Past Webinars

Upcoming webinars

To receive updates of upcoming webinars, sign up for MSU's Pollinators and Pollination Event's Newsletter and visit our webinars webpage.

Videos and webinar recordings

Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube Channel

Past webinars

Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours: July 13th

• Links shared July 13th webinar:
  • Michigan Pollinator Initiative website
  • MSU Extension Pollinators & Pollination events - includes upcoming workshops & webinars
  • Sign up for MSU Extension's "Pollinators & Pollination" news digest
  • Project Apis m.: 2022 Honey Bee Nutrition Research Webinar Registration
  • Michigan Honey Festival
  • Find a beekeeping club in Michigan
  • Sign up for newsletters from Michigan Beekeepers' Association's quarterly newsletter
  • Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
  • MSU Honey Bees Facebook page
  • Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook page
  • Questions? Ask Extension Form
  • Help! I need a queen! — The Sand Hill (sandhillbees.com)
  • Keep Bees Alive - varroa resources

Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours: June 1st

• Links shared in June 1st webinar:
  • Keep Bees Alive - varroa resources
  • Help! I need a queen! — The Sand Hill (sandhillbees.com)
  • Questions? Ask Extension Form
  • Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook page
  • MSU Honey Bees Facebook page
  • Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
  • Sign up for newsletters from Michigan Beekeepers' Association's quarterly newsletter
  • Find a beekeeping club in Michigan
  • Sign up for MSU Extension's "Pollinators & Pollination" news digest
  • MSU Extension Pollinators & Pollination events - includes upcoming workshops & webinars
  • Michigan Pollinator Initiative website

Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours: May 4th

Links shared in May 4th webinar:

• Resources & staying connected
  • Spring 2022 Mite-A-Thon
  • Swarm Removal Form from  Michigan Beekeepers Association: sign up to be listed as someone interested in collecting honey bee swarms
  • Swarm Removal Map from Michigan Beekeepers Association
  • Michigan Bee Clubs – Michigan Beekeepers Association
  • Questions? Ask Extension Form
  • Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook page
  • MSU Honey Bees Facebook page
  • Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
  • Sign up for newsletters from Michigan Beekeepers' Association's quarterly newsletter
  • Find a beekeeping club in Michigan
  • Sign up for MSU Extension's "Pollinators & Pollination" news digest
  • Michigan Pollinator Initiative website
  • Spring feeding
    • Feeding honey bees webpage
  • Installing new colonies
    • Beginning beekeeping: installing a nuc video
    • Beginning beekeeping: installing a package video
  • Getting ready for splits
    • Don't be surprised by swarms article
    • Established colonies: preparing for swarm season recorded webinar video
  • Managing varroa
    • Keep Bees Alive webpage

Michigan Beekeeping Office Hours: April 13th

• Links shared in April 13th webinar
  • Resources & staying connected
    • Michigan Pollinator Initiative website
    • Sign up for MSU Extension's "Pollinators & Pollination" news digest
    • Starting and keeping bees in Michigan: rules & regulations webpage
    • Find a beekeeping club in Michigan
    • Sign up for newsletters from Michigan Beekeepers' Association's quarterly newsletter
    • Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
    • MSU Honey Bees Facebook page
    • Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook page
  • Bee Informed Partnership’s Annual Loss and Management Survey
  • Dealing with deadouts
    • Dealing with deadouts article
  • Spring feeding
    • Feeding honey bees webpage
  • Installing new colonies
    • Beginning beekeeping: installing a nuc video
    • Beginning beekeeping: installing a package video
  • Getting ready for splits
    • Don't be surprised by swarms article
    • Established colonies: preparing for swarm season recorded webinar video
  • Managing varroa
    • Keep Bees Alive webpage

Flowering Bee Lawns
Tuesday, April 19th at 7pm Eastern:
Flowering Bee Lawns with James Wolfin webinar recording

Michigan Beekeepers' Association and Michigan State University Extension Virtual Fall Beekeeping Conference, 10/22/21-10/23/21

Michigan Beekeeping Webinar August 2021: Jennifer's Apiary Vacation Slideshow with Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda
Monday, August 16th at 7:00pm Eastern
References for Dr. Tsuruda’s presentation for MSU Extension on Aug 16, 2021:

• Is the Brood Pattern within a Honey Bee Colony a Reliable Indicator of Queen Quality?,Lee et al. (2019) Insects 10(1):12
• Varroa destructor feeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and not hemolymph, Ramsey et al. (2019) PNAS 116(5):1792
• The Dynamics of Deformed Wing Virus Concentration and Host Defensive Gene Expression after Varroa Mite Parasitism in Honey Bees, Apis mellifera, Zhao et al. (2019) Insects 10(1):16
• Honey Bee Queens and Virus Infections, Amiri et al. (2020) Viruses 12(3):322

