At the 2022 Summer meeting, the Vermont Beekeepers Association (VBA) recognized several people for their outstanding efforts supporting beekeeping, beekeepers, or honey beesMentor/mentee pair recipients Jeff Battaglini and Charlotte Neeves, left. Recognition Committee members, Fred Putnam and Anne Bowers, right, made the presentations.. The VBA also encourages participation in the Vermont Beekeeper Certification program.

There are two new Vermont Certified Beekeepers – Deb Pasho of Hartland and Eric Duncan of Corinth. Congrats to both of you for completing the steps needed to attain this distinction!

There were three other categories of recognition: Mentor/Mentee pair, Friend of the Bees, and Mission Superhero(s):

Mentor/Mentee Pairs: Jeff Battaglini and Charlotte Neeves and Merril Tittemore and Matt Callahan for their outstanding and successful efforts at teaching, learning, and helping each other. These are examples of great initiative on the part of the mentees and excellent guidance by the mentors.

Mentor/Mentee pair recipient Matt Callahan, center. Merril Tittemore was unable to attenMission Superheroes (Outstanding initiative or leadership on a specific project or set of projects that contribute(s) to the VBA mission): Mary and Bob Stoddard for their longstanding leadership to prepare and manage the VBA booth at the very busy Tunbridge Fair each year for at least five years running! This is a complex multi-faceted effort requiring excellent organizational skills and commitment.

Friend of the Bees – Outstanding efforts in support of Vermont bees or beekeepers: Dannah Bresser for her initiative and in attaining her Vermont Beekeeper Certification, for her help on several events such as the Franklin County Field Days and the Vermont Flower Show, and for her leadership as president of the Franklin County Beekeepers Association.

Mission Superhero recipients
Mary and Bob Stoddard, right

A big CONGRATULATIONS to each of these people for efforts that we all appreciate!

Photo credits: All photos by Cheryl Dorschner.

Do you know someone who is doing good work for bees, beekeepers, or beekeeping in your area? If so, please contact one of the following people who can help you with nominations:

The VBA Recognition Committee includes Anne Bowers, Franklin County; Peggy Apple-Wood, Bennington County; Jeff Cunningham, Windham County; Jeffrey Hamelman, Windsor County; and Fred Putnam, Addison/Rutland Counties.

Friend of the Bees recipient
Dannah Bresser, center.The VBA Certification Working Group includes Heidi Meyer-Bothling, Caledonia County; Bill Mares, Chittenden County; Jeff Battaglini, Windham County; Brooke Decker, Vermont AAFM State Apiculturist/Pollinator Health Specialist; Jeanne Davis, Bennington County; James Key, Windsor County; and Fred Putnam, Addison/Rutland Counties.Here’s a sample of the memento hive tool received by each person.