Club Membership Renewals:  With the new year, comes time to renew club memberships (See Registration link on right side of this page.).  2019 was the first year in which our membership fees and donations exceeded our expenses. We used the extra income to purchase some club equipment, including two oxalic acid vaporizers available for club member use.   

The club is growing rapidly, and we have plans to expand outreach along with purchasing more equipment and books for members to use in this year. One of our main goals is to provide members with the equipment, tools, and training needed for us to become a truly self-sufficient and sustainable club. Each year we get a little bit closer to that goal. 

Thank you to everyone that has already renewed their membership for 2020; we appreciate your continued support. 

PSA: Prophylactic Oxalic Acid Treatment:  Right at the beginning of the year is an excellent time to do prophylactic mite treatment using oxalic acid vaporization. The club has two OA vaporizers that anyone is welcome to borrow. Please send Nate an email if you’re interested in treating your hives during this period. With the new vaporizer it takes about 30 minutes to treat a yard of 8 hives (as long as you have an extension cord or access to an outlet). With the old vaporizer it takes about 10 minutes per hive to treat. 

Upcoming Club Meetings: The January meeting we will have Carol Ivory, a Master Gardener, speak to us about native plants that are beneficial to our bees as well as other native pollinators. In February we will have Beth McClelland, our area’s representative from VDACS, talk about the state inspection program and hive diseases and pests. She will also expose us to the spotted lantern fly, a new invasive species we should be on the lookout for.