Marion County Beekeepers Association

### Context Profile for Marion County Beekeepers Association

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - The Marion County Beekeepers Association (MCBA) is dedicated to promoting beekeeping and educating the community about the importance of bees in our ecosystem. Their mission emphasizes fostering a love for beekeeping, supporting local beekeepers, and advocating for bee health and sustainability.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - **Educational Courses**: They offer specialized courses such as the "Queen Rearing Course," which includes classroom instruction and hands-on apiary sessions.
   - **Community Engagement**: MCBA organizes events like apiary days, where members can participate in practical beekeeping activities.
   - **Workshops and Meetings**: Regular meetings are held to discuss beekeeping practices, share knowledge, and provide updates on local beekeeping issues.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of the website and communications is **friendly, informative, and supportive**. The language is accessible, aiming to engage both novice and experienced beekeepers. The use of direct address (e.g., "Hello [First Name]") in emails fosters a personal connection.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The website does not prominently feature emojis in its content. However, the tone remains engaging and approachable without the need for emojis, focusing instead on clear and informative language.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: Specific founding details are not mentioned on the website.
   - **Scale**: The organization appears to be community-focused, with activities centered around Marion County.
   - **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not provided, the emphasis on education and community engagement suggests a commitment to increasing awareness and participation in beekeeping.
   - **Volunteer Info**: Opportunities for volunteering are likely available, especially during community events and educational programs, although specific details are not outlined on the website.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use a conversational and friendly tone, addressing the audience directly. 
   - **Clarity**: Ensure that information is presented clearly and concisely, especially when detailing events and educational content.
   - **Engagement**: Incorporate calls to action that encourage participation in courses and events.
   - **Personalization**: Utilize personalization in communications (e.g., using the recipient's name) to enhance connection and engagement.

### Summary
The Marion County Beekeepers Association is focused on education and community engagement in beekeeping. Their friendly and informative tone, combined with clear communication, makes their materials accessible to a wide audience. Future content should maintain this approach while encouraging participation and fostering a sense of community among beekeepers.

LXCL:10 classroom presentations and 2 hands on activities over the course by local and state beekeepers and professionals. This registrations includes: 2 Books "First lessons in Beekeeping" and "A Field Guide to Honey Bees and Their Maladies", 2026 membership to both MCBA and WVBA, Discount on the American Bee Journal magazine, and free registration to the 2026 Fall WV Beekeepers Conference.

Seat

2026 MCBA Beginner Beekeeping ClassJoin us for the 2026 Beginner Beekeeping Class, where you&#39;ll learn the essentials of beekeeping with hands-on guidance. This course, hosted by the Marion County Beekeepers Association, introduces you to the fascinating world of bees and their vital role in our ecosystem. Through a mix of classroom instruction and hands on&nbsp;sessions, you&#39;ll gain practical skills while nurturing a passion for sustainability and bee health. Embrace the opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and support our local beekeeping community. 1. &nbsp;Bee Biology &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;February 5th, 2026&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Welcome and Introduction &ndash; Dana &amp; JamieA. Personal Equipment &amp; Components of a Hive (Chapter 3) &ndash; Pete SomersBee veil, Gloves, Smoker, Hive Tool, Optional Items, etc: Hive body, Supers, FramesFoundation, Queen Excluder, etc. Importance of &ldquo;Bee Space&rdquo; (5/16&rdquo;)B. Next Steps (Chapter 4)- Dana GrayChoosing a location, Package vs NUCs, Suppliers, when to order, Local vs Out-of-State&nbsp;2. &nbsp;Getting Started &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;February 10th, 2026A. Individual &amp; Community Biology ( Chaper 2) &ndash; Shanda King, WV State apiaristQueen, Worker, Drone, Development stages, Function, work of each &ldquo;Caste&rdquo;, Pheromones, Food, Reproduction, Hive population varies, Swarming, etc.B. The importance of food &ldquo;Nectar Flow&rdquo; (Chapter 5 p79-84)-Christine Zawaski, PhD, WVUBloom Chart, Bees like some food better than others.&nbsp;3. &nbsp;Workshop- Chuck Cienawski &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;February 12th, 2026Assemble frames and supers&nbsp;4. &nbsp;Hive Maladies &amp; Treatment &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;February 17th, 2026A. &nbsp;Pests and Predators (Chaper 8) - Bill DaetwylerVerroa Mites, Tracheal mites, American Foulbrood, Nosema, and Pests (Hive beetles, Wax moths, Ants, and Animals)B. Treatments and When to do themOrganic acid-based options like oxalic and formic acid, synthetic miticides such as amitraz, and other products for specific pests and diseases.&nbsp;5. Seasonal Management &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;February 19th, 2026A. Seasonal Management ( Chapter 7)-JamieYear Management Practice with attention on Early Spring, Late Spring and Summer management to possibly include treatment option stations.B. Supering (Chapter 5, pg 73 &amp; 74)-Jamie WhiteStrong Colony needs, Excluders, Adding supers, always start with 10 frames&nbsp;C. Treatment StationsVarious MCBA club member will set up stations so that the class can walk through different treatment options, gather information, and ask specific questions about treatment strategies for honeybees.&nbsp;6. &nbsp;Harvesting Honey &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;February 24th, 2026&nbsp;A. Methods (Chapter 6, pg 85&ndash;88)- Charlie Metz(Honey and Moisture), Shake and brush, Bee escape, Fume Board, BlowerB. Comb Honey and Extracted (Chapter 6, pg 88-97) -Charlie MetzProduct preparation and storage of Honey and other products (wax, pollen, propolis)C. &nbsp;Cooking with Honey - Nancy Postlewhait

