Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – 08 April 2013

Wilson County Beekeeper’s President Carey Mitchell welcomed 118 members and guests to the April 8, 2013 meeting.

Minutes from the March meeting were approved.

Old business discussed:

• Wilbanks packages will be delivered Saturday, April 13 at the Ward Ag Center around 3:00 pm
• Still waiting for a delivery date on the nucs
• First Lessons in Beekeeping for sale–$8.00 each.  Also have WCBA hats ($10) and shirts ($15)
• Swarm list was available for updates
• Carey thanked Jason & Melissa Hanneken for the silverware setting for 36
• Still have a few inspector badges to be picked up
• 29 attended the beginner’s workshop on the 16^th of March for review
• Several members attended the Hobbyist BeeMaster Class in McMinnville
• Peggy Scholes still needs a few bodies to help with Farm Day on May 8-9 (Wednesday/Thursday)
• Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce is still needing a beekeeper for Toast to TN Wine Festival to speak with the public on beekeeping
• Beetle traps are for sale at $1.00 each and Beetle Jails are $1.60 each.

New business discussed:

• WCBA received a new beginner’s kit from Linda Johenning to be raffled off with all proceeds going to our June charity, New Leash on Life.  Has never had bees, but has been stored and needs cleaning and painting.  Tickets are $1 each and drawing will happen at the June picnic.  Do not need to be present to win.
• Carey mentioned three articles in ABJ regarding Toxins by Randy Oliver which are well-worth reading

Fred’s To Do List:

• Inspect colonies for brood pattern, GLQ (good looking queen), queen right, swarm cells
• Add supers
• No chemical treatment or syrup with supers on hives
• Install beetle traps
• New Package Installation:  reduce entrance, feed until they do not take syrup
• Add 2^nd hive body once 7 frames are drawn on a 10 frame or 6 frames drawn on an 8 frame
• Read-Read-Read

Lynda Rizzardi, TBA President, introduced herself and spoke briefly on TBA and the Fall Conference which is being held this year again at the TTU in Cookeville on September 27 and 28 (Friday & Saturday).

With his knowledge and humor, Kent Williams from Wingo, Kentucky, presented a very informative program on Swarm Prevention and Control.  The floor was open for all questions.

Next meeting is scheduled for May 6 with Jim Garrison discussing Nectar and Pollen Plants.

Door Prizes given:

• Slatted Rack from Rossman—Shellie Meador
• Honey candy from GloryBee—Eddie Donnelly
• Hive Tool from Pigeon Mountain—Kelcie Meador
• Honeybee pin from Lynda Rizzardi—Devon Sutherland
• Honey Sticker from Honey Board—Roger McKinney
• Goodie Box from Paula Rogers—Kim Walter

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 for refreshments and fellowship.