Etienne Tardif

I am a 8th year beekeeper, currently using Paradise Honey polystyrene hives. Last winter, I experienced my 1st winter losses in 3 years due to Nosema but mainly triggered to the bees having really dark honey as their winter stores (Honeydew Honey). This was a new experience for me. I limit my hive treatment to OAV (Oxalic Acid Vapourization) when I 1st get new nucs to ensure the mites are knocked out early and some essential oil and natural extracts. I live with my wife, dog and chickens on a small piece of land, approximately 40km from Whitehorse, Yukon. It is located in native “alpine-ish” Boreal Forest with some native Yukon grasslands in the area. This habitat offers great spring to early summer forage in abundance (willow, prairie crocus, soapberries, beard-tongue, kinnikinnick, lingonberries, Labrador tea and alpine vetch to name a few), and our roadside has abundant dandelion. However, my main nectar flow relies almost exclusively on fireweed. I have also been introducing clovers, phacelia and sainfoin to my property to increase the number of frost tolerant forage.

Summary of Workshop/discussions:

-Yukon Beekeeping Overview (Very similar climate to Alaska Interior)
-Understanding your climate and area before going big
(I will discuss how I approached this problem using a weather station, a Broodminder kit and some field observations)
-Overwintering approach in the Yukon (Poly and Wood hive setups)
-Winter Prep 12 steps
Note: We have a very northern beekeeper (68deg North of Arctic Circle in Inuvik attempting to overwinter his hives)

Material I can use for a second talk:
-My root cause analysis of last year’s winter losses
-Microscopy basics – testing for Nosema spores and checking honey pollen sources

Yukon Article rev. NOV. 22 ET.doc – Google Drive

Beekeeping Basics Rev2.pdf – Google Drive

Craig Smith PhD

Craig is an Agronomist for NRCS in Alaska. Craig will speak about NRCS practices and programs that help to improve Pollinator Habitat. Goals are to help sustain healthy populations of pollinating insects, and thereby increase fruit and vegetable yields from the many crops pollinated by honeybees and other pollinators. Will discuss the NRCS partnership with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Information on how farmers, gardeners and organizations can help pollinators. Will include how plant diversity is a boon for declining bees. Also, how choosing flowering trees and crops in bee buffers and hedgerows can support bees and other pollinators. Craig previously worked two decades in Africa, Asia and Oceania, and can draw comparisons with pollinator habitat in those regions.

Admission pre-registration; $60.00

Email klm@gci.net to register for the Symposium. You can pay by check, or if you prefer I can invoice you through https://squareup.com. There will be an additional charge of $5.00 added to credit card payments to cover credit card service fees per each registration.

Purchase of admission pre-registration to 2019 Symposium entitles buyer to 7% discount off purchase of package bees, (except for early bird package bee price) for the 2019 season from “Alaska Honey Bee“.

10 percent discount for Vets, Seniors (55 years or older), Students, and Beekeeping Clubs & Association Members.

Any Questions regarding pre-registration please call me at 907-242-0588

Walk-in registration; $80.00

Can accept checks, cash, and credit cards at the door. There will be an additional charge of $5.00 added to credit card payments per each registration to cover credit card service fees through https://squareup.com.

Any Questions regarding walk-in registration please call me at 907-242-0588

Vendor registration; $140.00

There is lots of space for TFB vendors, and exhibitors to set up in the foyer of the theater if you may be interested in promoting your TFB business.

Vendor registration; Price $140.00, no discounts for business’s, includes a space limited to ten feet wide, and Event registration for two people. Vendors must be pre-approved, and pre-registered prior to this Event. All Vendor employees must also be registered for the Symposium that attend. Vendor registration fee must be paid prior to the Symposium. Vendors must have a current Alaska Business License.

To pre-register as vendor email klm@gci.net, or call 907-242-0588.