Mark Chorba, known in local bee circles as “The Bee Whisperer,” will return to the Reynolds Homestead on Saturday, Feb. 11, for another free beekeeping workshop. The program is from 10 a.m. to noon, and is open to those thinking about starting bee hives as well as those who may have been keeping bees for years.
According to the Va. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, nearly one-third of honey bee colonies have died in the past few years. Chorba, who works in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, is determined to help local families learn to raise bees and to reduce that mortality rate. Because he is dedicated to passing along this important information, Chorba offers these workshops for free to the interested public.
It’s hard to tell exactly why some hives die, but Chorba says it could be a combination of things, including viruses, bacteria, or pesticides, and the varroa mite. Keeping bees alive and healthy and spreading the word on how beekeeping can be a rewarding hobby is what drives Chorba’s desire to share information.
Even though the event is free, interested participants are asked to register by calling the Reynolds Homestead at (276) 694-7181. Coffee and light snacks will be available.
