Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Press release here:
The Western North Carolina Center for Honey Bee Research in conjunction with Buncombe County Beekeepers invites you to a little late Fall color with an all-day honeybee extravaganza on Saturday November 13, 2010 at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, NC. “New Frontiers in Beekeeping” will present cutting-edge perspectives from four of the field’s premier experts. See WNCBees.org for more information.
Marla Spivak, renowned Entomologist at the University of Minnesota will talk about “Benefits of Propolis to Bees” and answer questions about her travels and research. Dr. Spivak is the originator of the Minnesota Hygienic line of mite resistant stock
Jamie Ellis heads Extension research for the state of Florida and is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida at Gainesville. Dr. Ellis oversees a myriad of research projects and will be “Addressing the Plight of the Honeybee.” Florida is home to many large scale migratory operations and sits at the cross-roads of the most challenging questions facing beekeepers today.
Debbie Delaney has recently taken the place of Dewey Caron at the University of Delaware, where she continues to study the genetic diversity of our bees. Dr. Delaney has been instrumental in conducting surveys of the commercial queen stock on both sides of the Mississippi and is completing a sampling of feral populations along the Eastern Seaboard. She will discuss “The Secret Lives of Bees in Trees” and tell us a little about her future research.
Jay Evans‘ work on the possible links between viruses and CCD has made the news in several recent publications. He is a prominent Research Scientist at the USDA ARS laboratory at Beltsville, Maryland and will be asking “Can Genomics Lead to Healthier Bees?” He will explain what “genomics” are and shed some light on the important work being done at our national honeybee labs.
The program begins at 9:30 AM and finishes at 5 PM. Lunch is “on your own” but there are many dining establishments within easy driving distance. Seating is limited. Cost is $35 per person and pre-registration is required. Register through www.wncbees.org. Sorry, no refunds.
Asheville is a progressive town at the center of the southern Appalachians, with numerous diversions – so whether you come for the day or make it a weekend – it will be a memorable occasion. See you there!
