Jackson County Beekeepers Association Welcomes You
Your local source in Jackson County NC for education and support in beekeeping!
March 15
Dry Ridge Bee Supply Education Day!
Our March meeting is a field trip to hear David Cowart, a representative from the honeybee commission, who'll discuss installing packages and nucs, as well as spring management of hives. Lunch is provided, so please call Dry Ridge Bee Supply at (828) 484-2997 to RSVP, and tell them you're with the JC Beekeepers. For more info, click below.
What We Offer
Monthly Meetings
We meet monthly at the Jackson County Extension Office, 876 Skyland Drive, Sylva NC
Meetings begin at 5:30 with an open discussion period. From 6:00-7:00 we usually have a speaker, followed by a question and answer period.
Most meetings also streamed via ZOOM. Here is the access info:
Meeting ID
933 6135 8713
Security Passcode
JACKSONBEE
Link https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/93361358713?pwd=bnJqMWt4S1QvcUF3Tm5BVUZraUhBdz09
2025 Meeting Schedule and Topics
Jan. 4 No Meeting
Feb. 6 "Swarm Control and Catching Swarms"
March 15 (Saturday)Educational Trip to Dry Ridge Bee Supply. Scroll down to their website!
Mar. 22 and Mar. 29 BEE SCHOOL CANCELLED.
April 26 Greening Up the Mtns. booth (MORE INFO TO COME)
May 1 "Making Skin Products from the Hive and Nature"
June 5 "Treating for Mites and Other Pests"
July 3 No Meeting
Aug. 7 "When and How to Extract Honey"
Sept. 4 "Feeding and Downsizing"
Oct. 2 "Planting for Pollinators
Nov. 6 "Benefits of All Parts of the Hive"
Dec. 4 BeeJolly Gathering
Community Outreach
We host tables at local events like "Greening Up the Mountains" and sponsor community education at the Sylva Public Library and other venues.
Jackson County Beekeepers Association is dedicated to putting our Jackson County community first. Our Community Outreach program extends from schools to community food providers.
Membership Benefits
Individual annual dues are $10, or $15 for a household. Children under 18 can join free!
New beekeeper or experienced apiarist, everyone can benefit from the information, education and mentoring offered by the Jackson County Beekeepers. Educational programs are presented during each monthly meeting. In addition, connect with other regional beekeepers to discuss issues affecting hive health, honey production and product innovations. The club even has equipment for members to use!
Jackson County Beekeepers Association works hard to adapt to the needs of our members, providing speakers and sources for materials based on the club's current needs.
Assistance with Threats to Honeybees
Our Goal is to Help!
Threats to honeybees include other insects, animals, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, herbicides and loss of foraging areas due to development. Colony Collapse Disorder also continues to be a problem in North America . We are working to help the honeybee one hive at a time.
Friends of JCBA
Sources for information as well as for supplies and live bees
NC State Bee Inspector for our region:
Lewis Cauble 828/230-4544
Lewis is available by text or phone for questions, and can even schedule a trip to your apiary!
Dry Ridge Bee Supply
A great source for bees and supplies, located in Weaverville, NC. They also offer equipment rentals, and host free education days one Saturday a month!
Check out their website below.
https://www.dryridgebeesupply.com/
Appalachian Apiaries
Located in Franklin, NC, Appalachian Apiaries sells bees and hive equipment too! Their owner, David Kirkland, is a great source of knowledge on beekeeping.
Check out their website below.
KT's Orchard and Apiary
Contact: Howard and Kathy Taylor
Address: 195 Pigeon Ford Road Canton, NC, 28716
Website: www.ktsorchard.com
Live bee orders by phone only.
Please Call (706)782-6722
Package Bees and Nucs available for pickup only.
No shipping or delivery of Package Bees or Nucs.
Local Bee Schools
The Macon County Bee Club is also hosting a Bee School this year. There are two weekends from which to choose: Feb. 24 and Mar.2. For more information, contact Katie Wall at kdwall@gmail.com
Help with swarms and unwanted honeybees
Do you have a swarm that needs to be dealt with? DON'T call an exterminator!
Jackson County Beekeepers often can help you catch a swarm and relocate it. When we are unable to catch it (due to extreme height, or difficult circumstances), we can most likely help you find someone who can.
The following people can be contacted for help with a honeybee swarm:
David Massengill (919)820-0319
Emily Taylor (910)527-5364
Neal Andrews (336)312-8649
There are right and wrong ways to catch swarms. If you'd like to learn more, here's an article to start with.
Contact Us
Want to get involved with Jackson County Beekeepers Association? Contact a member of the Jackson County Beekeepers' Board:
President: Emily Taylor
Vice-President: David Massengill
Secretary: Whitney Kreiling
Treasurer: Kristin Kane
