Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 08 January 2018

Wilson County Beekeepers President, Carey Mitchell, welcomed 66 members and guests to the first monthly meeting of 2018 on Monday, January 8 at the Ward Ag Center.   The minutes from the December meeting were approved.

Old Business Discussed:

• Christmas Dinner was wonderful…lots of great food and fellowship.  Thanks to everyone for donating to The Place.  A total of $448 was collected.
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• Dues are due…pick up your membership book if you paid dues before today’s meeting, that includes those that attended the short course.  If you have topic ideas for 2019, please let Petra know, as she is working on next year’s schedule).
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• Introduction of 2019 Officers:
  President—Carey Mitchell
  Vice President—Jessica Dodds
  Secretary/Treasurer—Petra Mitchell
  Directors—Jessica Dodds, Carey Mitchell, Candice Thompson
  Alternate Directors—Margaret Cantrell, David Thompson, and Kim Walters
  Kelcie Meador is staying on as librarian and Marla Welch will be the new newsletter editor.
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• There was a discussion back in November about donating to Pollinator Stewardship Council again, and Leonard suggested that we bring Michelle Colopy here to discuss what Pollinator Stewardship was all about.  Research shows that we would need to pay her upwards of $500 for travel expenses and Petra received a couple of emails from members saying that it wouldn’t be appropriate to have her come and ‘audition’ for a donation.  The Council’s mission statement was sent out to all email addresses.  The discussion continued and Candice Thompson made a motion that WCBA donate $500 to Pollinator Stewardship Council.  The motion was brought to vote and passed with only a few descents.
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• Sterling Earhart, Jim Murff, and Leonard Walker will have nucs for sale this year.  See them for details.
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• Bobby & Susan Carter will be bringing packages from Wilbanks.  The cost is $95.00 and orders are filling quickly.  Last call there were only 26 left for the first shipment.  You will need to call to place your order…931-239-82275

New Business Discussed:

• Kelley’s won the bid this year for the beginner kits for the Hive Grant.  Cost is $130.00 which includes screened bottom board, hive body (10 frame deep), 10 frames, 10 sheets of beeswax foundation, inner cover, entrance feeder, telescoping cover, round veil with plastic helmet, gloves, hive tool, smoker and a copy of Beekeeping in TN.  If you are interested in getting a kit, let Petra know.  Orders have to be in by January 26.  NO BEES INCLUDED
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• Jessica’s To Do List:

1. Hope you fed your bees
2. Monitor the hive entrance.  Brush off any dead bees or snow
3. If your bees are short on feed consider emergency feeding…once you start you can’t stop until pollen and nectar are being brought in
4. Consider a winter hobby…candles, wax projects, mead making
5. Order your packages/nucs and equipment
6. Repair, clean, and paint old equipment
7. Attend meetings!
8. Jessica’s book of the month recommendation “The Complete Mead Maker”

As our Guest Speaker, Barry Richards is the newly elected President of TBA and briefly promoted members join TBA.  He had a wonderful presentation on Observation Hives.

Announcements:

• January 20—NABA’s Advanced Winter Workshop.  Clarence Collison & James Tew will be the speakers.  January 20 at 8:00 am at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.  Register by January 10th–$30 including lunch.  After the 10th, the cost is $35.  Register online at nashbee.org
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• February 5—Kent Williams—Spring Build Up
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Carey was contacted by Earl Stoffel who reported that he was getting out of the bee business and has some brand new equipment he would like to donate to a new beekeeper who wasn’t financially able to purchase equipment.  Carey has his number for anyone interested.

Carey and Jessica handed out the evening’s door prizes to:  Lita Baldwin, Candice Thompson, Jeffery Holland, Kathy Bailiff, Michael Bell, and Charles Hamilton won the smoker from Mann Lake.  Congrats to the winners!!!!

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 for refreshments and fellowship.

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
January 10, 2018

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