Jennifer, VeAnn and Brenda working our information booth at the Master Gardeners Spring event 2026.  Steve provide some honey to sell. 

Blue snow is created by Eastern Cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), sometimes deer, that are feeding on particular types of plants.  Up here in NW Minnesota this particular plant is the European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).  As the Cottontail consumes the berries or bark of the Buckhorn there is a chemical reaction takes place when it's exposed to sunlight or oxygen due to oxidized phytochemicals...Urination in other words.

The NWMBA calendar is now available. You'll find the calendar under the ABOUT drop down menu. 

Came across this Facebook page that is hosting a database, though at the moment fairly small, of known Scamming sights targeting Beekeepers. Under that the About menu there is a link to the database.  However, I'll post it here too.

So, what is it?

Drone Congregation Area (DCA) has always been reported as, some distance, if not, miles away from the apiary and high in the air. The DCA reportedly is where BCWW took place. Over the years I've found dead drones right on the landing board with the junk pulled out, assuming the mate queen just hauled the now dead drone back to the hive with her. That would make for a very large and easy target for bird or dragonfly, so my thought were that the DCA is not always miles away, but closer. But, I had no proof!

The product is exclusively being sold through Mannlake.  Here are a few bullet points about the product.

In a nutshell, this guy had 20 hives taken off his property without his permission. I'll let the video tell the rest.

13 Nov 2025, temper at 50°F, calm and clear skies. The bees are busy looking to gain access to other colonies and anything thing else that might be a resource. I barely stepped out my front door and was immediately investigated.

Well, simply put, its a queen pheromone that signals her ability to lay eggs. A drop in this pheromone can cause a Supersedure.  So, why the drop in the pheromone?  Good question! This article explains the whole story at Phys.org

Planted two test plots this year.  One in May the other July.  Both attracted tons of bees and butterflies.  May plant last through August.  July planting started bloom in August and it's still going.  Nectar production is suppose to be very good. This plant is stand to be able to handle temps down to 18°F.  So, it's proven to be true.