Jennifer Keller, NC State Apiculture Program Extension & Outreach Coordinator, will be the guest speaker at the Toe Cane Beekeepers Association’s meeting on Tuesday, May 26, and will host a hands-on workshop in the TCBA’s Educational Apiary at Mayland the following day, Wednesday the 27th.

At the meeting, which is open to the public, Keller will address why beekeepers often panic and buy a new queen when they don’t have to. She will also focus on what beekeepers can do to rely less on outside resources to keep their apiary productive and growing. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. with a bee community social. Light refreshments will be served. The official meeting and presentation will start at 6:30 p.m. 

The all-day workshop on Wednesday will provide attendees with practical skills and a deeper understanding of bee biology and queen production while helping strengthen the long-term health and sustainability of their colonies. Topics will include colony development, bee biology, different approaches to queen rearing, recognizing properly aged larvae, swarm management, making splits, improving local bee genetics, and practical hive stewardship techniques to help every beekeeper better understand and manage their colonies. 

The workshop is limited to 20 attendees, and preregistration is required. Members attend for free, while non-members are required to pay $20 and will receive a free membership. Attendees who donate $50 or more will also receive a T-shirt.  Participants should plan to be in the apiary from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and bring their own lunch, beverages, and bee suits.

Click to register for the workshop.

Keller has worked with Dr. David Tarpy’s NC State University research program since 2023, coordinating field research and working extensively in honey bee breeding and queen production. She spent 20 years as the apiculture technician for the program and was recently recognized as the recipient of the Roger A. Morse Award.  The award is presented annually to an individual for outstanding contributions in apiculture teaching, extension, and regulatory service.

The Toe Cane Beekeepers Association is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit promoting sustainable beekeeping practices in Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey counties. The association supports the beekeeping community by encouraging cooperation among local beekeepers and through hands-on training, mentoring, guest speakers, and classroom lectures. Click here to join or renew your membership.