State beekeeping summit to be held at Red Apple Farm

State beekeeping summit to be held at Red Apple Farm
Kerry O'Brien News Staff Writer      PHILLIPSTON — Members of the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association will be discussing creating pollination relationships with farmers, and other issues concerning beekeeping, during a semi-annual meeting being held at Red Apple Farm on Saturday.  “There are a lot of issues with bees dying off, and that has had a big impact on agricultural crops,” said association president Dan Conlon. “Not all beekeepers provide pollination services, and we’d like to encourage more smaller operations to get involved, so there’s going to be a discussion on how to do it why to do it.” The state beekeepers association includes the associations of roughly 10 counties. Worcester County is the largest — with approximately 400 members — and has the largest farming economy.  “Worcester County is the biggest agricultural county in the state, so there plenty of places bees are necessary,” Mr. Conlon said.  At 72, the Worcester County Beekeeping Association is also said to be the oldest in the country. The role of the associations is to provide guidance and resources to beekeepers, most of who are novices.  “The majority are hobbyists,” Mr. Conlon said. “Ninety-five percent in the country are backyard beekeepers.” While the group has usually held four meetings per year, Mr. Conlon said the fall meeting is a time to focus on the discussion of issues concerning the craft. During the event, Mr. Conlon will also officially hand the presidency of the association off to Franklin County Beekeeping Association member Rick Reault. Having the event at the Red Apple Farm provides a visual example for the topic of pollinating crops, as Mr. Conlon said he brings his bees to the farm. “It makes a good point about pollination, and I appreciate what (farm owner Al Rose has) done with the business doing agricultural-tourism,” he said. “He’s a good example for beekeepers to see — I consider him a progressive farmer.” Arrangements for farmers to utilize domesticated honeybees are being discussed. Mr. Conlon said there are several factors currently endangering bees locally and globally.  Since the 1990s, the introduction of a parasite that kills the bees has been the main threat to their survival. Without the native bees, domesticated honeybees are becoming less genetically diverse and thus weakened. A dwindling habitat is also a factor.  “Alone, all those things are a problem. In combination, they’re an even worse problem,” Mr. Conlon said.  While education and discussion are the main purposes of Saturday’s meeting, the association will also be conducting a best beeswax and honey contest, and anyone who is interested in beekeeping is welcome.  “People who come that aren’t beekeepers are always amazed because they had no idea this was going on with this type of business,” Mr. Conlon said. The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the farm, located on Highland Avenue.