OSU Extension, GC Master Gardeners present Latest Buzz for Beekeepers and Bee Enthusiasts

Entertaining and informative information will be offered to those who understand how important bees are in nature at the upcoming Latest Buzz for Beekeepers and Bee Enthusiasts  from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 22, at OSU Extension-Greene County, 100 Fairground Rd., Xenia.

The day is presented by OSU Extension and the Greene County Master Gardeners.
Pollinators strongly influence ecological relationships, ecosystem conservation and stability, genetic variation in the plant community, floral diversity, specialization and evolution. In tropical forests, savannah woodlands, mangrove, and in temperate deciduous forests, many species of plants and animals would not survive if bees were missing. In farmed areas, bees are needed for the pollination of many cultivated crops and for maintaining biodiversity in islands of non-cultivated areas. The main role of bees in the different ecosystems is their pollination work, says OSU Extension-Greene County Horticulture Program Assistant Barbara Mills.
     As a one-day workshop, two tracks will be offered to bee keepers and the general bee enthusiast.  Advanced training credit will be granted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Master Gardeners Association.
    Sessions will include Benefits of Bees with Barb Bloestscher, who has kept bees as a hobby for almost 20 years. She is employed by OSU Entomology and is a part-time state entomologist at the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  She is also responsible for the apiary program where she tracks insects found in Ohio, honey bee issues and the county apiary inspection program. Bloestscher will also share information on Diseases of the Bee and Gardening for Bees.
    Jim Jasinski, OSU Extension, has been employed in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program since 1993 in the areas of field crops and pumpkins. Jasinski  currently focuses on IPM in pumpkins, sweet corn, tomatoes and other vegetables.  He will discuss Native Plants That Attract Beneficials  and Bees. 
    Butler County OSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator Cindy Meyer and Montgomery County Horticulture Program Assistant Clare Thorn will offer tips on Bee-Worthy Blooms.
    Terry Smith of Smith Farm Pure Honey will discuss Seasonal Maintenance of Hives. Smith operates a honey farm with her husband, Marc, and produces bottled honey and other hive-based products.
    A trade show of exhibitors will include Basically Natives (plant nursery); Bee Information/Hive Sample; Greene County Beekeepers Association; Native Wildflower Photography with Sharon Jernigan; Ohio Department of Agriculture; Smiths Pure Honey; and more.
    Lunch is available and included in the cost of registration.
Registration is limited to the first 80 individuals and must be received by June 15.
    Cost is $30 and must be submitted with registration to Greene County MGV, 2764 Stauffer Dr., Beavercreek, Ohio, 45434-6243. 
In 2008, there were over 3,100 active OSU Extension Master Gardeners in more than 71 Ohio counties, providing outreach and education to nearly 250,000 Ohio residents.  The Master Gardener volunteer program provides over 100,000 hours of service and nearly 30,000 hours of continuing education. Economic value of the program in the state totals $2.3 million.
All proceeds from the event directly benefit the Greene County Master Gardeners and all of their educational programming and display gardens in Xenia, Beavercreek and Fairborn.
    Registration forms and more information may be found at greene.osu.edu by following the Master Gardener link, calling
937.372.9971 or emailing greenemgv@gmail.com.