Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 2 October 2017

Carey Mitchell, President of the Wilson County Beekeepers welcomed 57 members and guests to the October 2 meeting at the Ward Ag Center.   The minutes from the September meeting were approved.

Old Business Discussed:

• Still ha e Conference scholarships available.  If you are interested, see Petra.  These need to get to her by the early registration date of October 6
• Short Course is October 31 to November 2.  If you are attending, put your name on the list.  Also we need mentors to attend, especially on Thursday to put together frames.  if you need equipment that needs assembly, please bring it.
• Rock Bridge Trees’ Tree Sale is in effect until November 1.  You will have to go to Bethpage to pick them up, as these trees are too large to ship.
• Elections are next month.  Margaret Cantrell is giving up her Vice President’s seat.

New Business Discussed:

• At the last meeting, Trevor gave away a complete hive and it was won by Sterling who decided that he didn’t need it and is raffling it off at this meeting ($1.00 per chance) and proceeds will go to offset the cost of the digital refractometer that Petra will pick up at Conference.
• Suppliers at Conference will be:  Brushy Mountain (10% discount), Kelley Bees, Mann Lake, Rossman Apiaries, Bon Aqua Springs, Millerbee Mfg., Rock Bridge Trees, and others.
• We’ve received our Inspection Grant from the State.  Inspectors…please fill out your inspection slips and return them to Petra so you can get paid.  I know most of you do it just to do it, but if we don’t use the grant monies, they may not be available later.

Candice Thompson, one of our directors, reminded that all TBA members receive a copy of the newsletter which includes the ballot for elections and encouraged all to read it and submit their vote.  Last year, all of Middle TN only had 84 votes cast.  Election deadline is Friday, October 6.

As Margaret was not at the meeting, Sterling Earhart stepped up to do the  July To Do List:

• Check stores—need to make sure you have enough for winter…60 pounds
• Treat for mites if you haven’t already done so
• Combine weak hives…it’s better to have one strong hive than no hive
• Time to get entrance reducers in
• Check out books from the library and READ!

The evening’s program was Carey going over the steps to combining hives…whether a full hive or a nuc.  He also discussed the Mountain Camp process for winter feeding.

Announcements:

• October 19—TBA Board Meeting—7:00 pm
• October 20 – 21—TBA Conference
• October 31-November 2—Short Course
• November 6—Hopefully John Pace will be here to discuss mead making

Carey and Margaret handed out the evening’s door prizes to:  Leith Anne Harmon, James Flatt, Sterling Earhart, Kim Walter, Donel King and Norma Underhill

Jimmy Cunningham drew the winner of the Hive that was up for raffle (177 tickets sold).  The winner was Beth Saddler.  Congrats!!!!

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 for refreshments and fellowship.

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
October 3, 2017