Two small colonies of bees will be on exhibit later this week near the McMichael Science Building and the Ernest A. Koury, Sr. Business Center as the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association holds its summer conference at Elon University from July 7-9, 2011.
The working apiaries will be used to teach members about bees, bee biology and beekeeping challenges. The foraging bees will hardly be observed and are generally very docile. However, they are capable of stinging in defense of their colonies.
Anyone interested in viewing the demonstration apiaries can approach the areas while an instructor is nearby or while a class is underway.
Hundreds of participants are expected to attend the three-day conference. Registration and general/voting sessions will be held in the Center for the Arts. A vendor fair will take place in Isabella Cannon Room and Ward Gallery, and the campus community is welcome to visit with business owners and learn about beekeeping.
Demonstrations and workshops will be held across campus in Moseley Center, Koury Business Center and McMichael Science Building.
The NCSBA is a non-profit corporation and its meetings are open to all members and visitors ready to join. Its mission includes promoting public awareness of honey bee importance, developing markets for beekeeping products and improving practices relating to honey bees and beekeeping. For information visit the website at: http://www.ncbeekeepers.org/
– Information from Patti Gibbons in the Office of Cultural and Special Programs