CVBA September 2025 Newsletter

Veteran beekeeper, Ron Stilwell has handled literally millions of stinging insects over the years. When not beekeeping, he relieves local homeowners and businesses of the hassle and fear of ground-dwelling yellow jackets, while also providing support for people seeking venom immunotherapy. 2 

Photo courtesy of Ron Stilwell 

Yellow jacket wasps are collected live, flash frozen, and shipped to a laboratory in Washington State where their venom extracted for clinical use. 

Ron Stilwell manages about 100 colonies in a variety of settings around suburban Henrico and Richmond City. 

Ron is a VSBA Master Beekeeper and Richmond Beekeepers Association board member who is dedicated to furthering the cause and practice of localized sustainable, organic beekeeping through his own practices and in educating and mentoring Richmond-area beekeepers in producing local queens and starter colonies. 

Following the presentation we will have an informal hive management Q&A time with experienced local beekeepers. 

Upcoming Events 

Mark your calendar: 

September 19: CVBA Officer Nominations due (see “CVBA Elections” below for more details.) 

September 21, 4-6 pm: CVBA Meeting at Greenwood Community Center in Crozet. VSBA Master Beekeeper and Richmond Beekeepers Association board member Ron Stilwell discusses the complex lifecycle of the often maligned yellow jacket and how they are both similar and different to honey bees. Includes Q&A after presentation. 3 

Club News 

October / November: Beginning Beekeeping Course. Register through Albemarle Parks & Recreation Meeting Dates: Sundays, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26 & Nov 2, 2025, 2:00pm to 4:00pm, Greenwood Community Center shelter (see more details below) 

October 19: Club Elections at Greenwood Community Center in Crozet (see “CVBA Elections” below for more details.) 

Oct 25 & 26: VSBA Annual Meeting in Wytheville VA (see carpool sign up information below) 

Photo courtesy of Ryan Williamson 

Mentorship Program 

Mentors help new beekeepers figure out equipment, learn proper beekeeping and mite management techniques, and troubleshoot problems. Having a mentor is a great way to learn as a beginner, and can really help you and your bees in the first few years when you don't have much experience. 

Being a mentor is extremely helpful for the community, and teaching others is a great way to continue learning as an experienced beekeeper. Please consider volunteering to be a mentor, it's a lot of fun! 

If you are a first- or second-year beekeeper and would like an experienced beekeeper as a mentor, please email centralvbamentor@gmail.com. 

If you have several years of experience with bees and are willing to be a mentor, please also email centralvbamentor@gmail.com.