options for 2025 season.
Mike Mackiewicz, from Bone Lake Meadow Apiary, has been keeping honey bees for more than 20 years. He has Bee yards located up and down the St. Croix River valleys on restoration prairie projects, CSA organic farmlands, and organic orchards. He is a strong supporter of local farmers markets and food hubs and is an active participant in these activities. Currently he is managing 50 hives using organic sustainable methods to help keep winter survival rates high in this northern climate.
Hailey Kisch is a dedicated agricultural advocate with a focus on sustainability and food sovereignty. She holds a B.S. in Soil and Water Science and an M.S. in Range Science from Montana State University, which laid the foundation for her pursuit of sustainable farming and land stewardship. Along with her husband Trevor and their four children, Hailey operates a thriving farm near Shafer, where they focus on producing high-quality food while maintaining land health. They emphasize sustainability, teaching their children about soil health, resource conservation, and preserving harvests for year-round use. Hailey is also passionate about beekeeping, having apprenticed with Mike of Bone Lake Meadows Apiary for the past four years. She manages hives across Chisago County and works with Mike to offer apitherapy treatments in Stillwater, enhancing biodiversity and the connection between pollinators and food systems. Her work reflects a holistic approach to farming, blending science, hands-on practice, and respect for nature as she nurtures the land and fosters sustainability for future generations.
President's Hive
Dear Members,
Welcome to our new members! Many of you are coming fresh from the U of M “Beekeeping in Northern Climates” class. We hope that you will find this newsletter helpful and informative.
Fingers crossed that everyone who attended the March 1st Banquet and Fundraiser had a wonderful time (I wrote this column BEFORE the event was held). At our March 11th member meeting, we will report the amount of money that we raised for the Bee Lab. THANK YOU to banquet chair Jessica Minser, her committee members Jessica Marshall-Kurysh, Charlie & Molly Kundinger, and Cathy & Mark Lee, and all the volunteers for making this event a success!
Spring is nearly here, and with the banquet in the rearview mirror, our focus should now be on the rapidly approaching beekeeping season. It’s time to inventory your beekeeping tools, equipment, and supplies and I encourage everyone to shop locally. Please support our wonderful beekeeping businesses, advertisers, and donors.
Here are some important things to know for this month:
March Member Meeting
Our March member meeting will feature Ruth & Austin from the Honeycomb Cottage and Mike Mackiewicz and his apprentice Hailey Kisch from Bone Lake Meadows Apiary on Tuesday, March 11th at 7:00 PM. According to traditional apitherapy, the gentle hum of the bees in the Honeycomb Cottage creates a soothing, vibrational energy that can be absorbed by lying on top of the beehives. This calming, massage-like effect can help to reduce stress, improve circulation, and boost overall energy levels, promoting a sense of well-being and relaxation. Bone Lake Meadows Apiary is located in the open, rural spaces of Washington County, Minnesota. Their apiary aims towards sustainable beekeeping. Speaker biographies are included in this newsletter. At this meeting, we will also be honoring the newly-retired Marla Spivak. Please join us at the University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus in Room 335, Borlaug Hall. Treats served! Directions to the meeting are found elsewhere in this newsletter. If you are unable to attend in person, a Zoom link may also be elsewhere in the newsletter.
Congratulations to our 2025 Youth Scholarship Recipients!
- Izzie Wang - Woodbury, Mentor Nicole Colman
- Eric Baar - Cambridge, Mentor Quintin Holmberg
- Jude Potraz - Plymouth, Mentor Tom LeMay
- Abbey Melhus - St. Paul, Mentor Bob Hinschberger
Library Reminder
Don’t forget to return any library items that you might have borrowed.
Donation Request
We have a door prize drawing at the conclusion of most in-person meetings. Please consider donating new or slightly used bee-related items (or other items of interest) for the drawing.
Kate Winsor
MHBA President
Better Beekeeping Through Education
Next Meeting
Member Meeting
Tuesday, March 11th, 7:00 PM
Hybrid meeting:
In-Person: Borlaug Hall, Room 335
Via Zoom: Meeting Link
Hive Demo
No Hive Demo
Click here for directions.
Upcoming Events
March 11
Apitherapy
Ruth & Austin of Honeycomb Cottage
Mike Mackiewicz of Bone Lake Meadow Apiary
Hailey Kisch, M.S., Range Science
April 8
Bee Check Program
Jamison Scholer, MDA
May 13
May splits demo and pizza party
at the Bee Lab
June 10
TBD
July 8
Creamed & Infused Honey
Quintin Holmberg
August 12
Annual Picnic
At the fairgrounds
September
TBD
October
TBD
November
Annual Meeting & Youth Scholarship Presentations
March 2025 Management
As I write this (Feb 23) the temp has just gotten above freezing for the first time in a long time. I am thinking it is finally the time to be able to work with the bees. However, I am reminding myself not to get toooo excited.
