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May General Meeting
The Joys of Beekeeping
Dr. Marion Ellis, UN-L Professor of Entomology
Thursday, May 10, 7:00 p.m.
Union College, Dick Administration Building,
3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln
Much has been reported in recent years about the numbers of honeybees declining, resulting in less pollination and less honey being produced. This has been attributed to varroa mites invading beehives. Many theories have been tested, some seeming like possibilities and others bordering on the bizarre. This year's situation seems to be more positive as we experienced record-high temperatures in March which spurred the early production of pollen. Recent media attention to the grave situation of the honeybees has enlightened the public to the point where more people are wanting to keep bees for honey production. As more people turn to planting backyard gardens, they soon realize that bees are necessary for pollen production in order to raise gardens and grow trees and flowers.
Lincoln has a specialist in this field right in our midst. Dr. Marion Ellis is a professor of entomology and an apiculture specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After earning his MS degree in biology, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru and El Salvador teaching apiculture at the Escuela National de Agricultura and offering educational workshops for beekeepers. Upon completing his assignment, Marion spent four years at Iowa State University working on controlled pollination of plant germplasm collections and 15 years as Nebraska's state apiculturist. After 21 years of applied apiculture work, Ellis returned to school and completed a PhD program in entomology at UNL where he is currently a professor of entomology. His research interests include bee diseases, bee parasites, and how bees are affected by toxins. Dr. Ellis is currently a partner in a 16-institution USDA CAP-funded project to investigate factors affecting honeybee health.
You may have read the recent Lincoln Journal Star's front-page story featuring Dr. Marion Ellis and his 40-year history of beekeeping. Join us to learn more about this fascinating hobby. Bring your questions to the pro for answers and insights! Marion has offered to bring honeycombs filled with honey for everyone to taste, so we'll have fresh bread and crackers for sampling, in addition to cookies and coffee.
Come join us on Thursday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level auditorium of Union College's Dick Administration Building, 3800 South 48th Street, in Lincoln. From 48th and Calvert streets, go one block south to Bancroft Avenue and turn east onto campus. Continue for two blocks and park in the lots on the south. The large building to the south and west is the Dick Building. Look for Audubon signs on the doors. There is an elevator available. The public is invited to this free presentation. Invite a friend to join you—or come alone!
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