A Note from Jim Satterfield...

I received the following as an MSWord Document from Marty Hardison. I converted it to HTML and post it for your information. The name "ECOBEE" is apparently the trademark for a concern that is marketing the equipment necessary for TBH beekeeping, including the hives. Marty is scheduled to present seminars as indicated in the text of this document.

ECOBEELLC

A NEW BEEKEEPING SYSTEM FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM©

Thank you for your interest in ECOBEE! We have developed a beekeeping system that is remarkably simpler in design than the traditional bee hives currently on the market (those stacked white boxes you are probably most familiar with). Although we owe much to the beekeepers of the last two centuries, traditional bee hives have not significantly changed in design since the mid-1800’s. ECOBEE believes there is a better way. Beekeeping does not have to be the cost-intensive, labor-intensive, pesticide-intensive and space-intensive chore that it has been. Here are a few of the benefits of the ECOBEE beekeeping system:

ECOBEE BEEKEEPING

TRADITIONAL BEEKEEPING

The ECOBEE hive has only three separate parts. ECOBEE hives are designed to last decades. Many of our hives have been in operation for as many as twenty years with no part replacements having been needed. Traditional hives require over 44 precisely machined parts per box (or super). Most traditional hives average five to six boxes during the honey producing season (for a total of 220 to 264 total parts per hive). Due to the increased complexity of the hive design, and thus the increased wear and tear on the hive parts, most traditional beekeepers find that they experience an approximately 5% loss in hive parts every year. These parts must be continuously replaced over the lifetime of the hive. Most beekeeping supply companies make most of their profit from hive part replacements, not on the sale of the initial hive.

ECOBEE topbars (the part of the hive that the bees build both brood and honeycomb on) are ingeniously simple. The bees build their own comb, so no comb foundation (i.e., the expensive man-made filament required for traditional comb frames) is required.
The frames used in traditional bee hives require the use of comb foundations. Foundations vary in price depending on the specific use in the hive, but typically cost anywhere from $10 to $15 for ten foundations. Most established hives require a minimum of ten foundations per box, for each of the five to six boxes that make up the hive. In addition, foundations used for honeycomb must be removed, cleaned and stored each winter and then

re-inserted in the spring. Foundations typically require replacement every two to three years.

Due to ECOBEE’s simple hive design, managing the hive for maximum honey production and bee health is much easier and a lot less labor intensive. As with all bee hives, if the hive has too much space, then the hive will fail to thrive. If the hive has too little space, then the bees may decide to divide and swarm. Because of the incredibly simple ECOBEE design, management of the hive space is a simple matter of periodically checking the hive and then adding or removing the ECOBEE combs. Managing the more complicated traditional hive for maximum honey production and bee health is much more complicated. Manipulating the addition or subtraction of the boxes in a traditional hive is a labor intensive, demanding chore. Correct manipulation of the hive boxes can be a science in and of itself. Some beekeepers can take years to get it right.

The ECOBEE beekeeping system is specifically designed to maximize the health of your bees-we encourage pesticide-free beekeeping without risking the health of the entire colony. Bee health is a staggering problem for traditional beekeepers. Because of the expense and complexity of a traditional bee hive it is often necessary to use large amounts pesticides to get rid of unwanted pests. Both of these options require time and money.

Harvesting your honey with the ECOBEE system is a simple process. There is no need for expensive uncapping knives and centrifugal spinners to get your honey. Traditional beekeepers need both uncapping knives (approximately $50) and centrifugal spinning machines (anywhere from $250 to $1,000) to extract their honey.

We haven’t convinced you yet? Then our pricing will. Traditional beekeepers spend $1,000 or more to get into beekeeping - not including the cost to replace worn parts or old foundations. Don’t be fooled by the so-called starter kits available for traditional beekeeping. These kits are usually priced at about $100, but do not include some of the principal parts. Specifically, they usually don’t include more than one hive box (supers) or any of the extracting equipment (at a minimum, these required items can cost between $400 to $900).

ECOBEE is offering seminars to teach you everything you need to know to get started. The ECOBEE cost is $260, and includes all of the following equipment:

An ECOBEE beehive

Smoker

Helmet

Veil

Gloves

Hive tool

Five-gallon bucket

Heavy duty ECOBEE long-sleeve T-Shirt

10 honey-bear containers

Straining cloth

Our upcoming seminars will be held on March 18, April 15 and May 13, 2000 (Sorry, the March 4, 2000 seminar has been filled). The seminar will be limited to 15 students (although husbands and wives or a parent and an older child can attend as one), and will last from 8:00 am until approximately 2:00 pm. We are very pleased to have Mr. Marty Hardison, the developer of the ECOBEE system leading our seminars. Marty has kept bees for over 25 years, and has developed the ECOBEE system specifically for use in the Rocky Mountain Region.

