Master Beekeeper Kent Williams will speak at the Overton County Beekeepers Association meeting Thursday night.
Williams, a Kentucky native, has over 30 years of beekeeping experience and runs hives in multiple states. Beekeeper Association President Gina Martin said William’s master beekeeper status takes five years to achieve.
“From a novice beekeeper or someone just interested in it, [Williams] can explain the mistakes that he’s made,” Martin said. “And he always wants to lead with that to try to help us, to the 30-plus year beekeepers because he’s been there and done that.”
Martin said the Beekeepers Association has tried to attract bigger name speakers, which has helped it grow. In addition, Martin said the club’s community presence and education efforts has led to increased interest in beekeeping in Overton County.
“We just need more beekeepers in the world,” Martin said. “And the average age of a beekeeper in Tennessee is 70 years old, so we kind of need younger folks to step in and help us out.”
Martin said the benefits of beekeeping are sweeter than just honey. Martin said there can be both physical and mental benefits to beekeeping, as some military veterans take it up as a form of therapy.
“[Beekeeping] helps your mental state, it lowers your blood pressure,” Martin said. “They also found that bees can help if you have rheumatoid arthritis. Taking bee venom and using that, doctors have found that.”
Martin said people who are not interested in beekeeping can still advocate for bees. Martin said grassy yards are detrimental to the bee population, as they need something to pollinate.
Martin said people who want to help the bee population can start small by setting up a pollination plot, or small space for wildflowers to grow. Martin said bees use the pollen from these flowers as food.
Martin said Williams brings a wealth of beekeeping knowledge. Williams is also known for creating a hooked hive tool. The Overton County Beekeepers Association meeting will be at the Millard Oakley Library in Livingston at 6 pm on Thursday.