Join us for the annual potluck holiday party and officer elections! Meet old friends or make new ones, and talk about bees and your plans for the upcoming year.

Bring something delicious to share (wine/beer/mead is okay!). Soda and sparkling water will be provided.

Join us for a presentation by Phil Stob on bait hives! What makes an effective, practical swarm-trap in the East Bay? How can we save our neighbors the drama of dealing with swarms? How can we easily capture swarms from our own hives? How can we get free local bees?

Phil has the answers. He's a Fremont beekeeper and 10 year ACBA member who has had exceptional success luring colonies to his traps (75 in the last four years)! Phil gives most of his swarms to local beginner beekeepers.

Our speaker will be BioFuel Oasis co-founder Jennifer Radtke on the topic of Swarm Prevention in Early Spring. Jennifer has over 19 years of beekeeping experience. She’s been teaching beekeeping classes for 13 years, and has published several articles in the American Bee Journal. She’s also a former Vice President of the ACBA and the author of a book on Bay Area beekeeping. Swarm pressure is very high for overwintered hives in the Bay Area.  The back & forth weather of February/March make it difficult to inspect the hive regularly.  Jennifer has only had a hive swarm once in the last 10 years & she's excited to share her strategies for preventing swarms (& keeping the neighbors happy)!  Everyone is welcome at the meeting, including beginners. It's a great way to meet people who can help you on your beekeeping journey. We hope to see you there!