Hi Friends:
At the last meeting of the Quinte Beekeepers’ Association Liz Corbett talked about the project currently being undertaken at Batawa to create a sustainable community. “There are many interesting projects being discussed including a farmers market, local food restaurant, sustainable energy projects, summer use of the ski hill, Carelton University campus in part of the old Bata plant for urban agriculture research and much more,” said Corbett.
“Since our last meeting Peter Bussell and I have visited Batawa twice for meetings to discuss the possibility of Quinte Beekeepers Association (QBA) meeting establishing a cooperative beeyard on some of the agricultural land,” she said. “We could also look at revitalizing several old hay fields with bee friendly forage crops such at wildflowers, sunflowers, buckwheat, etc.
“We have also discussed the possibility of creating a pollinator park on some of the scrub land that is of minimal agricultural value. What is also great is the support, both in manpower and in financial resources that would come from the town of Batawa itself.
“Visiting Batawa and seeing what they are doing there is very inspiring. It would be great if QBA could be a part of this renewed sustainable community. To this end, I would like to invite any interested QBA members to a meeting to discuss the creation of a Cooperative Bee Yard Committee. The whole club would benefit from a cooperative bee yard. It would be great for education and mentoring, a source of bee hives for members or to sell as fundraising and so much more. Please consider attending this meeting this Thursday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the NOD Apiary Products building, 2325 Frankford Rd, just 2 km east of Frankford. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. I think with enough hands, we can make this light work and make a difference not just to Ontario beekeeping, but to the revitalization of a very interesting community.
“Another thing we will discuss at this meeting is the presentation of a special award, perhaps a lifetime achievement award to Doug McRory our Provincial Apiarist, who over the past 20+ years has done so much for Ontario’s beekeeping industry. We hope to present this at the next Quinte Beekeepers Association meeting on April 20.
“If you can attend the meeting, please respond by email. I can send out better directions once I know who is coming.
Bee well and bee happy.”
Liz Corbett
ebcorbettsympatico.ca
