News & Events
"Build a Box" Day
The "Build a Box" day was so much more than we could have ever imagined! We had over 50 beekeepers from all over the state of NC and TN come to help assemble over 400 bee hive boxes and nearly 3,000 frames! The assembly line production was in full gear, from the box building, to the frame assembly using multiple air compressors and staple guns, to even the painting of all those boxes! We had it rocking as you can see from the photos!
There are just too many people to thank in this single post - but a big shout out to Rossman Apiaries and Miller Bee Supply for helping with all of the wooden ware. Thanks to Parker-Tie Hardware in West Jefferson for donating all of the wood glue, paint, staples and nails! We even want to thank both Chick-fil-A in Wilkes and Boone for donating lunch and snacks to the group!
We delivered dozens of hives to beekeepers in the area who lost hives during the storm, and we still have several left - if you know someone who lost hives - either in flooding or wind - please reach out to us and we would love to assist you! We love our beekeeping families and we love our honeybees! Thank You!
Sugar Sugar Sugar!!!
The Ashe County Beekeepers and our friends from the surrounding counties needed sugar to help feed our bees that have been devastated by the recent storm. The people have responded! We not only collected hundreds of pounds of sugar locally, today we received a generous gift of 8,000 pounds of sugar from a Beekeeping company located in Manning SC! Kutik's NUCs and Queens graciously delivered a truckload of sugar this morning, and we have lots of sugar to get out to our fellow beekeepers.
You do NOT have to have lost bees to receive this sugar, and you do NOT have to be from Ashe County. We are working hard to assist our beekeeping friends in Wilkes, Watauga, Avery and Alleghany counties as well. If you are a beekeeper or know of one in need, please share this information with them and ask them to contact Todd Swanson with the Ashe County Beekeepers!
Thanks friends for helping keep our honeybees alive this season!
"Mite Check" Seminar
The Ashe County Beekeepers had an awesome turn out for our "Mite Check Seminar"! Special thanks to our Master Beekeeper Jim Rash and local commercial beekeeping Jeff Brooks for all the assistance and hands on training performing "sugar shaker tests" and "alcohol wash tests" to determine the varroa mite level of 6 different bee hives today! I think we all learned a lot, and we got some excellent instruction on treatment for mites as well! Fun was had by all - and thanks to all of those who showed up today!
5th Graders Hear the Buzz About Polination
A Super Big Shout Out to the Ashe County Beekeeper friends who came out to teach about pollination to all of the 5th graders from Ashe County Schools!
I want to thank Master Beekeepers Jim Rash and Hank Reid, and beekeepers Carrie Vargas and Cindy Strickland for taking the time to share the importance of beekeeping/pollination in not only Ashe County, but our world as a whole! What a great time and perfect day for a field trip!!! Thanks again team!!!
Master Beekeeper Jim Rash presented with Lifetime Achievement Award
Former President Wayne Pitts and current President Todd Swanson present Master Beekeeper, Jim Rash with the prestigious “Ashe County Beekeeper Lifetime Achievement Award” at our recent meeting.
Jim has been instrumental in the education and mentoring program in association with the Wilkes Community College for years.
Congratulations Jim!