| The Toe Cane Beekeepers Educational Apiary continues to grow as a community resource for beekeeping and pollinator education. Mountain Air Community Fund provided funding for the new picnic tables, helping expand the pavilion’s use for educational programs, training, and community visits for years to come. The Toe Cane Beekeepers Association recently added durable, commercial-grade picnic tables to the educational apiary pavilion. The tables create a welcoming and lasting gathering space for members, visitors, educational groups, and community organizations interested in learning about honey bees and pollinators. Mountain Air Community Fund Supports the Apiary Mountain Air Community Fund provided funding for the new picnic tables. The tables will expand the pavilion’s use for educational programs, training, and community visits for years to come. The educational apiary is a partnership among the Toe Cane Beekeepers Association, Mayland Community College, Mountain Air Community Fund, and the local community. Mayland Community College provides the apiary site and has also provided financial support for the pavilion and apiary development. Mountain Air Community Fund has contributed funding for the apiary startup, pavilion, and new picnic tables. Local businesses and community members also support the apiary through donations and participation in TCBA fundraising events and programs. TCBA members contribute bees, equipment, expertise, funding, and volunteer time. A Community Resource for Pollinator Education Together, these partners are creating a lasting community resource for hands-on education about honey bees, beekeeping, agriculture, and pollinators. Recent visitors have included members of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension 4-H Bee Club and Sue Wasserman, Travel and Tourism Director for Yancey County. Mayland Community College has also become an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program. The program encourages educational campuses to support pollinators through habitat, education, and responsible land-management practices. Its goals include creating healthy pollinator habitat, increasing native plants, reducing pesticide use, and promoting pollinator education. Pollinators play an important role in both our environment and food supply. About three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. Hands-On Beekeeping Education Educational activities at the Toe Cane Beekeepers Educational Apiary include hands-on training for new beekeepers working alongside experienced TCBA members. The apiary also offers more advanced instruction, including colony management and queen rearing. These programs help members build practical beekeeping skills while strengthening the local beekeeping community. TCBA Honey Supports Educational Programs The Mayland Earth to Sky Park Gift Shop has recently begun carrying TCBA honey. Visitors can purchase local honey at the gift shop, with proceeds helping support the educational apiary and its programs. Visit the Apiary or Invite TCBA to Your Organization Community organizations, schools, and other groups interested in visiting the apiary or having a TCBA member speak at an upcoming program or event are encouraged to contact the association. For information about TCBA, arranging an apiary visit, or requesting a speaker, email beek@toecanebeekeepers.net or visit www.ToeCaneBeekeepers.net. The Toe Cane Beekeepers Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association dedicated to helping bees and beekeepers flourish in our neighboring communities through education, outreach, cooperation, and mentoring. Photo: Group at the Toe Cane Beekeepers Educational Apiary with NC State Apiarist Lewis Cauble. |
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