Join us for our monthly gathering to connect, learn, and share in our passion for beekeeping. Here’s what we have planned:

Welcome & Club Business

• President’s Welcome: A brief welcome and overview of the meeting’s agenda.
• Treasurer’s Report: Update on the club’s finances.
• Membership Report: News and updates on our club membership.
• Club News: Announcements and important news items.

Speaker Presentation

Impacts of Systemic Pesticide Exposure On Bees: A Case Study from Nebraska That’s Affecting Us All

Persistent losses of honey bee colonies across multiple University of Nebraska-Lincoln research apiaries in Mead, NE and investigations into bee losses uncovered a novel practice of disposing surplus outdated and pesticide-treated crop seeds through ethanol production. The improper disposal practice caused unprecedented pesticide exposure risk and contamination in the surrounding air, water, soil, and plants. Exposed colonies have had disruptions in worker behaviors and queen rearing capacity. Furthermore, adverse impacts may linger with contaminated comb and food stores. This isolated problem has provided unique opportunities to examine the short and long-term ecological, environmental, and human health impacts through a collaborative One Health systems approach which has generated more awareness and stimulated legislative policy changes across the US.

Dr. Judy Wu-Smart (Associate Professor & Extension Specialist) received her MS at Washington State University under the advisement of Drs. Steve Sheppard and Carol Anelli and a PhD from University of Minnesota with Dr. Marla Spivak. She has been the director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bee Lab since 2015. At UNL, she and her team have been developing a robust pollinator health program for the Midwest region to help beekeepers, scientists, policy makers, and land managers understand the underlying stressors challenging bee health, such as improper management of pests and diseases and exposure to pesticides. Community engagement and promoting science literacy around these complicated farm-to-table issues are also key components of our research and extension education programs.

To find more about our programs and training opportunities visit https://entomology.unl.edu/bee-lab and https://gpmb.unl.edu/ or follow us on Facebook. 

Break & Door Prizes

Take a moment to stretch your legs, grab a refreshment, and participate in our raffle. It’s a great chance to mingle with fellow members and win some beekeeping goodies!

What’s Happening In The Hive

An engaging discussion on current beekeeping activities, what to expect in your hives this time of year, and tips for managing your bees effectively.

Doors open at 12:30 PM, Meeting starts at 1:00 PM