In the end, there has been very little change to our board lineup. I will stay on as president, Charlotte Doyle as vice president. Amanda Berndt is our secretary (currently on a warm beach but back for next week’s meeting). Jenn Mike Doelman has moved into the treasurer position vacated by the outgoing Nancy Baker. John Espadero and Murray Borer will carry on as OBA representatives, and Breck Demers will continue on as our master of technology. Dave Erling is also continuing on the board as a general member.

I gave a refresher on the county-wide bylaw issues and an update on some of the end results. Admaston Bromley will be having their meeting with Murray and Jenn as delegates this week– if you are a beekeeper in Admaston Bromley, please consider joining them and backing them up. My plea to McNab Braeside was taken less seriously because I didn’t bring a crowd with me– make sure the same doesn’t happen in your township. Brudenell Lyndoch Raglan has only implemented restrictions on hive numbers for lots smaller than .5 acres, and Madawaska Valley township removed all reference to beekeeping from their bylaws (thereby deferring to the Ontario level Bees Act). Most townships across the county are implementing the recommendations from the county plan this year so please take a look at bylaw drafts on the docket in your township before it’s too late.

The association has also agreed to spend some of our amassed membership fees on a donation to the Tech Transfer Program, and is developing a sort of scholarship for a new young beekeeper in association with Restoration Honey Bee Company and A Simpler Time Family Farm (and possibly other partners TBA). More details will be released as they become available– we can’t wait to share what we’re cooking up!

Finally, we watched a fascinating talk on honeybee nutrition. The main takeaway is this: ensure that bees have successive and diverse blooms throughout the season and constant access to water. Many micronutrients in pollen and nectar are under-studied and may be more crucial to honeybee health than previously thought, and pollen and nectar quality are highly impacted by drought and heat.

Thank you all for your support! There have definitely been some bumps in the road, but your kindness and belief in my goals and those of the association as a whole kept me from quitting when I was really seriously considering it . Please feel free to reach out with your thoughts or recommendations for the association at any time– we’re in it for you!