Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – 7 October 2013

Wilson County Beekeepers’ President Carey Mitchell welcomed 81 members, guests and visitors to the October 7^th meeting at the Ward Ag Center.  A request was made for the approval of the posted minutes of the September meeting.

Old Business discussed:

• TBA Conference—many made the trip to Cookeville and enjoyed themselves.  Everyone seemed to have learned something.  Mark your calendar for the 2014 Conference—October 8 & 9 in Cookeville
• WCBA shirts are still available…$10.00 each
• Beetle Blasters ($1.00) and Beetle Jails ($1.50) available as is the pollen substitute at $1.75/pound—14 pounds left
• Request was made for completed fair questionnaires
• 2013 Programs Ideas List and Christmas Charity suggestions were circulated along with a mentor list sign-up
• Short Course is scheduled for October 15-17—if members are attending, there will be no charge, but no paperwork will be distributed…you can bring what you have from the last short course.  Let Petra know if you are attending
• A request was made again to return all library material…Kelcie needs to do inventory

New Business:

• New books for WCBA’s library:  Huber’s New Observations Upon Bees and The Introduction to Queen Bees
• Question was proposed about doing new t-shirts for next year…discussion ended with the group wanting to go ahead with t-shirt program but not dating them.  Peter Klaes as shown interest in obtaining designs
• Next month we will be electing officers…anyone wanting to take an office, let Petra know so you can be put on the ballot
• Fred Dawson recapped the TBA Board Meeting:
  • Even though Carey Mitchell was nominated Beekeeper of the Year, Lynda Rizzardi won the title
  • Charlie Parton received the Lifetime Beekeeper Award
  • Final decision on the Hive Grant has yet to be determined
  • Mike Studer gave statistics for registered beekeepers/new beekeepers registered/total apiaries/registered colonies/colonies inspected
  • David Thompson briefly discussed the Voluntary Honey Bee Best Management Practices Agreement that can be obtained from www.tn.gov/agriculture/forms/apiary/honeyBMPpolicy.pdf
  • Fred stated that the Hive Grant/Beekeeper Scholarship Program met before the meeting and they have are almost ready to forward their decisions to the Executive Board for approval…which will be presented to the membership by the next meeting

Fred’s Monthly To-Do:

• Check for stores—60 pounds of feed needed for winter—Feed 2:1 syrup if needed—need to get as much feed on them before the 1^st of November.  Be sure to feed close to the cluster
• Evaluate hives…it’s better to have one strong hive than two weak hives…consider combining
• Check each colony to be sure they are queen right
• Ventilate hives to avoid condensation
• Read, Read, Read!!!!

Carey introduced Rob Holland, Director of the Center for Profitable Agriculture which is a department in the University of Tennessee Extension.  They work with farmers across the State that are considering “value-added” ventures.  He had a 10 item questionnaire that he requested we complete to give him some insight as to where he may be helpful for beekeepers.

Our program for the evening was our own Sue Dickhaus demonstrating how she makes soaps and salves for gifting and sale.  She is very knowledgeable when it comes to herbs and their uses.

Two announcements made:   Jane Harbour donated some honey back to the club from the Hive Grant agreement and there were 8 ounce bears available for $4.00 each.   The Fair Appreciation Dinner will be held November 14…invitations will go out end of October

Our next meeting is scheduled for November 4 with Harris Overholt discussing trapping and selling pollen.

Prizes for the evening:

• First Lessons in Beekeeping—Lanny Correll
• Honey Candy from GloryBee—Theresa Wells
• Traveling Screen donated by WT Nolen—Peggy Scholes
• Vitex—Greg Tomerlin
• Vitex—Dean Nuss
• Gift set from Paula Rogers—Lynn Mathews

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 for refreshments and fellowship.