So much is new in this new year!

Happy New Year beekeepers! I'm still a little stunned that we've plowed through the holiday season and are embarking on a new year already. My parents were not kidding when they said that time is like a sled ride - the years fly by as we hold on as best as we can while picking up speed. I hope you had a joyful holiday and are looking forward to all that 2024 has to bring.

You elected a new Board of Directors for 2024, and I am honored to have your trust to serve as President again this year. The members of the board who are serving with me have a wide-range of experience in beekeeping, and I know they will all do an outstanding job in helping to ensure that we enable the HCBA mission to the best of our ability. When you see any of your Board of Directors at upcoming meetings, please be sure to introduce yourself and let us know if you have any suggestions for speakers, outreach events, and the like - we'd love to hear from you! Even better, we'd love it if you would be able to assist with any of the volunteer roles we have open, so please let us know if you can help.

I also want to take a moment to share that the extensive updates that we have been making to the Beginning Beekeeping Course have been completed! We're excited to pilot the new course starting January 31st. The updates were a true labor of love, and there was (and is) a whole colony of members who have helped and are helping to ensure a successful pilot. I am grateful to each and every one who has contributed to this effort. If you've not yet signed up to mentor a new beekeeper, please use this link to do so - we need you, and so do the new beekeepers who are attending our course!

This time of year is the perfect time to evaluate last year's beekeeping season, to take stock of our equipment and supplies, and to plan for the 2024 beekeeping season. Don't forget to keep an eye on your bees and to add candy boards/plates, or fondant so your bees have what they need to make it through the remaining weeks of winter.

Wishing you and yours all that you hope for in the new year!