Each year, during the warmer months, honeybee colonies are hard at work collecting nectar and producing honey, which will sustain them through the colder seasons. If the colony has recently swarmed or a beekeeper has made a split, new queens will have emerged, mated, and started laying eggs — ensuring the continuity of the hive.

Zane Cantrell, a hobbyist beekeeper, highlighted the remarkable productivity of these insects despite their brief life span...Cantrell emphasized their vital role in American agriculture.

BEE CONFERENCE: Later this year, when bee activity is at a minimum, beekeepers from across the state will gather at an annual conference dedicated to sharing research, innovations, and practical guidance within the industry....Among the featured speakers will be Dr. Gina Sandor of Hendersonville. Sandor, a veterinarian, is currently pursuing her Honey Bee Veterinary Certification through the Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The October 9-10, 2025 conference will be at MTSU in the Student Center. During the event, other notable experts including Richard A. Brickner, who specializes in beekeeping and pest management, Jessica L. Dodds-Davis of Honeybee Tennessee, and Dr. Tamara Potter from Kentucky State University, who is scheduled to speak in October with a focus on educating beginner beekeepers.

Pollination, largely driven by honeybees, is fundamental to agriculture and food production. According to the U.S. Forest Service, without pollinators, including honeybees, the global food supply — and the human race — would be at risk.

Economic studies back up this importance. A 2023 University of Kentucky study estimated that bee pollination contributes between $15 and $20 billion to the U.S. economy. That’s a significant increase from 2009, when the National Library of Medicine valued pollination at approximately $11.6 billion.

With awareness growing and scientific collaboration deepening, honeybee season is more than just a time for sweet harvests — it’s a reminder of the delicate balance between nature and agriculture, and the powerful impact of even the smallest creatures.

• Click Here for the Bee Conference Information. 

Podcast Above This Article: On the WGNS Action Line, host Scott Walker sat down with local beekeeper Zane Cantrell to discuss the vital role bees play in pollinating the fruits and vegetables we rely on every day. Cantrell also shared insights on how local honey may help ease allergies and hay fever, offering both education and practical solutions straight from the hive.