Our May meeting will be Tuesday, May 25th at 7:00.  The topic will be Varroa Mites and Treatments with Scott Venable as our speaker.  Scott is the Monroe County Beekeeping Association President, a Tennessee Master Beekeeper and a local inspector for Monroe County.  This will be a very informative and interesting meeting and we look forward to seeing you there.   Meet at the Athens AgCentral Farmers Co-Op - Suzi Drumright ..read more

Looking for something to do Saturday, May 15th? Join the Cherokee Beekeepers for a Beekeeping field day. Hive inspection starts at 11:00 a.m.  You’ll need to wear a veil to join the fun. Call Jim Gentry at 423-263-2248 for location. If no answer leave a message and he will return your call. See ya Saturday.  ..read more

 WOW! Cherokee is having their first 2021 meeting Tuesday, April, 27th. Meeting will be at the Ag Central Farmers CoOp in Athens. Start time is 7:00pm . Come early if you like. Meeting room will be set for social distancing Topics: 10 Mistakes Often Made by New Beekeepers.              I've Installed my Package Bees " Now What?"             Why Split a Perfectly Good Hive? Information about May 15th Field Day will be covered. COME EARLY AND BRING A FRIEND ..read more

 The Cherokee Beekeepers Association has extended the deadline for bee packages.  Checks must be received by March 1, 2021.   Payment should be mailed to Cherokee Beekeepers Association, P.O. Box 71, Athens, TN 37371. The packages will be Italian bees and will come from Willbanks Apiaries in Claxton, GA as they did last year. Cost will be $125.00 for a 3# package with a marked queen. We expect delivery on March 27th, weather permitting.  Pickups will be similar to last year with the location to be determined closer to delivery.   I hope everyone is staying safe and hea ..read more

 If you are considering starting beekeeping and are looking for good advice the Cherokee Beekeepers Association (CBA) ask that you read "Beekeeping In Tennessee"*. This booklet is published by the University of Tennessee, Agricultural Extension Department. The information below came from that publication. CBA will work to post timely advice through the coming months.  CBA Leadership Team  Beginning Beekeeping Basics  • Start small. Two colonies is an ideal number for an inexperienced person to keep for one or two years.  • Expand as your experience and confidence grow ..read more

 We are going to offer bee packages again this year.  This is one of the top benefits we offer to members.  The packages will be Italian bees and will come from Wilbanks Apiaries in Claxton, GA as they did last year. Cost will be $125.00 for a 3# package with a marked queen. We expect delivery on March 27th, weather permitting.  Pickups will be similar to last year with the location to be determined closer to delivery.  Payment is due by January 31, 2021 and should be mailed to Cherokee Beekeepers Association, PO Box 71, Athens, TN 37371.    ..read more

 TBA MEMBERS The latest TBA Hive Tool email came out 1/18. Lots of great information. You might want to read it then forward to a beekeeping friend ..read more

 WINTER CAUTION! Queen laying has increased Brood is expanding Winter stores being consumed Increased moisture due to more activity EQUALS-Possible starvation and/or wet bees WHAT TO DO-Check stores(when bees are active). Feed dry or patty food as needed. NO LIQUID FOOD! Check for excessive condensation on top of frames. Remove moisture with a paper or cloth towel. Increase ventilation as needed. Additional helpful recommendation are welcome. BEEKEEPERS HELPING BEEKEEPERS ..read more

Because the Co-Op will be closed when our packages arrive and we will not have space there to set up a drive- through for pick-up. We have permission, from Michael’s restaurant, to set it up in the restaurant’s back parking lot. The restaurant is directly across from the Co-Op ..read more

Package bees should arrive this Saturday, March 28th. Make sure your hives are ready, assembled, painted and placed where you will be installing your bees. The hardest thing about installation is getting the feeder can out. Here’s a couple of things that works.  A suction cup or magnet works great! Outside of that it should be a breeze. If you need help! CALL YOUR MENTOR or AN INSPECTOR! MIGHT NEED TO STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE. WE NEED TO SUPPORT SOCIAL DISTANCING.  JUST LINE UP LIKE YOU’RE GOING TO A SATURDAY DRIVE-IN THEATRE. IT WILL BE FUN ..read more