by Dewey M. Caron, Communications and Content Specialist for the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program Bees have a power line problem Honey bees can detect and apparently respond to airborne electric fields. Overhead electric transmission lines have static electricity emissions, something humans might be able to feel with body hairs. A research project in England created … Read more
American Beekeeping Federation Award Opportunity The American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) is offering an award for up to $2,000 to a beekeeper with a practical beekeeping idea that is relevant to other beekeepers. The $2,000 will be split in the case more than one awardee is chosen. We are looking to fund one or more individuals that have … Read more
by Dewey M. Caron, Communications and Content Specialist for the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program The birds and the bees An estimated 3,600 species of wild bees serve as pollinators in the U.S. We believe, like many other populations of insects (and birds), bee populations are in decline. By combining abundant, largely citizen science gathered data, … Read more
By Julie O’Connor and Heike Williams In Memoriam Naomi Price 1950 – 2025 The Central Oregon beekeeping community lost Naomi Price, a friend, teacher and colleague. Naomi who kept bees in long hives due to being bound to a wheelchair cared passionately about bees and, therefore, about beekeeping. She focused on how bees function and what … Read more
by Dewey M. Caron, Communications and Content Specialist for the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program Mind Your Beeswax For Earth Day last month Dadant presented a Deep Dive into Beeswax – science and uses. Beeswax is one of nature’s most fascinating creations, with a history stretching back thousands of years. Used by ancient civilizations for everything … Read more
by Dewey M. Caron, Communications and Content Specialist for the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program Blueberry study Priyadarshini Chakrabarti Basu, Lauren Baugus, Ethan Eaton, Nathalie A. Steinhauer & Ramesh Sagili 2025. Pollen Production and Nutrient Composition in Two Northern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars: Implications for Pollinator Nutrition. Agriculture 15(5):461 DOI: 10.3390/agriculture15050461 Abstract Specialty crops like blueberries depend … Read more
by Dewey M. Caron, Communications and Content Specialist for the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program OMB Journey Student Profile – Alex Alexander One item the OMB Advisory Committee has suggested is that we advertise and tell the stories of Master Beekeeping program participants as a recruiting tool to enroll more Getting Started and Apprentice students in … Read more
by Dewey M. Caron, Communications and Content Specialist for the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program How are your colonies wintering? The annual PNWsurvey is now open. https://pnwhoneybeesurvey.com/ (click on !Take the Survey!). It extends mid-March through April. After you have had a chance to open your colonies and assess your winter success, please take the time … Read more
Remembering Sara Miller 1952 to 2024 The day after Christmas Sara Miller passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. With her passing, the Central Oregon branch of the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program lost a dedicated mentor, instructor and regional representative. Sara got into beekeeping when her husband wanted a beehive. He wasn’t the … Read more
As commercial beekeepers in the USA inspect their bees after winter in preparation to transport over 90% of the nation’s managed honey bees to pollinate California almonds, they are discovering alarming colony losses. These losses are severe, broad, and may impact food security through inadequate pollination services. Survey results are still accumulating (deadline was Feb … Read more