BG Bees is dedicated to the education of beekeepers in hopes of shifting the paradigm of colony losses to a higher degree of survival. After all, beekeeping is overwhelmingly challenging as we struggle to appreciate the complex symbiotic relationship between nature surrounding a honey bee colony and the bees within the hive.

Honey Bee Workshop

Three legs orchestrates through three functional educational opportunities:

Presentation style offerings from top honey bee researchers. Current information!

Round table discussions – Translating the didactic material into actionable management strategies.

‘In Hive” Experience – Listen – Discuss – Practice: A Hive Mentor guides attendees through a hive inspection highlighting the didactic and actionable ideas into practical beekeeping.

CALDNDAR

This will be in Hood River, Oregon. Hood River County has earned the title as the place that produces more winter pears than any other destination in the United States. By the numbers, Hood River County is home to more than 15,000 acres of cropland dominated by pear production but also including grapes, apples, and cherries..

Three legs and three style offerings: 1) Presentations, 2) Round Table Discussions, and 3) ‘in hive’ Experience.

Each of you will delve into the life of the honey bee. Taking:

• the didactic presentation materials
• to a discussion table,
• translating the information into practical management of your colonies.

Finally, you will have an opportunity to delve into a honey bee colony to assess the needs, the health and what issues may arise in the near future.

• Dewey Caron, PhD

  Dr. Dewey Caron, an entomologist by profession, is also an avid beekeeper. He dedicates his life to sharing his knowledge with other beekeepers. Dr. Dewey Caron Professor Emeritus, Entomology & Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware and Affiliate Professor, Horticulture Department, Oregon State University Dr. Dewey Caron started with honey bees as teenager in Vermont and studied for his Ph.D under Roger Morse at Cornell University. Dr. Caron is a past Chairman of the Board of the Eastern Apiculture Society and a past president of the Eastern Branch Entomological Society of America. He is currently the Master Beekeeper Advisor to the Eastern Apiculture Society and advisor to the Bee Informed Partnership with which he is heavily involved.

  Dr. Caron is also a past president and current board member of the Western Apicultural Society. Dr. Caron has been involved in International Development in Panama, Central America, and Bolivia and was active in the MAAREC (Mid-Atlantic Research and Extension Consortium). Ever the educator, he has been the recipient of a number of prestigious teaching awards. Dr. Caron retired in 2009 but remains an active participant of state, local and regional bee meetings.

  Dr. Caron is actively involved the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program as an advisor and instructor. He presents over 100 talks each year about such topics as pollinating insects, bees, and natural history topics around bees and pollinating insects.

• Becky Masterman, PhD

  Rebecca Masterman, PhD Becky Masterman received a PhD studying hygienic behavior in Marla Spivak’s University of Minnesota (UMN) Bee Lab. Masterman led the University of Minnesota Bee Squad from 2013–2020 and still helps out part-time with beekeeping instruction for the Minnesota Extension Apiculture Program. She writes monthly for Bee Culture Magazine and is the co-host of the Beekeeping Today Podcast. Active in the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, she is a former board member and currently chairs their Habitat Committee. Becky manages 50 honey bee colonies in the Twin Cities area.

  Additional Information:
  Current Roles:
  Monthly writer for Bee Culture Magazine
  Co-host of Beekeeping Today Podcast
  Coordinator for MN Extension Apiculture program
  Leader of MN Honey Producers Habitat Committee
  Past Experience: Led the UMN Bee Squad from 2013–2020

• Priyadarshini Chakrabarti Basu, PhD

  Dr. Priya Chakrabarti Basu is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Entomology, Washington State University. Priya is also a courtesy faculty at Oregon State University. Priya studies the interactive impacts of multiple stressors on bees, for example poor nutrition, pesticides, climate change and diseases. She uses a wide array of multidisciplinary techniques across fields such as physiology, toxicology, functional biology, multiomics-based approaches and neuroethology to address her research questions. She is currently serving as the Secretary/Treasurer of the American Association of Professional Apiculturists, the Vice-President Elect of the PBT Section of the Entomological Society of America and the North American Chair of the nutrition taskforce for COLOSS, the international bee organization. She was also the past Chair of the Early Careers Professionals Committee of the Entomological Society of America and the Vice-President of Mississippi Entomological Association. In addition to the research community, Priya enjoys teaching and working with stakeholders, policymakers and the general community in protecting bee pollinators and raising pollinator awareness. Priya is also a children’s book author to help spread pollinator awareness among young readers. More information about her lab’s research can be found at: Priyadarshini Chakrabarti Basu, PhD

CATERING

Lake Taco

local restaurant where patrons may enjoy the authentic taste of Mexican food. Tortillas are made fresh just for you.Family-owned, where traditions meet quality. Fresh, organic, and high-quality ingredients. Organic corn fresh masa tortillas crafted with love and care.