At this time of the year, it is important to do your work depending on weather. If it is above freezing it is safe to lift the cover and take a peek. Do not remove frames or disturb the cluster unless the temperature is above 50ºF (10ºC).
The first inspection is just to see if the bees are alive and provide them with a pollen patty. The hope is there is still pollen in the hive for the bees to use. Giving them this pollen patty is insurance that they will have the protein they need to feed brood. If there is no pollen or it is too far outside the cluster for them to reach it the pollen patty is there for them. Give them a 4 - 8 oz. pollen patty depending on the strength of the colony and when you will be back. When you put the pollen patty in, slide it in from the side until it is against the cluster. If the cluster is not above the top frames, then put the pollen patty between the two top boxes next to the cluster. The pollen patty must be in contact with the cluster for them to be able to use it.
Check honey stores. If you left the bees enough honey last fall, they will be ok. If they have 2 full frames (or 4 half full frames) they should be fine. Just because the bees are in the top box does not mean they are out of honey. By looking down between the frames you should be able to see if the frames have honey in them.
If the colony is starving (not enough honey to last until your next inspection), then you have to feed them even though it is not ideal. The best feed at this time of year is frames of honey. If you had a colony that died with honey left, you can use it after you verify the colony did not die from the bacterial disease American foulbrood (AFB). Add any honey frames at the edge of the cluster. Do not put a cold frame of honey into the cluster of bees. You do not want to separate any of the brood this time of year and putting a cold frame of honey in the cluster takes a lot of heat from them. If I must feed honey, I like to add a box with honey to the top so the bees can move up naturally.
If you do not have any frames of honey, put dry sugar between the inner cover and the moisture board or a candy patty on top of the frames. Remember to only add sugar to the colony if absolutely necessary. Incoming sucrose can trigger the bees to start raising brood early. The bees need to keep the cluster warmer when brood is present, using more honey. They also have less space to store honey inside the cluster and will not leave the brood to move to more honey. So feeding sugar this early is bad for them if they do not need it.
A couple weeks after your first inspection, go back and do the same thing again. Check the feed and give more pollen substitute if the bees ate most of the first one. If the first one is still there but moldy or dried out, remove it and give them a fresh piece. If they are not eating the patty, it may mean they have plenty of pollen in the frames. However, it is best to keep a pollen patty on in case they run out.
If they are dead, close up the boxes so mice and/or bees cannot get in. Of course, you do not want the mice to go in and destroy combs. You also do not want other bees robbing any honey when they start flying. If the colony died from a disease such as AFB, robbing bees could pick up disease spores with the honey and bring the disease back to their hive. Once you know the colony did not die from AFB, you can use the equipment and honey for a new package or divide. You can also use the honey to feed a live colony that made it through winter without enough food reserves.
Clean out any dead out equipment before it starts to thaw. The longer you wait, the more unpleasant it will be. When cleaning out dead bees, just brush away any bees between the frames. Do not try to get dead bees out of the cells. You will do more damage than good. Replace any frames that look bad. Try to replace brood nest frames every 3-5 years.
Gary
Reproduction of all or part of this article without the author’s permission is prohibited.
Classifieds
Bees for splits, overwintered and under-wintered colonies, queen cells by arrangement, and pails of honey for sale.
Prices vary by season.
Contact Adrian - [email protected]
RAW HONEY FOR SALE:
Running low on honey, we have buckets of raw single source available.
3# PACKAGES & 5 FRAME NUCS:
For more information call Fieldstone Apiaries
Www.FieldstoneApiaries.com
612-979-8213
or email [email protected]
952 212 6853, Viktor
The Urban Ventures Farm and nutrition program is a nonprofit urban organic farm located in south Minneapolis that locally grows thousands of pounds of vegetables, fruit, and eggs that is distributed to 10,000 families at no charge. Beside addressing food insecurity, the farm also impacts 700 children with nutrition and agriculture education, healthy cooking classes, and beginner farmer training to aid families in their desire to be self-sustaining.
Their farm on the Midtown Greenway is licensed for bees and they have had many years of producing local honey. They are currently looking for local beekeepers to keep bees at this location. If you are interested in beekeeping at this urban farm (they will also provide the hives, smoker, clothing, and storage space), please contact Mark-Peter Lindquist at [email protected]
Did you know your membership allows you to place classified ads in the MHBA Newsletter?
Inaugural Midwest HoneyBee Expo was a Success!
