NBBA AGM EVENT – MARCH 1st and 2nd, 2024
2024 NBBA AGM Registration Form…
We will be holding our AGM this year on March 1st and 2nd at the Windgate Hotel in Dieppe.
This will be a change of venue from last year and we are looking forward to them hosting our AGM there. There are rooms put aside for those who wish to stay at the hotel and we have a rate for members of the NBBA Inc. Call the front desk at 1-506-830-8330 and identify yourself as a NBBA Member and you will receive the reduced rate. You have until Feb 2nd to get the reduced rate.
We are just working out the details and will be finalizing them shortly. The registration form will be posted to our web site in the next few days and we have kept the registration fees at $50 for NBBA Members and $60 for non-members. We appreciate the support that we get from government and industry and because of them we are able to keep our fees at a reasonable rate.
I am also happy to announce to you that Ian Steppler of A Canadian Beekeeper’s Blog will be our keynote speaker. I have included a short bio on Ian below.
STEPPLER HONEY APIARY
Since Ian bought his first 4 hives 21 years ago, he has dedicated his life passion towards beekeeping. Ian credits the current standing of his apiary to others on whom he has leaned on over the years to help guide him through many management, logistical and husbandry issues.
Ian is a big believer in paying-it-forward which motivates him to share his successes and failures with others.
Currently, Ian manages the farm’s 1500 honey bee operation which consists of 1200 full sized colonies operated alongside a 400 hive nuc operation. Ian has completely transformed his colony management into a self-sustaining operating model through the use of a detailed queen rearing / nuc building program. By using the latest progressive management practices, Ian has adopted alternative methods to manage the apiary. Ian uses lifting devices and escape boards to promote a non-evasive strategy to clear the bees from the honey supers which also completely eliminates the need to lift heavy honey boxes.
Ian uses pallets, forklifts and streamlined extraction equipment to process 250,000 – 300,000 pounds of honey annually. To manage the harsh Canadian winters, Ian winters his apiary in a Canadian style winter shed where the bees stay sheltered for 5 ½ months until set back out in spring.
Ian’s focus on bee behaviour and his drive to push the boundaries of his honey bee stock has enabled an interesting and unique operating style which has truly made his operation stand out from the rest.
Stay tuned for more info to follow.
Looking forward to seeing all of you at the AGM
Brian
Brian M. Pond
(506) 381-7385
Secretary/Treasurer
New Brunswick Beekeepers Association Inc.