2024 Winter Meeting Recognition Recipients
The Vermont Beekeepers Association recognized a number of people for their contributions to beekeeping at the VBA Winter Meeting in Hinesburg this past weekend. (Previous recipients are listed here.)
Congratulations to all recipients and those nominated in the following categories:
Certificate of Appreciation presented by Past Pres., Andrew Munkres to Kim Greenwood, former President of the VBA Board of Directors for three years, Immediate Past President and Advisory Board member for several more years.
Certificate of Appreciation presented by Past Pres., Andrew Munkres (right) to Jack Rath, former President of the VBA Board of Directors for three years, Immediate Past President for three years, and currently serving as a member of the VBA Advisory Board.
Gib Geiger (left) being presented a 2016 Beekeeper of the Year memento plaque by VBA Recognition Committee presenter, Fred Putnam as a memento of his recognition as 2016 Beekeeper of the Year.
Outstanding Efforts on Honeybee Education
Beginning Beekeeping Class instructors (from left to right) Mike Willard, Bill Mares, Scott Wilson, VBA Recognition Committee presenter, Peggy Apple Woods, Russ Aceto, and Deborah Rubin. Missing from this photo are Don Gilbert, Rick Stoner and Todd Haire.
Access CVU (Champlain Valley Union High School) is a leading community education program in Vermont providing affordable in-person and online classes for all ages and every interest.
For over 20 years, the ACCESS CVU program has offered a beginning beekeeping class. Over the years, this class has been taught by VBA members Deborah Rubin, Mike Willard, Rick Stoner, Todd Haire, Scott Wilson, Russ Aceto, Don Gilbert, and Bill Mares.
More than 1,000 new or prospective beekeepers have taken this class, and many have joined the ranks of the VBA.
Outstanding Efforts on Honeybee Education
To: VBA Board of Directors member at large, James Key, aka Farmer James Apiculture
For several years, James has written for or been featured in places such Bee Culture Magazine, Edible Vermont Magazine, Randolph Herald, Seven Days, Vermont Public, and our own VBA website.
He has given educational talks on beekeeping at places like Vermont Law School, Middlebury College, and at local schools, harvest festivals, Rotary Club, and library events.
For the past two years, James has represented the VBA in the Vermont Fresh Network at Shelburne Farms and Spruce Peak in Stowe.
James also breeds Varroa and cold resistant bees, makes award winning creamed honey, and he’s described as a “devoted mentor and educator.”
James was not able to attend the winter meeting.
Mission Superhero
Past VBA Librarian, Marilyn Post
Special hive tool presented to Mission Superhero, Marylin Post, by VBA Recognition Committee presenter, Jeffrey Hamelman.
Given for: Outstanding initiative or leadership on a specific project or set of projects that contribute(s) to the VBA mission.
Marilyn served as VBA Librarian for more than 10 years during which time she transported the entire VBA library to and from her home in Grand Isle to and from our club and semi-annual VBA membership meetings all over the state to allow easier access to beekeeping books for our members.
She has kept up with the many new releases and that has been an immense help to our beekeepers trying to educate themselves.
Recipients of the Mission Superhero and Outstanding Efforts on Honey Bee Education categories, received a specially labeled hive tool and one year membership to the VBA.
