Wilson County Beekeepers

Meeting Minutes – Monday, 11 September 2023

Wilson County Beekeepers met at the Ward Ag Center on Monday, September 11, 2023 with 74 members and guests in attendance.  President Carey Mitchell called the meeting to order.  The minutes of the July 24th meeting were approved with the checkbook balance standing at $xxxx.xx.  This amount reflects the $2,088.00 that was collected by the Fair from the sale of honey, wax, and raffle tickets for the basket that was won by Jackie Pair from Hermitage.  So after we deduct the cost of the purchased honey and bears/lids, and adding back the cost of left-over bears, our net profit is xxxx.xx.

Old Business Discussed:

• The Fair has come and gone.  There was a total attendance of 739,315, which was 36,880 less than last year.  That was mostly due to high temperatures.  A sincere thank you to everyone that brought in entries, donated honey and frames for extracting, brought observation hives, and donated their time at the booth.  Without you, the Honey Show would not have been successful.  There were a total of 32 volunteers with 316 volunteer hours.  Honey Show statistics and winners were passed around.  There were 58 folks showing interest in the upcoming Short Course in October.
• The Tennessee Honey Show had a great showing for this being their first year.  Eight WCBA members entered the show and won 24 ribbons.  The venue offered $408.00 in premiums and awarded $252.00’
• The TBA Board Meeting is Thursday, October 5 at MTSU.  Every TBA member is welcome to attend, but only delegates are allowed to speak.
• TBA Fall Conference is October 6 & 7 and David gave a brief update.

New Business Discussed:                                               

• This year’s book to the public libraries is The Backyard Beekeeper.  Jenny Galles volunteered to deliver the copy to the Lebanon library, and Shelly Flint will deliver the one to Mt. Juliet.  Petra has already delivered Watertown’s copy

Leonard’s Monthly To-Do

• Treat for mites, if necessary.
• Check for honey stores and feed if needed.
• Put entrance reducers in, if not already done.  There is a lot of robbing going on..
• Remove any empty boxes and consolidate frames
• Remove and repair damaged equipment
• Start thinking about next year
• Kent will cover anything I’ve left out

What’s blooming at our house that the bees are working:

• Boneset
• Bosc Elm
• Catnip
• Chinese Sumac
• Crepe Myrtle
• Crownbeard
• Garlic Chives
• Golden Rod
• Horseweed
• Ironweed
• Leaf Cut
• Magnolia
• Mexican Bamboo
• Partridge Pea
• Ragweed
• Seven Sons
• Smartweed
• Virginia Copperleaf
• Vitex
• Yellow wingstem

Program:  Kent Williams had an informative program on winter preparations

Announcements:

• October 2—Jay Williams—Become a Better Bee Detective
• October 5—TBA Board Meeting
• October 6 & 7—TBA Fall Conference—Murfreesboro
• October 23 & 25—Short Course

Petra mentioned a Dessert Auction Fund Raiser for Cole Joines will be held at the Ward Ag Center in the East/West building Thursday, September 28.  She asked if anyone who would be willing to bake something to let her know so she can inform the group sponsoring the event.

Door Prizes:

• Frame Rest—Russ Davis
• Vitex Plants—Trisha Davis, Petra Mitchell, Lucy Freeman, Leonard Walker, Chuck Benson, and Heather Kitchen
• Mouse Guard—Beth Saddler
• Veil—Ed Schwark
• Honey Candy—Adelynn Norgord
• 6 month ABJ Subscription—Lout Taylor
• Wounded Warrior 2024 calendar—David Cuen

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The meeting adjourned at 9:00 for refreshments & fellowship.       

The Club’s current checkbook balance is $xxxx

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Respectfully submitted:  Petra Mitchell, Secretary/Treasurer
Wilson County Beekeepers Association
September 12, 2023

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