Prince William Regional Beekeepers

Jackson County Beekeepers Association MEETING MINUTES Thurs, June 2nd, 2011, 6:30pm Western Sizzlin’ Restaurant 23980 John T. Reid Parkway (US 72) Scottsboro, Alabama

At approximately 6:30 pm, Mr. Ray Latham, President of the Jackson County (AL) Beekeepers Association, called the June meeting to order. A circumstance with the farmers’ federation caused our normal meeting location to be moved to the Western Sizzlin' Restaurant, located at 23980 John T. Reid Parkway. Ray announced that meals were being paid for courtesy of ALFA. Twenty (20) persons present are listed, as follows:

Special Guest - Mr. John Mynard, speaker. Other attendees Larry Cornelison, Tim Dalton, Keith Fletcher (Sec-Treas), Dan Hutcheson, Rodney & Marlene Koger, Jerry Latham, Ray Latham, Joe Manning, Lester Manning, Roscoe Manning, Dr. Steve Overby, Shannon Paschal, Daniel Schlender, Gene Venable (Vice-Pres), Leon Venable, Donna Williams, Scott Woodall, & Benny Wright.

Introductions:

Ray introduced Mr. John Mynard, North Alabama Bee Inspector, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, as our speaker for the evening. John gave an excellent talk on how to inspect your bees and know if they are healthy or not.

Reading of Minutes & Treasurer Report

Keith Fletcher read the minutes of the April meeting. As the minutes were read, Keith passed around the swarm call list for a second round and asked members (who were interested in being contacted) to also list their preferred location to collect swarms. Keith also passed around the attendance roster, as well as an example of a photo calendar, asking for help to take photos of members with their honeybees.

Treasurer’s Report (06/02/2011)

Two more persons paid dues for 2011, totaling $20. These funds were deposited the following day into account# 51003317154, RFCU branch on Winchester Road in Huntsville.

Previous balance - $ 190 Received cash and checks subtotaled: - $ 20 (+) Outlay Cash subtotaled: - $ 0(-) ------Total balance - $210.00 ======

Details of received cash and checks: Membership Dues Checks (Bennie Wright) $ 10.00 Cash (Steven Overby) $ 10.00 ------Sub Total - $ 20.00 ------Outlay cash is as follows: Stamps for mailing - $0 ------Sub Total - $0 ------

Old Business:

th Club Picnic in August (Aug 27th): The club decided to schedule the picnic for August 20 (a week earlier than normal) since there was a concern that college football season might already have started on Aug 27th, causing us to miss kickoff of this season’s play. Ms. Judi Weaver reported that the Scottsboro Jackson Heritage Center would be available for this venue, and suggested all attending to please bring a chair, a dessert, and a side dish. She announced it would be a potluck dinner, and Ray asked Dan Hutcheson if the farmers’ federation could provide the barbeque. Tim Dalton volunteered to provide ice and Dan Hutcheson offered to assist with bringing more ice. Swarm Call Volunteers: Keith passed around the list for updating with more names. ABA Picnic: Keith Fletcher reminded Ray Latham, who announced the Alabama Beekeepers Association state picnic was the next weekend (June 11th, 2011) at Cooters Pond in Prattville, AL. Projector & Screen Equipment: Thanks to the Jackson County Farmers Federation and their funding support, our club now has a projector (with cables) as well as a projection screen.

New Business:

Jackson County Beekeepers in the News: Ray announced that he had contacted The Daily Sentinel about writing an article on beekeeping in general in the county. This push at publicity is designed to help boost membership of our club, as well as to increase honeybee awareness throughout the community. Meeting Frequency: Members expressed a desire to meet more often, to have social meetings and gatherings on the odd months, and continue to have our business meetings on the even numbered months. Mr. Koger voiced support of this, saying that it’s easier to remember the meetings if they occur every month, vice every other month. Club Banner: Keith announced he is looking into having a banner made for our club, which would have our logo on it, as well as the words, “Jackson County Beekeepers Association” written on it. Ray indicated a large banner, measuring around 3 feet x 8 feet would be desired so as to grab the attention of curiosity seekers. Discussion on Club’s Purpose, Mission & Future: Dan Hutcheson took the floor and asked, “How many young people are getting into farming these days?” He claimed that farmers are becoming a dying breed, and suggested to encourage our youth in farming, particularly beekeeping. If we don’t do something, then you’ll see our food becoming more controlled and prices will begin to rise as a result too. Steve Overby suggested organizing ourselves to help educate children on the importance of bees, and bee farming. Most in attendance agreed on the importance of giving talks to young children, and Ms. Judi Weaver mentioned how the heritage center hosts speakers on a variety of subjects, allowing kids to come as a part of their normal school curriculum. Keith talked about a potential scholarship that could be offered to a young person interested in the study of agriculture, assuming our treasury could build up sufficient funds to make the scholarship attractive. Other members expressed ideas of having a Field Day with the bees, allowing our membership to participate at a collective apiary to conduct educational beekeeping seminars at stations outdoors. Ray Latham also suggested a cooperative program, such as purchasing DVDs or books to check out to kids to help get them started in beekeeping. ADJOURN

The meeting adjourned around 8:40 PM

The next meeting will be held on Thursday evening, August 4, 2011 at 6:30PM in the Jackson County Farmers Federation Building, 23625 John T. Reid Parkway (US Hwy 72).