Helpful links mentioned in the webinar:

• MSU beekeepers webpage
• Ask Extension form
• Varroa resources
• Agrability Toolbox: Assistive Technology Database

Michigan Beekeeping Webinar July 2021: Other Pests and Diseases of the Honey Bee with Mark Dykes 
Monday, July 12th at 7:00pm Eastern

Native bees of Michigan: How to identify and support our native pollinators with Dr. Rebecca Tonietto
Thursday, June 17th, 7:00pm Eastern

Michigan Beekeeping Webinar June 2021: Honey Bee Hygienic Behavior and Testing with Anne Marie Fauvel
Monday, June 14th at 7:00pm Eastern

• This webinar was not recorded, but you can view a previously recorded version of this presentation: Honey Bee Hygienic Behavior Testing

Varroa Update with Kalamazoo Bee Club
Wednesday, June 9th at 7:00pm Eastern
This webinar was not recorded.
Resources:

• Ask Extension form for questions
• Michigan State University Extension News newsletter (select "Pollinators & Pollination")
• Facebook pages
  • Michigan State University Beekeeping Facebook Page
  • Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook Page
  • Heroes to Hives Facebook Page
• Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
• MSU Bee Blog
• Michigan Beekeepers Association
  • Find a bee club in Michigan
  • Michigan Beekeepers' Association Newsletter
• Academic papers:
  • Varroa destructor feeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and not hemolymph by Ramsey et al.
  • Accelerated Varroa destructor population growth in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies is associated with visitation from non-natal bees by Kulhanek et al.
  • Reproductive success of the parasitic mite (Varroa destructor) is lower in honeybee colonies that target infested cells with recapping by Oddie et al.
  • Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies by Han et al.
    • Fungus fights mites that harm honey bees from WSU Insider
• Bee Informed Partnership Sentinel Apiary report for MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center
• Bee Informed Partnership Sentinel Apiary report for MSU Entomology Field Research, MSU Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, MSU Southwest Michigan Research & Extension Center
• Bee Informed Partnership
• MiteCheck
• Honey Bee Health Coalition Tools for Varroa Management Guide
• Honey Bee Health Coalition Varroa Management Decision Tool
• KeepBeesAlive.org - varroa related resources from MSU Apiculture Team

Horticulture Café: Pesticide Use for Home Gardeners
Wednesday, May 26th, 6:00pm Eastern

Michigan Beekeeping Webinar May 2021: Colony Inspections through the Seasons with Dr. Katie Lee
Monday, May 24th, 7:00pm Eastern
Thank you to Battle Creek Bee Club for sponsoring and co-hosting the webinar. This webinar was not recorded.

Resources:

• Staying connected
  • Ask Extension form for questions
  • Michigan State University Extension News newsletter (select "Pollinators & Pollination")
  • Facebook pages
    • Michigan State University Beekeeping Facebook Page
    • Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook Page
    • Heroes to Hives Facebook Page
  • Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
  • MSU Bee Blog
  • Michigan Beekeepers Association
    • Find a bee club in Michigan
    • Michigan Beekeepers' Association Newsletter
• Q&A
  • Starting a beekeeping and honey business:
    • Resources for Beekeepers 
    • MSU Extension Product Center
    • LARA - MI Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
    • Starting and Keeping Bees in Michigan: Rules and Regulations
  • Swarms
    • Swarm Removal Map from Michigan Beekeepers' Association
  • Boosting immunity in honey bees:
    • Natural Product Medicines for Honey Bees: Perspective and Protocols
    • Directed evolution of Metarhizium fungus improves its biocontrol efficacy against Varroa mites in honey bee colonies

Michigan Beekeeping Webinar April 2021: Bee Plants with Dr. Zachary Huang

The buzz about native bees: The multiple interacting factors that contribute to recent native bee declines with Dr. Michelle Fearon

So You Want to Save the Bees? Community Science Projects to Get Involved with Dr. Rufus Isaacs

Michigan Beekeepers' Association Virtual Spring Conference: evenings of March 3^rd-5^th and all day on Saturday, March 6^{th -} Michigan State University Extension & You:

