Attendees: Nathan, David, Gail, Bryan, Jordan, Camy

2025 Goals

  • Expand the apiary
    • Establish an apiary committee – Done! Bryan, Nathan, and Jordan are on the committee.
      • Bryan is the committee chair
      • Nathan will continue to lead the grant funding management
      • Jordan is Apiary Manager – TBD exactly what the role includes, so far includes maintenance of bees and hives, potential to also include managing volunteers to maintain the apiary grounds
      • Needs a budget – current NTE is about $1,000, Jordan will track what is spent and seek more if needed
    • Volunteers, especially Freedom Farmers
      • Jordan will work with Bryan to create and build a list of volunteers to support the apiary
    • Education 
      • Committee will discuss timing for using the apiary for education on installing nucs and packages and making splits
    • Other expansion plans include signage, a storage shed, swarm traps, a dome and potential for making and selling local queens.
  • Sell more honey, especially at the Thurston County Fair (Thursday July 31- Sunday August 3)
    • Want to get more people to bring their honey to sell (could have sold a ton more last year)
    • Club can also have honey ready to sell if member honey runs out
    • Move honey tasting inside the bee booth
    • Fair planning during the June board meeting
  • Membership –  send out the renewal postcards and do quarterly member spotlights

2025 Budget

  • Income comes from:
    • Inspire Olympia grant
    • Class dues
    • Membership dues
    • Rental fees
    • Honey sales
  • OBA expenses include
    • Apiary expansion (depends on grant funds)
    • Apprentice level course teachers – $300 per teacher per course
    • Other education expenses (certificates, mailing, patches) – $150
    • Books – $500
    • Equipment – $500
    • Speakers – $1,350
    • Marketing – $500
    • Honey (honey, jars, and lids) – $500
    • Rent – $1,875
    • Communications (internet, phone, PO Box) – $900
    • WASBA – $105
    • Insurance – $500
    • Bee Booth/TCF – $150

2025 Schedule

  • Quarterly board meetings
    • Annual planning – Saturday, Jan 18th 
    • Q2 – Thursday, April 17th 
    • Q3 – Thursday, June 26th
    • Q4 – Thursday, October 16th
  • Beginning Beekeeping Class
    • Saturday, Jan 18th
    • Sunday, September 7th 
  • Apprenticeship Beekeeping Course
    • March 8 – April 12
      • Include hands-on at the Apiary in April
    • Fall class timing options; September 13 – October 18, October 4 – November 8 
  • Public calendar on the website