<span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for signing up for the 2026 MCBA Beginner Beekeeping Class! We&#39;re thrilled to have you join us on this journey into the amazing world of bees and beekeeping. By registering, you&#39;re not only embarking on an educational adventure but also supporting the Marion County Beekeepers Association&#39;s mission to promote bee health and sustainability. Together, we can make a positive impact on our local ecosystem. We&#39;re looking forward to sharing this experience with you and other enthusiastic learners. Until then, buzz with excitement about all you&#39;ll discover! Warm regards, The Marion County Beekeepers Association Team

2026 MCBA Beginner Beekeeping ClassJoin us for the 2026 Beginner Beekeeping Class, where you'll learn the essentials of beekeeping with hands-on guidance. This course, hosted by the Marion County Beekeepers Association, introduces you to the fascinating world of bees and their vital role in our ecosystem. Through a mix of classroom instruction and hands on sessions, you'll gain practical skills while nurturing a passion for sustainability and bee health. Embrace the opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts and support our local beekeeping community. 1.  Bee Biology                                                                                              February 5th, 2026      Welcome and Introduction – Dana &amp; JamieA. Personal Equipment &amp; Components of a Hive (Chapter 3) – Pete SomersBee veil, Gloves, Smoker, Hive Tool, Optional Items, etc: Hive body, Supers, FramesFoundation, Queen Excluder, etc. Importance of “Bee Space” (5/16”)B. Next Steps (Chapter 4)- Dana GrayChoosing a location, Package vs NUCs, Suppliers, when to order, Local vs Out-of-State 2.  Getting Started                                                                                        February 10th, 2026A. Individual &amp; Community Biology ( Chaper 2) – Shanda King, WV State apiaristQueen, Worker, Drone, Development stages, Function, work of each “Caste”, Pheromones, Food, Reproduction, Hive population varies, Swarming, etc.B. The importance of food “Nectar Flow” (Chapter 5 p79-84)-Christine Zawaski, PhD, WVUBloom Chart, Bees like some food better than others. 3.  Workshop- Chuck Cienawski                                                                February 12th, 2026Assemble frames and supers 4.  Hive Maladies &amp; Treatment                                                                    February 17th, 2026A.  Pests and Predators (Chaper 8) - Bill DaetwylerVerroa Mites, Tracheal mites, American Foulbrood, Nosema, and Pests (Hive beetles, Wax moths, Ants, and Animals)B. Treatments and When to do themOrganic acid-based options like oxalic and formic acid, synthetic miticides such as amitraz, and other products for specific pests and diseases. 5. Seasonal Management                                                                            February 19th, 2026A. Seasonal Management ( Chapter 7)-JamieYear Management Practice with attention on Early Spring, Late Spring and Summer management to possibly include treatment option stations.B. Supering (Chapter 5, pg 73 &amp; 74)-Jamie WhiteStrong Colony needs, Excluders, Adding supers, always start with 10 frames C. Treatment StationsVarious MCBA club member will set up stations so that the class can walk through different treatment options, gather information, and ask specific questions about treatment strategies for honeybees. 6.  Harvesting Honey                                                                                    February 24th, 2026 A. Methods (Chapter 6, pg 85–88)- Charlie Metz(Honey and Moisture), Shake and brush, Bee escape, Fume Board, BlowerB. Comb Honey and Extracted (Chapter 6, pg 88-97) -Charlie MetzProduct preparation and storage of Honey and other products (wax, pollen, propolis)C.  Cooking with Honey - Nancy Postlewhait

Marion County Beekeepers Association

2026 MCBA Beginner Beekeeping class

Seat

$60