Vermont Names Pollinator Specialist
The Agency of Agriculture is pleased to welcome Ms. Brooke Decker as Vermont’s Pollinator Health Specialist. This is Vermont’s first, full-time, pollinator health position and was created by Act 35 in the 2019 legislative session. In this role, Ms. Decker will develop comprehensive strategies to improve the health of Vermont’s pollinators. Ms. Decker will guide the state’s apiary regulatory program, as well as collaboratively develop outreach & education materials and state policy to protect and improve the health of all pollinators in Vermont.
VBA @ VT Fresh!
VBA's Scott and Valarie Wilson, along with Bill Mares, provided honey tasting samples during this event in support of the VBA and beekeeping.
The Vermont Fresh Network’s signature event is the Annual Forum dinner, which brings over 75 chefs and food producers to the shores of Lake Champlain to present the best meal of the summer at the Shelburne Farms Coach Barn.
Now in its 23rd year, the Annual Forum Dinner took place on Sunday, August 4th.
VBA's New Recognition Program
The Vermont Beekeeper’s Association created the Vermont Beekeeper Recognition Program (formerly the Beekeeper of the Year Award) to recognize and celebrate the 
contributions of Vermont beekeepers and others who support beekeeping in Vermont and have provided outstanding service to the VBA. The intent is to recognize lifetime achievement rather than contributions in a single year and to encourage and retain membership in the VBA or other supporting entities.
The nomination form is available to current VBA members and describes the categories of recognition. You may submit as many entries as you like and entries will be retained for two years.
Deadlines for nominations:
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April 1 for Summer meeting recognition categories: (Outstanding efforts on honeybee education, Mission superhero)
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November 1 for Winter meeting recognition categories: (Beekeeper of the Year, Outstanding efforts by a Mentor and Mentee, Friend of the Bees)
Complete category descriptions along with the online nomination form are available on the VBA website in the Members Only area. (Login required)
Certified Vermont Beekeepers
Dannah Beauregard officially became a Certified Vermont Beekeeper July 13 at the Vermont Beekeepers Association summer meeting. Six of 
eight VBA members passed the written test that day and have two years to meet hive inspection and community outreach components. More than 25 VBA members are certified, according to Bill Mares and Ross Conrad (not pictured), who administer the program.
Summer Meeting 2019
A very few scenes from the 2019 VBA Summer Meeting in Townshend on the 13th.
From left: Dr. Humberto Boncristiani, VBA Recording Secretary Fred Putnam presents Cheryl Dorschner with the new VBA Mission Superhero award for her work organizing the VBA booth at the 2019 Vermont Flower Show, Windham County Beekeepers President Jeff Battaglini (holding the mic) and WCB Raffle organizer Jill Dean at left, and Bill Mares and Scott Wilson's arm presenting Dannah Beauragard with her Vermont Certified Beekeeper patch. A good day all around!
Special Subscription Offer
VBA Members may take advantage of a special subscription offer to the Mother Earth News arranged by the Windham County Beekeepers (WCB).
WCB arranged this for the recent VBA Summer meeting in Townshend. To take advantage of this discount, please login to the site and look under Publications in the Members Only menu.