Home - Chester County Beekeepers Association

The Objectives of the Association:

To assist members in the art and science of beekeeping, including sharing effective techniques, coping with problems, meeting challenges, and supporting each other in our efforts; To educate members about and encourage compliance with laws pertaining to beekeeping, including inspection and suppression of contagious diseases among honey bees; To promulgate information to the public about beekeeping and the valuable role of honey bees in nature and agriculture; To encourage more people to become involved in beekeeping.

Want to become a 2021 CCBA Officer, Committee Lead, or Committee Co-Lead?

Fill out this survey by December 1st to be considered for a leadership position within the CCBA.
We need you!!!

2021 Leadership

Bee Chat Survey!

Thank you
Kimberton Whole Foods
Over $5,000 generous donation

2020 Honey Survey Results
(112 CCBA Member Surveys)

CC Survivor Queen Project: Report Card

November Colony Management

1. Feed Colonies: bees will not take liquid feed when when temps drop less than 50 degrees. Options for food include fondant, candy, or granulated sugar above the cluster.

2. Mouse Guards: use 1/4 hardware cloth or metal mouse guards to prevent mice from finding a new winter home.

3. Top insulation: a 3/4 - 2 inch piece of insulation board between the inner cover and outer cover keeps the cluster warm and dry for the winter.

4. Top Entrance/Ventilation: flip the inner cover over so the notch in down or put a shim with a 5/8 inch hole at the top of the hive.

5. Wind Breaks: protect your hive from the northern and westerly winter winds. Close off the screened bottoms with white boards if in a windy location.

Apprentice and Mentoring Programs

One of the best ways to learn how best to keep your bees alive is to work with someone who has done it over many seasons. The CCBA has 2 programs that are available to help you achieve sustainability.

The Apprentice Program
(Enroll now for program to begin March 2021...go to storefront, apprentice program and purchase the apprentice program purpose to secure your spot. Program fee to be paid when program starts next March)

If you are a new beekeeper who is thinking about getting bees or who has not been able to overwinter a hive, the apprentice program maybe right for you. You will be paired up with an experienced beekeeper (teacher) who you will work with at the teacher's apiary twice a month for an entire bee season. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the apprentice will get a CCBA nuc the following spring. The cost for this program is $120.

The Mentoring Program

If you are looking for some intermittent advice from an experienced beekeeper, the mentoring program maybe right for you. Have someone who will answer your questions or may stop out at your apiary to see what is going on. This program does not have a cost and there is no incentives from the CCBA for participation.

Walt and Kathy are the leads of both the apprentice and the mentoring program. If you are interested in being either an apprentice or teacher in the apprentice program or mentor or mentee in the mentoring program.

Email Walt Talunas: wtalunas@gmail.com

Friday Night Bee Chat
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87468271526
Meeting ID: 874 6827 1526

Passcode now required! Check email from Tina on 10/2 for passcode. If you get stuck text or call George at 610-283-8092