Ashe County Beekeepers

James Wilkes

Our very own member, James Wilkes will be our speaker for the October 9, 2025 ACBA meeting. James is a beekeeper, college professor, farmer, and entrepreneur. With a career in computer science education and years of practical beekeeping experience that includes building a small family farm and bee business, his expertise is working at the intersection of computing and honey bees. He creates technology solutions that deliver a positive impact for honey bees and the stakeholders and the food systems that depend on them. James enjoys engaging with the beekeeping community to improve our understanding and care of honey bees.

^top  Detail   Posted: 09/08/25 ID: 1757333065 Category: Index

The Ashe County Beekeepers Association represents men and women of all ages, from all different walks of lives and professions, with one common interest: beekeeping! We have a strong emphasis on education and mentoring, with a desire to see the fading art of beekeeping return to prominence in our local area. Our members range from new beekeepers to master beekeepers, and even those who don’t own any bees!

Our group meets all year on the second Thursday of each month at Midway Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall in West Jefferson, NC. Our meetings typically include fellowship and snacks at 6:30 pm, followed by our normal meeting at 7:00 p.m. Monthly speakers include those from our own club, as well as others involved in both state and national beekeepers associations.

The group helps in facilitating classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced-level beekeeping at our local community college. A list of upcoming classes with dates, times, locations and information on how to register can be found under the “EDUCATION” tab of this website.

If you have any interest in beekeeping as a hobby or business, please come visit us at our next meeting, or contact us through this website with any questions or comments.

^top  Detail   Posted: 04/14/12 ID: 1334418898 Category: Index