We're All About Bees!
Whether you're a veteran beekeeper or just starting out in the world of bees, join our friendly club and meet new friends, hear engaging speakers and learn more about the fascinating world of honey bees.
Winners of Honey Contest Are Announced
How Sweet It Is! Three members of Toe Cane Beekeepers Association won bragging rights to the best tasting honey in the Mitchell-Avery-Yancey County area after hosting the 4th annual Mayland Black Jar Honey Tasting Contest on October 3, at Homeplace Brewery in Burnsville.
Winner first prize was Moral Bee Company, beekeeper Michelle Mejia, from Burnsville, second prize went to Chestnut Mountain Farm, beekeeper Susan Spruill, from Little Switzerland, and third place was won by Five Apple Farm, beekeeper Leigh Knott.
This year’s winning honey produced by Michelle Mejia's bees was a surprise since it came from a recent goldenrod bloom. Goldenrod is an important plant to honeybees because it provides a highly nutritious nectar and pollen which the bees use to survive the winter. Both the pollen and honey are bright, florescent yellow in color. Beekeepers rarely harvest goldenrod honey because of its importance as winter food stores and because most beekeepers will tell you it smells like sweaty gym socks. However, when asked why she harvested it, Michelle noted that she was curious about how it might taste, given its smell, and was surprised to find it had a pleasant flavor, so she bottled some just for the contest to see how it would do. In addition to boasting rights, the Toe Cane Beekeepers Association will sponsor Moral Bee Company by covering its entry fees for the International Black Jar Honey Tasting Contest hosted by the Center for Honeybee Research in Asheville.
TCBA is a non-profit organization that promotes the art and science of beekeeping, encourages cooperation among local beekeepers, contributes to the advancement of education about beekeeping and its related activities, and offers related support to our members and neighboring communities.
Monthly meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday February through July. Guest speakers appear at each regular meeting, which begin at 6 p.m. with a Pot Luck Dinner. Most meetings are held at the United Community Bank in Burnsville. All meetings are open to the public. You don't have to be a member to attend.
Members of Toe Cane Beekeepers can find our bylaws, meeting minutes and other information on club activities, leadership information and more by clicking on the "More" link below All minutes of meetings are posted a few days after the meetings are held.
Need help with a swarm? Want to check out a book, video or other materials from our club library? Maybe you'd like to borrow the club extracting equipment. Or you might want take a look at some helpful links to vendors of bee equipment, local attractions, state beekeeping resources. Click "More" to access our resources.
Honey Contest Winner Michelle Mejia pictured with her family