Don Schram Secretary, Michigan Beekeepers’ Association Barbara Applebee President, Mid-Michigan Beekeepers Club
Hello Beekeepers,
The calls pledging help are rolling in, and the MBA greatly appreciates all the efforts that everyone is going through to help one of our own in the beekeeping community.
We’d like to keep you updated about the disaster that occurred to David and Sandy Anthony last week. Last Thursday, when torrential storms came through the mid-Michigan area, Anthony Bee Farms found themselves the victim of flood waters. The flash flood devastated not only their home, but also swept hundreds of hives downstream. The future of Anthony Bee Farms looked bleak. Some salvage of bee colonies began on Sunday, but was halted due to weather and the poor conditions for searching for potential survivor colonies. Simply put, it’s too muddy to search and recover at the moment.
David and his family are appreciative of all the efforts the beekeeping community is going through to lend a hand and save his operation. He is currently waiting on the insurance company to come out and photograph and document the damage, before further recovery and clean up take place.
But the Michigan Beekeepers’ Association, and the many affiliate clubs that compose us, are not sitting by idle. We are asking for donations of bees and beekeeping equipment to help restore David Anthony’s operation. We are asking for help to rebuild a beekeeper who has helped us all. MBA President, Terry Toland, has secured a bee yard near Almont to temporarily house donated bees and will provide for their care until the Anthonys can take possession of them.
If you have hives that need to be split, please consider making an extra nuc for David. If you are called to capture a swarm, again, please consider donating it in this time of need. Extra boxes, bottom boards and covers are also helpful and will be put to good use. If you can help donate your time, please stand ready, as the time will be coming to search for and salvage equipment. We are not asking for money, although some clubs and members have asked how to contribute a cash donation. We are only asking for bees, equipment and your time.
If you can help, please contact MBA President, Terry Toland, at 248-421-6601 or at president@mba-bees.org . Pick up of your items can be arranged.
Thank you, and please pass the word. We are all in this together
