Fellow mothers, pollination season is among us! While we can all agree that we are excited for warmer weather, we can equally agree that we’ve been paying with sneezes and allergies, thanks to our lovely bee nation. But that’s OK! There is always a silver lining in every situation:
In this case, it’s the BEES!
Knoxville is a beautiful place to live and offers much greenery, and we have our bee friends to thank for that. However, it’s a known fact that bees are becoming extinct. It’s exciting to see an increase in lobbyists and educators working to reverse this path, even here in Knoxville. While spring season is here, and with summer soon approaching, now is a great time to educate our little ones and get involved in the bee community in Knoxville, starting in our very own backyards.
Here are some education projects to help teach about bees:
- Plant herbs and flowers that attract bees (Heliotrope, Lavender, Borage, Calendula, Sunflower, Aser, Snowdrop, Poppy, Sage, Sweet Alyssum, Buttercup, Geranium, Thyme, Fennel, Cilantro, Crocus, Hollywick, Zinnia); Knoxville offers many educational classes to help teach children about growing fresh organic produce.
- Welcome bees into your garden: build a bee house.
- Hydrate our pollinators: build a watering station.
- Visit local farmers’ markets to taste authentic honey and education our children.
For more information, visit the Beekeepers Associations of Tennessee.
Below you will find a list of beekeepers in our area. Many beekeepers are excited for visitors and wish to help educate future generations about bees. It’s fun and EDUCATIONAL.
Anderson County Beekeepers
Third Monday at 7pm
Clinton Community Center on Hicks Street
Contact: Pres Andrea Souza
865.803.6433
Bee Friends
First Thursday at 6:30pm
Walter State Campus on Hickory Street
Contact: Jay Heselschwerdt
423.268.4785
Blount County Beekeepers
Second Monday at 6:30pm
Christian Church across from Foothills Mall
Contact: Chuck Davis
865.566.3690
Cherokee Beekeepers
Fourth Tuesday at 7pm
Co-op on Congress Parkway in Athens
Contact: Mike Coulter
423.754.3407
Clinch Valley Beekeepers
Third Thursday at 7pm
Volunteer Fire Department
Contact: Lloyd Snelson
423.626.5538
Cumberland County Beekeepers
Last Thursday 7pm
First United Methodist Church in Crossville
Contact: Terry Brooks
931.787.3333
Davy Crockett BeeKeepers
Fourth Monday 7:30pm
First Presbyterian Church of Greenville
Contact Woody Fike
423.636.1126
Heritage Club of Hawkins Country
2nd Thursday 6:30pm
Shepard’s Center in Rogersville
Contact: Ace Ely
423.358.3225
Jefferson County Beekeeper
Second Monday at 6pm
County Extension Office in Dandridge
Contact: Rick Pinkerton
865,474.0942
Knox County Beekeepers
First Monday 7pm
New Harvest Park Comm Building
Contact: Lynda Rizzardi
865.983.4921
www.kcbaoftn.org
Monroe County Beekeepers
Second Tuesday at 6:30pm
Hiwassee College
Contact: Bob Wilson
423.253.2239
Ocoee Beekeepers
Third Tuesday at 7pm
Benton Municipal Building
Contact: Ron Stepherson
423.338.2792
Roane Morgan Beekeepers
Second Tuesday at 7pm
Roane State Community College – Vann Student Center
Contact: 865.599.0191
Sevier County Beekeepers
First Monday 7pm
King’s Library in Sevierville
Contact: Dennis Barry
865.414.2116
Tennessee Valley Beekeepers
Fourth Monday 7pm
Red Bank Presbyterian Church
Contact: Amanda Turner
815.370.6833
Wilson County Beekeepers
First Monday 7pm
James E. Ward Center in Lebanon
Contact: Carey Mitchell
615.286.2529
Let us know if you visit one of these beekeepers! We’d love to hear about your experience!
