News and Events from the Cook-DuPage Beekeepers Association
Cook DuPage Beekeeping Association Announces Beginning Beekeeping Classes
The Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association and Cook County Farm Bureau have joined together to help get you started down the right path in keeping bees. Beginning on Feb. 21st, a Beginners Guide to Beekeeping will show you the joys of keeping your own bees and how to help them survive and flourish. Over the course of 6 weeks, experienced beekeepers will provide direction and instruction on the history of beekeeping, beekeeping basics, setting up your hive and installing your bees. Additionally, you will be provided with information and examples on how to manage your bees during the four seasons and the various items produced from the hive. Finally, a field day will be scheduled when the bee packages arrive to provide you with a hands on demonstration of installing bees into a hive.
During the course of the year, attendees will be invited to attend other field days and demonstrations that will provide you with an opportunity to experience the different events that occur during the beekeeping year.
Cost of the class will be $60.00 for CDBA and CCFB members and $85.00 to the general public. For further information and to register, please call 708-354-3276 during normal business hours.
Looking for Local Honey?
If you are looking for honey that provides a taste of the local area, look no farther than the Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association. A listing of members who are selling honey and hive related products generated from their hives in the area is just a click away. The Local Honey Provider listing can be accessed by clicking here.
Oak Park Reverses Bee Ban
It’s official, the Village of Oak Park has voted to reverse the ban on beekeeping. On December 5th, the Village Board voted to implement a beekeeping ordinance and associated regulations. For further information on the year long journey to get to this point, please click here.
Cook-DuPage Beekeepers Mentoring Get Together
The next mentoring get together will be held on Sunday February 5th at 8:00 am. The informal get togethers meet at the York Rd. McDonalds in Hinsdale. It’s a good opportunity to meet with other beekeepers in the area to “Talk Bees” and share some knowledge over a cup of coffee and an Egg McMuffin. We have been seeing a steady increase in the attendance of the Monthly Mentoring Meetings. For further information and directions, visit the Calendar of Events page.
Hanover Park Apiary Up and Running
The Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association has installed two hives at the newly formed Hanover Park Apiary in western Cook County. The apiary is believed to be the first community apiary open to residents of the village and interested persons who would like to keep bees. Placed on a retired village pumping station owned by the village, the secured facility is expected to host up to twenty hives on the property. For further information and to follow the CDBA hives at the facility, click here.
For those interested in placing and maintaining a hive at the Apiary, please contact the Hanover Park Director of Public Works, Howard Killian at 630-823-5700 for further information and an application. If Howard isn’t available, please leave a message and someone will return your call. As an FYI, there is a limit of 2 hives per household.
Cook DuPage Beekeepers Found on FaceBook
The Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association is on FaceBook. Now you can show your friends and family that you support the CDBA and join in on discussions and conversations, get meeting notices and other fun stuff through the Facebook web site. To access, simply look up Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association and “become a fan”.
The CDBA Wants You! Volunteer now!
One of the best ways of developing friendships and a network of beekeeping buddies is by lending a helping hand to the Cook – DuPage Beekeepers Association. Not only will you be helping the organization promote the general interests of bee culture and production and use of honey and other apiary products, you will be working and building friendships with people who share a common interest.
The association is always looking for interested individuals on the various standing and special committees that are necessary to keep the it going. If you are interested in helping, or would like further information on any of the committees, please either fill out the form below and bring it to our next meeting, or complete the information on line by clicking here and completing the on line form.