The seminars will be held in Kiowa, Colorado. Once your check is received, ECOBEE will send you a confirmation card with directions to the seminar site. We will be holding the seminar outdoors (weather permitting), so please dress appropriately (i.e., even if it looks warm….bring a warm jacket….this is Colorado). If the weather doesn’t permit , the seminar will be held indoors. Snacks, sodas and coffee will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch. The seminars are open to everyone, but please, no young children.

We are currently coming up with the pricing for the additional hives for those who want them (we recommend no more than three hives for the beginning beekeeper). You will be able to order additional ECOBEE hives at the seminar.

If you would like to attend one of our seminars, please cut off the sign-up coupon below, attach your check, and mail to:

ECOBEE

PO Box 330

Kiowa, Colorado 80117

If you are unable to attend one of our seminars on the dates scheduled, we will be planning more seminars in early June. Alternatively, we can ship you all of the equipment noted above and the seminar instructional materials. The instructional materials are detailed enough to get you started, and you would be eligible for on-going technical support (please call for details).

---------------------------------------------CUT HERE--------------------------------------

Name:__________________________________________________________

Mailing Address:__________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Phone Number:____________________________

Number and ages of people attending:__________________________________

Any experience keeping bees?

Preferred seminar date: March 18 April 15 May 13

Glove Size: Adult-Small Adult-Medium Adult-Large Adult-Xlarge

T-Shirt Size: Adult-Small Adult-Medium Adult-Large Adult-Xlarge

We must receive your check at least one week prior to your seminar date. A full refund will be given with a seven day written notice. A partial refund will be available without a seven day written notice. In the case of a medical emergency, a full refund can be given or a new date may be selected. Additional equipment and ECOBEE hives can be ordered at your seminar. A maximum of two people per paying unit may attend.

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The views expressed on this web page are not necessarily the views of Georgia State University, Atlanta GA USA.

James D. Satterfield Canton GA USA jsatt@gsu.edu

ECOBEE BEEKEEPING	TRADITIONAL BEEKEEPING
The ECOBEE hive has only three separate parts. ECOBEE hives are designed to last decades. Many of our hives have been in operation for as many as twenty years with no part replacements having been needed.	Traditional hives require over 44 precisely machined parts per box (or super). Most traditional hives average five to six boxes during the honey producing season (for a total of 220 to 264 total parts per hive). Due to the increased complexity of the hive design, and thus the increased wear and tear on the hive parts, most traditional beekeepers find that they experience an approximately 5% loss in hive parts every year. These parts must be continuously replaced over the lifetime of the hive. Most beekeeping supply companies make most of their profit from hive part replacements, not on the sale of the initial hive.
ECOBEE topbars (the part of the hive that the bees build both brood and honeycomb on) are ingeniously simple. The bees build their own comb, so no comb foundation (i.e., the expensive man-made filament required for traditional comb frames) is required.	The frames used in traditional bee hives require the use of comb foundations. Foundations vary in price depending on the specific use in the hive, but typically cost anywhere from $10 to $15 for ten foundations. Most established hives require a minimum of ten foundations per box, for each of the five to six boxes that make up the hive. In addition, foundations used for honeycomb must be removed, cleaned and stored each winter and then re-inserted in the spring. Foundations typically require replacement every two to three years.
Due to ECOBEE’s simple hive design, managing the hive for maximum honey production and bee health is much easier and a lot less labor intensive. As with all bee hives, if the hive has too much space, then the hive will fail to thrive. If the hive has too little space, then the bees may decide to divide and swarm. Because of the incredibly simple ECOBEE design, management of the hive space is a simple matter of periodically checking the hive and then adding or removing the ECOBEE combs.	Managing the more complicated traditional hive for maximum honey production and bee health is much more complicated. Manipulating the addition or subtraction of the boxes in a traditional hive is a labor intensive, demanding chore. Correct manipulation of the hive boxes can be a science in and of itself. Some beekeepers can take years to get it right.
The ECOBEE beekeeping system is specifically designed to maximize the health of your bees-we encourage pesticide-free beekeeping without risking the health of the entire colony.	Bee health is a staggering problem for traditional beekeepers. Because of the expense and complexity of a traditional bee hive it is often necessary to use large amounts pesticides to get rid of unwanted pests. Both of these options require time and money.
Harvesting your honey with the ECOBEE system is a simple process. There is no need for expensive uncapping knives and centrifugal spinners to get your honey.	Traditional beekeepers need both uncapping knives (approximately $50) and centrifugal spinning machines (anywhere from $250 to $1,000) to extract their honey.