The Midwest Honeybee Expo, held on January 25-26 at the Waukesha, Wisconsin Expo Center, drew in hundreds of beekeepers from across the country. Vendors and information booths were stationed at this inaugural expo, including information about MHBA at a table staffed by MHBA Board Members Christine Shoemaker and Karen Voy. The event included speakers from across North America and presentations about how to keep your bees alive in harsh weather conditions. MHBA Board Member, Peg DeSanto, did a presentation on Vented Hives vs. Condensing Hives and introduced the Hive Hugger winterization system. Here is a clip that was aired on the local news station CBS58: TV News Link
Bee and Honey Superintendent at MN State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is in search of a Superintendent to oversee the Bee & Honey division activities and programs through management of the following: competition and judging, staff, demonstrations and activities, volunteers. This position is perfect for someone who has a passion for engaging with exhibitors, demonstrators and the public. This position oversees the operations and daily functions of the bee & honey department in the Agriculture Horticulture Building leading up to and throughout the twelve days of the State Fair. To apply go www.mnstatefair.org/get-involved/employment/ and click on "career portal".
How to BEE a “Bee-friendly” Policy Advocate
Liz Pepin, Board of Directors
You may have seen on our MHBA Facebook page, or have heard elsewhere, about proposed bills HF451 and SF1211. These bills seek to repeal funding for the Minnesota “Lawns to Legumes” program that aims to support native pollinators and improve biodiversity in our state.
These bills are just an example of the kind of policy change that can have huge impacts on our native pollinators, and honeybees alike! But what can you do as one person?
As luck would have it, I can tell you.
In January, I was selected by One Hive Foundation to be a grant recipient (and representative for MHBA) to attend the 2025 American Beekeeping Federation conference to partake in a workshop on “Bee-Friendly Policy and Advocacy Training” presented by Judy Wu-Smart of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bee Lab.
Now is the time to start if you are interested in being active in bee-friendly policies, and even small actions can have big results. Did you know it takes just FIVE personal letters/emails to trigger the algorithm and get the attention of your legislators?
People can’t help if they don’t know your problems, your needs or that you exist! The remainder of this article will give you the tips and tools you need to feel confident in taking the next steps to support our honeybees and pollinators through policy action.
First, identify your “Ask” and your support.
What is your problem and what solution or support are you looking for?
Start by looking at what has worked and what policies have passed in other states so you don’t have to start from scratch. This can help demonstrate where your local needs stand in comparison to others and point you toward people you can reach out toward for added guidance.
Is there an industry or local group you can find a consensus of support from? Is there a letter writing campaign or list of signatures in support you can initiate?
Keep it simple and keep it in perspective.
The goal is to bring people together with like-minded agendas so keep your “ask” (bill/action) simple and inclusive. Think in terms of “Profits vs. Harm” as opposed to benefits vs. harm which may translate to constituents vs. bees/environment. No policymaker wants to disregard or upset their constituents. Look for a middle ground, alternative solution or better yet, a mutually beneficial solution.
Who do you want support or action from?
Consider what support or intervention you are seeking.
Is this a city, county, state or Federal issue? Is it a combination of these?
Does this need continued research, with allocated funds under a broad definition of pollinators/bees that maintaining a “honeybee” specific target is not important? Do you need extension funding with a permanent position to lean on and advocate specifically for honeybees or your industry?
Who do you contact and how?
Do your research! A policymaker is not going to show up at your door and ask how they can help you, it is your job to find a policymaker that will hear you!
Get online and find your local representative’s websites. Look for senators and their profiles, current bills, live stream events, and local committees. Look for committees and people that align with your goals based on their past action. Target a policymaker that will be your champion! Often younger legislators are more open to taking on a new project and building connections (and portfolios). Find commonalities in what they’ve done and hope to do. It helps to find “talking points” you can use to your advantage in establishing a rapport. Once you think you’ve found a good candidate, reach out to set a meeting with their staffer.
Step-by-step “How’s” of the process for engaging with legislators and staffers:
- Conduct background research: Review legislators, policies, committees to target offices.
- Reach out to many for bipartisan support (Republicans/Democrats)
- Find highlights/commonalities
- Set the Meet: Identify staffer roles and the expectations for connecting with legislators next
- Legislative Aides (LA)
- Administrative Aides (AA)
- Thanks and Introductions: THANK THEM for meeting, introduce who you are (or your group) briefly, who you represent, what you do, why you do it, how it contributes to your state or industry.
- Connect with them. Utilize the information collected in Step 1 (research phase) to acknowledge their portfolio, previous work, and find common ground.
- Make your “Ask”: Provide a clear, concise request and summarize points (big picture messaging in laymen terms!) then follow up with specifics.
- Great time to have a list of names signed in support to provide!
- The Question Check: Further engage with probing questions to obtain feedback and assess support/interest, course correct focus if needed.
- Ask why they are interested – personal connection/story, past or current policy work?
- Look for these connections if they seem disinterested or perceive low feedback.
- Gently/kindly point out misinformation, educate and redirect back to facts/topic.
- Strong objections/dislikes can be countered with facts/evidence and probing to connect.
