Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 6 February 2023

Wilson County Beekeepers’ president Carey Mitchell called the February 6, 2023 meeting to order at the Ward Ag Center with 81 members and guests in attendance.  The minutes of the January meeting were approved with the checkbook balance reported at $xxxxx.  A copy of the financial report was available for anyone interested.
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Old Business Discussed:

• Bees for sale…Al & Lou Taylor still have packages available but nucs were already spoken for. The same with Leonard and Sterling…no nucs.  John Hancock did say he will have nucs and queens available.
• Dues are due…new books are in
• March 7 & 8 we will be hosting the Inspector Class with Mike Studer. If you are interested in attending, let Petra know.
• WCBA was well represented at the NABA Advanced Workshop this past weekend.
• The Pick TN Conference is February 16-18 at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, TN. The cost is $150 for all three days.  Registration is available at the TBA website
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New Business Discussed:                                                             

• Received word that Frank Fox, a long-time member, passed away on February 5. Details for his services (Celebration of Life) will be forthcoming
• New t-shirts are in…update your wardrobe. As always, shirts and hats are $10.00 each.
• The Refresher Course is scheduled for Saturday, February 25 from 9 until noon in the West Building. Bring your smokers and lighters.  Let Petra know if you are planning on attending.  Great information for beginners.
• TBA Board meeting will be Saturday, February 25 from 2 until 4 in the East Building. Any TBA member is welcome to attend.  Our delegates, Jenny, Jessica, & Jamie will be there to represent WCBA
• Received notification from Pigeon Mounty Trading Company that they are offering a three-percent rebate to the association for purchases during 2023. Just be sure to let them know you are with Wilson County Beekeepers at checkout
• The swarm list was on hand for additions and updates

Leonard’s Monthly To-Do

• Check hives on a warm day for a laying queen, brood or problems. 60 plus today thru Thursday
• Check honey stores. A queen will lay around the clock if the temperature is over 50 degrees at night
• Feed if necessary. Watch for incoming pollen.  Mine were yesterday and today.  With increased brood and a cold snap, bees will cluster on the brood and not move to honey stores.
• Consider combining weak hives; select the better of the two queens before combining.
• Remember, feeding strong hives could result in an early swarm season
• Weather predictions from now until March show more fifties and sixties
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What’s blooming (at our house) that the bees are working:

• dandelion
• flowering quince are on the verge of bloom
• hellebores
• magnolia
• Maples
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Book Review:  Beekeeping with 25 Hives by Grant Gillard…John Hancock recommended any of this’s author’s books
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Program:  Clarence Collison had a fabulous interactive program on Investigating Bee Hive Issues.
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Announcements:

• February 16-18—Pick TN Conference
• February 25—Beginning Beekeeping Refresher
• March 6—Bee Pests & Diseases with Mike Studer
• March 7 & 8—Inspector Class with Mike Studer (6:00 – 10:00) Registration Required
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Door Prizes:

• WCBA t-shirt—Katie Wilson
• Hat/Veil Combo—Betsy Morgan
• Hive Tool—Robin Majors
• Boardman feeder—Bill Rourke
• J Hook Hive Tool—Dwayne Smith
• Honey Candy—Caryn Boles
• Smoker Fuel—Doug Davis
• ‘Grateful’ sign—Ed Schwark
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The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm for refreshments & fellowship.

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $—————-

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
February 7, 2023

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