• Ask Extension: for asking questions about beekeeping, home gardening, etc.
• MSU Apiculture Extension Program Update -  Ana Heck
  • Resources & staying connected:
    • Michigan Pollinator Initiative
    • Michigan Pollinator Initiative resources for beekeepers
    • Ask Extension form for Michigan Pollinator Initiative
    • Sign up for Michigan State University Extension News for email updates (select "Pollinators & Pollination")
    • Facebook pages
      • Michigan State University Beekeeping Facebook Page
      • Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook Page
      • Heroes to Hives Facebook Page
    • Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
    • MSU Bee Blog
    • Michigan Beekeepers' Association Newsletter
    • Find a bee club in Michigan
    • Starting and Keeping Bees in Michigan: Rules & Regulations (updated March 2021)
  • Michigan Managed Pollinator Protection Plan
    • MSU's work on the Michigan Managed Pollinator Protection Plan
    • Blueberry Pollinator Stewardship Guide
    • National Managed Pollinator Protection Plans (MP3) Working Group
    • Pollinator Champions: online course about pollinators
    • Bee Aware brochure
    • La Cosecha program
    • Honey Bee Health Coalition Bee Integrated Demonstration Project
    • Heroes to Hives
    • IPM4Bees videos on YouTube
  • Supporting our work
    • Adopt-A-Bee: fundraiser for MSU Extension Apiculture programming that will send someone you choose a postcard and letter
    • Giving to Michigan Pollinator Initiative
    • Heroes to Hives crowd funding campaign
  • Books by/about Eva Crane (not a comprehensive list):
    • The Archeology of Beekeeping, Duckworth, 1983
    • Bees and Beekeeping: Science, Practice and World Resources, Heinemann-Newnes, 1990.
    • Eva Crane: Bee Scientist, 1912-2007. Eds: Penelope Walker and Richard Jones, IBRA, 2008.
    • Making a Bee-line, My Journeys in 60 Counties, 1949-2000, IBRA, 2003
    • The Rock Art of Honey Hunters, IBRA, 2001
    • The World History of Beekeeping and honey Hunting , Routledge, 1999.
  • Books by Tammy Horn Potter:
    • Flower Power: Establishing Pollinator Habitat by Tammy Horn Potter
    • Beeconomy: What Women and Bees Can Teach Us about Local Trade and the Global Market by Tammy Horn
    • Bees in America: How the Honey Bee Shaped a Nation by Tammy Horn
• Planting for Pollinators - Isabel Branstrom & Rebecca Finneran
  • Smart Gardening for Pollinators tip sheets
• MSU Product Center - Diane Longanbach
  • Presentation slides
  • FDA Food Law and More
  • MDARD Food Establishment Licensing
  • MDARD Food Labeling Guide
  • MSU Product Center
• MSU Extension Farm Business Resources - Florencia Colella
  • Resources for beginning farmers: You may find a compendium of resources for farm startups here: bit.ly/startfarm, including business plan writing, business structures, funding, putting your financials in order, and more.
  • General recordkeeping resources discussed during the webinar:* If you are not ready to use an accounting software yet, but want to take control over your finances, spreadsheets are a great way to do that. Here are several options, from paper to computer-based, and for varying degrees of proficiency.
    • The Farm Records Book for Management is available online free of charge by just following this link: bit.ly/farmrecordsbook. You can buy a paper version at your local Extension office, or purchase it online from the MSU Extension Bookstore at shop.msu.edu.
    • Here are other sample recordkeeping spreadsheets you may want to look at as examples of what you could do:
      • bit.ly/farmcashtrack
      • bit.ly/2En5ymu
      • bit.ly/34tIj4J
      • bit.ly/3ibqkFc
    • If you are looking into other free resources such as Mint, Toshl or Wave, let Florencia Colella know and she will share what I know about them.
    • *If you are considering more solid accounting software options, Florencia Colella suggests you check out MSU's Telfarm program at canr.msu.edu/telfarm. They review your Quickbooks or PC Mars accounting records to make sure you haven't made any mistakes, keep track of depreciation, store a backup of your records in case you run into computer problems, and an MSU Extension Farm Business Management educator does a year-end tax estimation for you.
    • For more information:
      • To schedule a one-on-one meeting with Florencia Colella go to bit.ly/saveatime
      • To share ideas and suggestions for future programs with me go to bit.ly/needs-suggestions
      • To browse Florencia Colella's content: canr.msu.edu/resources/table-of-content
      • Florencia Colella would like to keep you in her mailing list so she can send you future farm business management event notices, updates to the materials shared during the webinar, answers to common questions, and other useful educational materials. If you want, you may sign up here. You may find a sample of my latest newsletter here: bit.ly/florenciaprojects.
• Adam Ingrao: Heroes to Hives
  • Heroes to Hives: MSU Extension beekeeping program for military veterans, active duty, and dependents
  • Heroes to Hives Facebook Page

MSU Extension Tollgate Farm’s Evening in the Garden, Getting Started with Beekeeping 2/25/2021

MI Ag Ideas to Grow With Conference 2/19/2021

Kalamazoo Bee Club Bee School 2/20/2021 

Michigan Beekeeping Q&A Webinar 10/29/2020
Thursday, October 29th at 7pm Eastern
The MSU Apiculture Team will host a questions and answers webinar for Michigan beekeepers. You must register in advance for the webinar. Please note that the registration process has changed from previous webinars. You may submit beekeeping questions prior to the webinar using our online form.

