POTSDAM, N.Y. — Members of the Local Living Venture’s Bees & Beekeeping group, which meets monthly in Canton on an informal basis, will be offering a workshop on techniques for “Wrapping Your Hives for Winter,” along with an optional session of touring a Slovenian-style bee house, to follow.
Slovenian beekeeping is a method of keeping bees in houses, as is done in many parts of Europe. The bee house has several advantages, as it doesn’t require the sometimes heavy lifting needed with standard hives, and a beekeeper can work inside while protected from the sun, wind and even rain.
For those who have not invested in the Slovenian idea of beekeeping, wrapping the bee hive boxes for winter is very important to retain heat, while allowing moisture to escape.
Longtime beekeeper Luke Martin will host the first session from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Martin’s Needham Road Farm Standoutside of Potsdam. Those who wish to can then caravan to the home of another adept beekeeper, Sandy von Allmen in Norfolk, to tour her Slovenian hive set-up.
The hands-on workshop will take place on Saturday, November 10. Participants will meet at the Martin’s Produce farm stand location at 11 Needham Road, Potsdam, NY, just 4.5 miles east of the Village of Potsdam via U.S. Rt. 11B.
During this hands-on session, Martin will will share practical knowledge about successful techniques for wrapping bee hives for the winter. He will share ways of dealing with radiant heat and preventing deadly condensation in the hive, using easily obtainable materials to wrap the hive.
This workshop will specifically address the concern for proper circulation to prevent killing condensation while over-wintering. It is important that the top of the hive be allowed to “breathe,” and preferred methods and materials will be shared.
Protective bee head gear or more is suggested, and bringing extra gear to share is appreciated. The bees aren’t likely to be active but it’s better to be prepared.
There is a suggested donation for this unique event of $17 general public, $10 Bee Group Member, $30 for a couple, $7 student donation. Donations are free-will, but requested to cover overhead expenses and to benefit Local Living Venture workshop creation.
Reservations for this event are not required, but are appreciated at LocalLivingVenture@gmail.com or call (315) 347-4223 with the name of the event, your phone number(s), email address, and the number in your party. Registered attendees will receive an email confirmation. Last minute “walk-in’s” are welcomed also but are requested to arrive 15 minutes early to get registered.
This workshop will be held outdoors, rain or shine, partially under cover but not entirely, so participants should dress accordingly in sturdy shoes and a jacket. Bring drinking water, a note pad, and your questions.
Many beekeeping resources can be found online on the LLV Bee webpage at  bit.ly/beeresources. Other workshops of interest can be found at bit.ly/LLVevents.
The Local Living Venture works to create a more capable community by sharing practical knowledge and skills with people in the St. Lawrence River Valley and Adirondack region. They fulfill this mission by coordinating Resourceful Living Skills Workshops that promote traditional rural and simple living skills, with the motto “Sharing Knowledge from the Past – Building Skills for the Future.”
–Local Living Venture
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