There’s fantastic event for local bee enthusiasts next Saturday (March 6, 2009): The Bee Symposium, featuring biodynamic and bee expert, Gunther Hauk, of Spikenard Farm:

The Honeybee Crisis: A Critical Point in Evolution
“Beekeeping that Respects the Colony as an Organism”
Holistic Solutions to Colony Collapse Disorder

This year’s symposium will explore our critical point in evolution, and how we might protect honeybees for the future.

Our special guest speaker is Gunther Hauk, an authority on natural beekeeping. Gunther is a well renowned author, biodynamic gardener and beekeeper for 33 years. In 2006, Gunther co-founded Spikenard Farm, Inc., a 610 acre farm with a honeybee sanctuary at its heart.

The day will also include a panel discussion with Gunther and local beekeepers: Kathy Kellison (Partners for Sustainable Pollination) Serge Labesque (Santa Rosa JC Beekeeping Instructor) Michael Thiele (Natural Beekeeping Teacher) & Doug Vincent (Owner/ Instructor beekind Beekeeping Supply)

There’s other related events during the weekend, so be sure visit the Bee Symposium 2009 page for all the details.

You know we like bees here at Permie.net….Steve ordered our bees yesterday…we’re going to become amateur apiculturists! We got a good start on learning about it through a free class at Beekind last Saturday:

The folks at Beekind are also behind the Bee Symposium…so we thank them for sharing their knowledge nd promoting apicutlure in Sonoma County! Here’s a video of Vincent getting a hive started for The Fruit Guys:

Link: Bee Symposium 2009.