AABA September 19, 2023 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

6:39 PM- Rob Holiday Called meeting to order and welcomed new members.

6:41 PM- Richard Trevino provided the Treasurer’s report.

  • $ 21,609.91 current balance
  • $ 10,598.22 revenue
  • $ 9,088.51 expenses
  • $ 1,440.41 net profit

6:43 PM Heather Wilk provided membership status report

  • 161 paid memberships
  • $15 for individuals/family

6:45 PM Honey Fest Saturday September 23rd (SABOT) Speakers Ferhat Ozturk & Charlie Agar

  • Honey extraction demonstration by AABA volunteers

6:49 PM Tamara Rodeo Committee Volunteers (Members only, 1st meeting September 29th)

6:50 PM Nomination Committee (Weldon Riggs) Please consider serving as an officer.

6:52 PM AABA Club By-laws update and revision ongoing.

6:55 PM Cecil Parish, San Antonio Urban Beekeeper- has queens available (10)

6:56- PM Presentation Top Bar Hive Management

The what, the why, the pros, cons & preferences

Brandon Feherenkamp, Owner, Austin Bees

Presentation Recap-

– Two main types of Top Bar Hives Tanzanian and Kenyan

– Bees are calmer

– No heavy lifting involved

– Better insulation

– Better for foundationless configuration w/ less foundation contamination

Non negotiables for a top bar hives include:

– Critical that bars are 1 3/8” width

– Size around 30 bars

– Beveled edges where the bars contact the main body”

– Top bar length 17”- 20” 19” being ideal

– Slanted sides w/120 degree sides have significantly less attachments

– Hives must have a lid w/ an inch or so of dead air space

– Entrances at both ends will allow splits and other tricks

– Hive must be level all around

– Remove boards laterally

– Consider working a top bar with a welding rod

– A Window in any hive is no substitute for an inspection

8:03 PM Honey Judging Weldon Riggs, Dave Tuttle, & Dave Grinnan

  • AABA Competition prepares members for State Competition in November
  • Texas Beekeepers Association Annual Conference 2023

November 2–4 Temple, Texas
Registration $125 TBA members/ $160 non-members

Honey Judging Results:

 

Lite Amber Score Moisture

    1. Glenn Kveton 89.5 17%
    2. Robin Ducharne 72 17.5%

Amber Category-

    1. Gene Barta 85.5 16.5%
    2. Colby McClelland 77 16.8%

Dark Honey-

    1. Rick Fink 79 16.5%
    2. Gene Barta 67 16.5%
    3. Cude Gillespie 63 14.5%

Black Jar- (flavor only)

    1. Glenn Kveton
    2. Colby McClelland

Best Medicinal Honey Rick Fink

8:18 Next Meeting November 13, 2023 (note change)

  • Thanksgiving Dinner (new pricing from RK Group may require a small charge)
  • AABA Officers elections held, please consider serving (see Rob or Weldon)

8:20 Honey Fest details available on the AABA website

8:22 PM Meeting Adjourned