TOPIC:  Swarm Traps 

WHERE:

Lexington County Public Library

5440 Augusta Rd

Lexington, SC 29072

Bio for the speaker, Brian Motley: 

Brian Motley, 2022 Wateree Beekeeper of the Year, has been beekeepeing for approximately 12 years.  He has immersed himself in becoming educated and raising bees in a healthy and consistent manner.  Brian is currently running several hives on his own property as well as several at various out yards in the area. He set the bar, when he started his “formal” bee education as the first 100% score on the Certified test, as part of the Wateree's Beekeeepers club. He followed that up a couple of years later by becoming a Journeyman. His plan to become a Master Beekeeper is on hold, until career retirement. 

Although working full time for the State as a public servant, he always makes time to help thosewho ask for his assistance.  He volunteers to educate new beekeepers with sound, reliable, Best Management Strategy based guidance. He gives freely of his time and does so with a joyful spirit. He can be counted on to capture challenging swarms in very public areas as he is gifted in dealing with the public and educating them with kindness and grace, while keeping them and the bees safe.

When a local TV station requested information on the health and welfare of Honey bees in the region, Brian welcomed the reporter and his cameraman to his property and spoke about the plight of the Honey bee and encouraged the visitors to don safety gear and get up close and personal with the bees. Jamal Goss with WACH Fox News was impressed and complimentary in his report to the citizens of the area.

He has served on the Wateree Election Committee and moved into a two-term Board member who was elected unanimously, becoming a vital part of the club helping them run the most efficient manner!  In any given year, Brian teaches parts of the Beginning Beekeeper course, guiding and assisting with Hardware Construction days, helping fill package orders for members who order new bees, demonstrating at our spring and fall Hands in the Hives events, working both morning frame reading sessions and afternoon component construction sessions, as well as mentoring 3-4 individuals, all of this. . . while being the most active member of our Swarm Team. Brian has donated many of his swarm captures to fellow beekeepers who are wanting to diversify their genetics or grow their yards. He says his favorite part of beekeeping is watching packages grow, but he has been so successful keeping his bees alive during the winter that he hasn’t purchased bees in over 2 years!