Resources

• eXtension Ask an Expert: for asking questions about beekeeping, home gardening, etc.
• Webinars: webpage and Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
• Heroes to Hives: MSU Extension beekeeping program for military veterans, active duty, and dependents
• Pollinator Champions: online course about pollinators
• Facebook pages
  • Michigan State University Beekeeping Facebook Page
  • Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook Page
  • Heroes to Hives Facebook Page
• Beekeeping Education and Support Fund: Crowd funding campaign for MSU apiculture programs
• Adopt-A-Bee: fundraiser for MSU Extension Apiculture programming that will send someone you choose a postcard and letter
• American Honey Producers Association Video Conference, December 3rd & 4th, 2020
• Two Bees in a Podcast: beekeeping podcast from the University of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab
• List of Recommended Resources for Beekeepers from MSU Extension Apiculture Team
• Varroa related resources
• Oxalic acid label (for the dribble method, scroll down to "solution method")
• What Robbing Looks Like blog post from Bee Informed Partnership

Michigan Beekeepers' Association Virtual Conference 10/17/2020

Resources:

• eXtension Ask an Expert: for asking questions about beekeeping, home gardening, etc.
• MSU press release about apiculture positions
• Beekeeping Education and Support Fund: Crowd funding campaign for MSU apiculture programs
• Webinars: webpage and Michigan State University Beekeeping YouTube channel
• Heroes to Hives: MSU Extension beekeeping program for military veterans, active duty, and dependents
• Michigan Managed Pollinator Protection Plan
• Bee Aware brochure about pesticide use for home gardens
• Pollinator Champions: online course about pollinators
• Michigan Beekeeping Rules & Regulations
• Gardening for Pollinators: SMART Gardening for Pollinators, pollinator gardens
• Michigan State University Beekeeping Facebook Page
• Michigan Pollinator Initiative Facebook Page
• Heroes to Hives Facebook Page
• MSU Extension Resources: MSU Product Center, Farm Management, Farm Stress, SMART Gardening
• How You Can Help: citizen science projects, donate

Michigan Beekeeping Q&A Webinar 9/30/2020

Watch an unedited version of the webinar on our Facebook page (you will have to wait or skip ahead to find the point at which the webinar begins).

Resources:

• MSU Apiculture Resources:
  • Ask a beekeeping question through eXtension Ask an Expert
  • Resources for Beekeepers
  • Facebook pages:
    • Michigan State University Honey Bees
    • Heroes to Hives
    • Michigan Pollinator Initiative
  • MSU Bee Blog
  • Pollinator Champions Course
• Virtual conferences:
  • USDA Virtual Field Day, RESCEHDULED to Saturday, October 17th, 9am-12pm CST (10am-1pm EST)
    • Hosted by USDA Honey Bee Lab and Louisiana Beekeepers Association
    • No registration is required, simply join by using the Zoom link or Zoom meeting ID: 836 0388 0984 Passcode: honeybee. (Please note that the Zoom link and Zoom meeting ID changed when the event was rescheduled. The link and ID posted are for the new 10/17 date.)
  • COLOSS Honey Bee Research Association eConference, October 12th & 13th, 2020
    • The public can participate without registering for the conference by simply visiting the COLOSS Facebook Page on Monday, October 12th beginning at 9am Eastern to view a live video stream and have the opportunity to pose questions via the comment section.
  • Michigan Beekeepers' Association (MBA) Fall Conference, October 17th & 18th, 2020
    • Registration is only open to MBA members
    • Registration is free to MBA members
  • American Honey Producers Association Video Conference, December 3rd & 4th, 2020
• Fall beekeeping management:
  • How to combine colonies using newspaper
  • Feeding Honey Bees
    • Types of feeders
      • Frame feeders
      • Gravity feeders
      • Top feeders
  • Varroa related resources
    • Oxalic acid label
  • Wrapping hives
    • Wrapping a honey bee hive with tar paper
    • Wrapping a honey bee hive using a winter cover
• Single vs. double deep brood chambers
  • Article from Ontario's Tech-Transfer on running singles (begins on p. 25)
  • Video from the University of Guelph on singles vs. doubles

DETROIT IS THE PLACE TO BEE!

• List of recommended resources for beekeepers
• MSU Extension video on installing a nuc
• MSU Extension video on installing a package
• University of Minnesota video on installing a package
• How to open a plastic bee bus package box video
• University of Minnesota video on inspecting a new colony
• Article on establishing a honey bee colony
• Instructions for lighting a smoker
• Recommendations for maximizing wax production
• Article on feeding honey bees

Established Colonies: Early-Season Management

Established Colonies: Preparing for Swarm Season