FEATURE
Pollinators Bee Club
Beekeeping enthusiasts come together to share knowledge , experience
Story by Glenda Sanders Contributing Writer
Meeting photos by Terrel Clark
By passing along their knowledge to beginner beekeepers , seasoned apiarists with the Pollinators Bee Club in Quitman are helping to increase the honey bee populations throughout the region . The club was formed earlier this year with the purpose of helping those new to the beekeeping hobby get their colonies established . Quitman beekeeper Steve Neely , who organizes the monthly meetings , has been pleasantly surprised by the turnout .
“ We typically have 20 to 25 in attendance and sometimes as many as 35 or 40 people ,” he said . “ Some are newbies , and some are experienced beekeepers with 35 or 40 years of experience . Surprisingly , we have had several women beekeepers show up .”
Attendees come not just from Clarke County but Lauderdale , Jones , Jasper and Wayne counties , and even Alabama .
“ For most of us , beekeeping is just a hobby ,” said Neely , who began beekeeping eight years ago and manages between 25 to 30 boxes of bees . At each meeting , Neely lines up a seasoned or master beekeeper to
16 • MERIDIAN LIFE