Sweet Mountain Farm Field Days – Sample schedule
FERRY
View the Washington Island Ferry boat schedule here. Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure and prepare to purchase ferry tickets.
ISLAND TRANSPORTATION
Decide on transportation. Transportation options include bringing your own vehicle, carpool with other participants, bicycle rental, Cherry Train, moped rental, and the Shuttle. Washington Island encompasses 35 square miles and over 11,000 acres, not all transportation options stop near Sweet Mountain Farm so check out your travel options before you arrive.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Book your accommodations before you arrive. Don’t get stuck on the Island overnight without a hotel reservation. Book ahead and make sure that you have a reservation confirmation. Don’t wait since, during the summer, rooms are typically full. Door County will also be heavily booked and you may not find a room nearby.
RETURN TRIP
Plan your return trip. The last two ferries leaving the island on Saturday night are 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Arrive at Detroit Harbor at least 30 minutes early if you are driving your auto and plan to get your auto on board for the ferry trip back to the mainland, especially if you plan to board the last boat of the day.
EQUIPMENT
Bring your own gear. You will not be allowed in the bee yard without protective equipment. Remember your bee suit, veil, gloves and hive tool or anything else that you want to use in the bee yard. Hiking boots are preferred. Sweet Mountain Farm does not supply equipment.
LIABILITY
Sign a liability waiver. It is necessary before entering the bee yard. Waivers are distributed in your welcome packet.
ATTRACTIONS
Check out the Washington Island Chamber of Commerce website here for information. There are many interesting places to visit on the Island. Don’t miss the Stavekirk located on Town Line Road. The craftsmanship is astounding. It is one of my favorites.
PLANNED EVENTS:
Welcome
Saturday, June XX, XXXX
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Location: Local Restaurant
Announcements, brief meeting, distribute handouts. Oatmeal, brown sugar, cream, walnuts, cherries, Sweet Mountain Farm Maple Syrup and Honey will be provided.
In the Bee Yard
11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The day is for your enrichment and enjoyment. Relax in the honey bee environment. Come and go as you please. There will be 10-15 minute talks at the top of each hour. I will demonstrate then you can practice. I will be on-hand for Q&A throughout the day. Work stations will be set up by topic.
- Assembling equipment
- Hive a nucleus colony – demonstration
- Colony inspections – demonstration then work in pairs
- Chemical Free Integrated Pest Management – powder sugar roll & mite counts
- Tour the honey house
Outside the Honey House:
A refreshment tent is outside the Honey House. Beverages are provided.
Round Table
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. -Day trip attendees leave at 4:15 p.m. to make the 5:00 p.m. ferry
Always check the ferry schedule. Last ferry Saturday night 7:15 p.m.
Don’t miss the final event (location to be announced). This is a capstone for the day’s events if enough people show interest and sign up. Come together, share your experiences, and get feedback. Join a round table discussion about working with Russian honey bees. Refreshments are available.
We need a head count and some basic information about you.
Participant limit = 20.