Meeting Minutes March 7, 2026

Our mission

Partnership with North Port High School

• Currently setting up apiary

• Making it wheelchair accessible

• Spring- educating teachers

• Fall- Ready for students

Programs for learning

• ESA Master Bee Keeper- a little less expensive but must travel to it

• University of Florida Master Bee Keeper

Iris Alonso Bee Inspector (Alonso Apiaries)

DNB Nurseries- another partnership for pollinator workshops on Saturdays (Special Needs Partnerships)

Need to do honey tastings from all apiaries- buy honey from everywhere we travel, bring back to share

Need waivers for farmers markets, swarms, presentations, shipping products

Liability insurance- USDA Grant $5000

Hives need to be registered, which protects against issues in your yards

Need beginner beekeeper checklist- insurance, business license, hives, etc.

Guest speaker idea: having a business pros and cons (Paula)

Need to vote on fundraising ideas (sponsor a hive- add honey as a perk to sponsorship)

Association honey for donation and fundraising

You need an epipen- prescription from PCP

Swarms vs. cutouts (We are pest specialists when doing swarms)

Red wine vinegar is a bee repellant

Need a grant list- before and after becoming a beekeeper