- Distracted or chatting about irrelevant things (ex- “I got stung by a bee once and have hated them since!”) redirect and refocus by making connections back to your topic/point as needed.
- Conclude: Be respectful of their time and do not go over the allotted time, leave any card/flyers relevant and (if appropriate) invite them to visit.
- Pro-Tip: Leave a few jars of honey with your name on it! (One for the aide(s) and legislator). AKA “Karma Honey”.
- The Follow-Up: After the meeting, follow up with specific resources (if needed or asked for), emphasize you’d like to stay connected, then provide them with your contact information again via email.
Finally –
You’ve done the research, got the support and made the connection! Work on drafting any policy well in advance of an upcoming session, be flexible, and be prepared it won’t be quick. Don’t get discouraged! Persistence is key.
For additional resources:
American Beekeeping Federation: Legislative Issues and Updates
https://abfnet.org/legislation-advocacy/
Pollinator Stewardship Council
https://www.pollinatorstewardship.org/
One Hive Foundation
https://www.onehivefoundation.org/
Or contact your local Apiculture Extension Educator [BeeLab UMN]
Online Tools
Here are the online tools that were highlighted by Becky Masterman during her presentation at our February meeting:
Beescape
Beescape is a web-based tool developed by Penn State University to help beekeepers, gardeners, urban planners, growers, researchers, and land managers assess the quality of their landscapes for supporting bees and other pollinators. Bees can fly up to 3 miles from their nest to find food, and Beescape provides an easy way for you to explore the landscapes surrounding your location.
Beescape - The Center for Pollinator Research
Honey Bee Health Coalition
The Honey Bee Health Coalition brings together beekeepers, growers, researchers, government agencies, agribusinesses, conservation groups, manufacturers, and consumer brands to improve the health of honey bees.
HoneyBeeNet
The HoneyBeeNet website provides a central location for the collection and sharing of nectar flow records by volunteers and provides comparisons with satellite data.
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
Email a photo to Gary Reuter at [email protected] before noon on the day of the member's meeting so he can project it on the screen during “Ask the Expert.” We will all learn from you what you see in your hive.
Online Resources
Please visit our website!
https://mnbeekeepers.com/
We continue to make updates and changes to our website. Recently, we reorganized the Education page.
https://mnbeekeepers.com/ed/
Stay tuned for no-cost Community-based beekeeping classes & events in the new calendar:
https://mnbeekeepers.com/events/
If you are offering a class/event, you may submit the details to have it listed on our website:
https://mnbeekeepers.com/add-a-community-event/
Join Us On Facebook
Join our members only Facebook group:
https://mnbeekeepers.com/facebook-group/
This is a place for members to ask questions, share answers, share photos and videos, and socialize online.
MHBA Board Minutes
Please check the website for the latest, approved Board meeting minutes.
More Announcements
Membership Renewal
There are three ways to renew your membership today!
- Renew your membership online with a credit card (preferred).
- Mail the membership renewal form to our treasurer at the address provided
- Renew in person by bringing your completed form and check to the next meeting.
Our Renewal Form can be found at our Become a Member page:
https://www.mnbeekeepers.com/become_member
Newsletter Submissions
The MHBA newsletter welcomes articles, photos, recipes, etc. from members. Please send them to the editor:
[email protected]
If an article is a reprint from another source, permission must be gained if required. The due date for newsletter submission is the 25th of the month for the next month's newsletter.
MHBA Board
| Position | Member |
|---|---|
| President | Kate Winsor |
| Vice President | Bill Thompson |
| Secretary | Michelle Maas |
| Treasurer | Bob Hinschberger |
| Directors | |
| Peg DeSanto | |
| Willie Gabberd | |
| Quintin Holmberg | |
| Charlie Kundinger | |
| Katie Lee, PhD. (appointed) | |
| Jessica Marshall-Kurysh | |
| Mike Paskeuric | |
| Liz Pepin | |
| Gary Reuter | |
| Christine Shoemaker | |
| Karen Voy | |
| Membership | Steve Buck |
| Newsletter Editor | Quintin Holmberg |
| Technology Committee | Quintin Holmberg |
| Gary Reuter | |
| Librarian | Gail Dramen |
| Outreach | Susan Bornstein |
| Ask Buzz | JoAnne Sabin |
| Swarm Chasers | Bob Sitko |
| Hospitality | Mark & Cathy Lee |
| Banquet | Jessica Minser |
Get Involved
Make this the year to get more involved in your club! To become a Community Outreach volunteer or a Swarm Chaser please complete and submit the appropriate form by visiting:
https://mnbeekeepers.com/get-involved/
NOTE: The contents of this Newsletter are the sole property of the Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association (MHBA). NO REPUBLICATION OR USE in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, by any other person or entity without the prior express written permission from MHBA’s Board of Directors is permitted. MHBA may be contacted at [email protected]