Latest News from Project Apis m.

Visit us on the Web at www.ProjectApism.org

November 1, 2010

Welcome to the latest edition of the Project Apis m. Newsletter

What is Project Apis m (PAm)?  A non-profit organization focused on finding realistic solutions to beekeepers' challenges by supporting practical, results-oriented in-field research.

• PAm continues Best Management Practices (BMPs) endeavor - -    Project Apis m. has developed BMPs in the areas of nutrition, pest control, disease control, hive management, colony management, business management and grower BMPs.  These BMPs focus on having strong colonies for almond pollination.  Presentations have been given recently at the Eastern Apicultural Society, Western Apicultural Society, CA Central Valley beekeepers, and the Montana State Beekeepers Association.  Putting key messages about pollination services together in one spot is being well-received.  If you would like copies of our BMP brochure for yourself or your bee club, contact Meg Ribotto at projectapis@gmail.com.  BMPs can be accessed on PAm’s website (click here).  PAm received a 2009 Specialty Crop Block Grant to develop these BMPs. 
   
• Weslaco Bee Lab hosts Open House - - The USDA-ARS Honey Bee Research Unit in Weslaco, TX is hosting an Open House November 22-23^rd.  Research updates by scientists Frank Eischen, Kate Aronstein, William Meikle and Christian Salcedo will be featured.  Attendees will be able to tour research labs and speak one-on-one with the scientists and technicians.  A roundtable discussion of beekeeper concerns, needs and suggestions is scheduled.  Events include a South Texas barbecue and South Padre Island fishing excursion.  For more information contact Research Leader John Adamczyk at John.Adamczyk@ars.usda.gov. 
   
• Would you like to be part of a clinical trial for Remebee? - - Beeologics is developing a line of projects to improve bee health.  Recently, Beeologics received approval to disseminate Remebee for investigative purposes. Remebee uses RNAi technology to target Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus, a virus that has been associated with CCD.  Email beekeepers@beeologics.com to purchase product for this trial.  The treatment regime begins in December, 2010. 
   
• California Apiary Board advances  - - Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed AB 1912, by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, that creates the California Apiary Research Commission. The body will operate on an estimated $2 million from a $1-per-colony assessment on beekeepers, according to legislative analysis. The California State Beekeepers Association supports the plan.
   
• UCD is recruiting a honey bee scientist  -- According to UC Davis’ Department of Entomology website, they are recruiting for an assistant professor of entomology and apiculturist in the Agricultural Experiment Station. The chosen candidate will be expected to develop successful teaching and research programs and to participate in outreach activities that contribute to the success of the University and the Agricultural Experiment Station. The research focus of this position will center on investigations pertaining to honey bees and their role in pollinating California's $6 billion honey bee-dependent crops.    Click here for more information. 
   
• PAm to embark on bee forage project  -- With the help of Project Apis m., the California State Beekeepers Association has landed a 2010 Specialty Crop Block Grant to encourage land owners and land managers to produce food resources for pollinators.  The grant will focus on developing areas of bee pasture for honey bees pollinating CA specialty crops.  Specifically, forage crops that build bees for the early almond pollination and also maintain bees between almond pollination and subsequent flowering crops will be targeted. 
   
• Dr. Marla Spivak receives the Genius Award  - -  University of Minnesota’s Dr. Marla Spivak has joined the ranks of other brilliant, creative scientists as a 2010 recipient of the MacArthur Award, nicknamed “the Genius Award”.  The MacArthur foundation recognizes individuals for their originality and insight and provides a $500,000 no-strings attached stipend for them to continue pursuit of their dreams.  PAm research, Dr. Joe DeRisi, UCSF, is also a MacArthur Fellow.  The bee research community is fortunate to have these two MacArthur Fellows working to make life better for bees and beekeepers.  To learn more about Dr. Spivak’s award, click here. 
   
• PAm to participate in upcoming bee meetings - - Look for Project Apis m representation at upcoming bee meetings at the California State Beekeepers Association annual meeting, the Idaho Honey Producers Meeting, and the upcoming North American Beekeeping Conference in January.  For more meetings, conferences and dates go to the Events section of Project Apis m’s website (click here).
   
• Section 18 sought for Hopguard - - In a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between J.I. Haas and the USDA-ARS bee lab in Tucson, Hopguard, a hop derivative, has been develop for control of varroa mites.  Sections 18’s are being pursued in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and perhaps soon also in California and Florida.  A Section 18 allows for unregistered use of a pesticide for a limited time if EPA determines than an emergency condition exists.  Section 18’s are also called “emergency exemptions”. 
   
• Out-of-State Beekeepers pollinating in California need CA Form 588 - - It appears that in an attempt to find additional sources of revenue to aid a failing state economy, California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB) is going to crack down on out-of-state beekeepers coming to the state to pollinate California crops.  If you have income from California, and don’t prepare a California tax return, the FTB would like 7% of your income and you may find your grower withholding this.  To prevent it from happening, be pro-active; visit www.ftb.ca.gov and learn about your requirements, fill out the proper forms (Form 588, the Nonresident Withholding Waiver Request), and claim your California expenses against your California income.  
   
• Donate now to PAm!  -- Why PAm?  Because PAm funds bee research that is selected and guided by beekeepers.  We are suggesting $1 per colony to support PAm's research efforts that seek to find practical solutions for managed colonies.  Click here to donate. 

If you sent hives to Paramount Farming Co. orchards during the 2010 pollination season, Paramount will generously match your contribution to PAm, dollar-for-dollar. Write your check to PAm, send it our address below, and include a note that you were a Paramount beekeeper.  “A buck a hive” becomes two bucks and will go a long way to help resolve our many bee challenges. Do your part, and Paramount will help!  

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Donations. Suggested contribution: A buck a hive - beekeeper and grower. Write this contribution for research into your pollination contracts. Send your tax deductible contribution to:

Project Apis m.
1750 Dayton Rd.
Chico, CA 95928

Visit us on the Web at www.ProjectApism.org