Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 2 March 2015

The March meeting of the Wilson County Beekeepers was held at the Ward Ag Center on the 2^nd with 115 members, guests and visitors (including three from Roane/Morgan/Cumberland counties) in attendance. Carey Mitchell, President called the meeting to order.

Membership approved the January minutes as posted in the last newsletter. The current checkbook balance is $xxxx.

Old Business Discussed:

• Dues are due…you won’t get a membership book unless they are paid
• March 9 is the rescheduled Refresher Workshop at 7:00 pm.
• March 14 at 1:00 pm—rescheduled TBA Board Meeting. Meeting held at the Rutherford County Farmer’s Market in Murfreesboro. If you have Kelley orders and aren’t attending the meeting, let Petra know and we will make arrangements to pick those up.
• WCBA shirts are still available in size Medium for $10.00 each
• Fred Dawson reported he is working on the new shirts…simple design on the front in black with gold printing and gold with black printing. The cost is $10.00 for all sizes and orders need to be in by the end of the April meeting. A few extras will be purchased, but quantity will be limited. No payment needed until pickup. Please let Fred or Petra know what size and color you want ordered
• Karen Dawson asked for a minimum of 9 people each day of Farm Date (April 15 & 16). Need to be at the Fairgrounds in the Poultry Barn. Sign-up was at the back table. Please contact either Karen or Petra to sign up, if you haven’t attended the meeting.
• Field Day is scheduled for May 23 and alternate rain day of May 30. Three yards: Mt. Juliet, Lebanon and Watertown. Petra has directions and they will also be posted to the website.

New Business Discussed:

• Pigeon Mountain Trading Company is offering free UPS ground on all orders over $100.00, but that does not include bees
• UT Extension Master Beekeeper Basic Class is scheduled for April 2-4 in Clarksville, April 16-18 in Jamestown, and April 28-May 2 in Knoxville. The cost of the class
• The Swarm List was circulated for those interested in picking up swarms in the upcoming months. If you have not paid your dues, you will not be included

Fred’s To-Do List:

• Have you ordered your bees?
• How about your equipment
• Pay attention to Kent’s program
• Read-read-read

Kent Williams had a most-informative program on preparing our colonies for Spring and into Summer..

Announcements:

• There are still 2 local clubs that are having their short courses: Cookeville and Rutherford Counties.
• Vitex seed available in back
• Next meeting is the SECOND MONDAY, April 13 with Clarence Collison discussing the Importance of Bee Nutrition.

Fred and Carey handed out door prizes. Congrats to the winners this month: Petra Mitchell, Mark Linder, Shelli Meador, Sterling Earhart, and Andy Robinson.

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $xxxx including paying the 2015 Wilson County Fair sponsorship.

Meeting adjourned around 8:10 for refreshments and fellowship.

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Respectfully submitted: Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
March 4, 2015

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