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Wake County Beekeepers


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Upcoming events

    • May 15, 2026
    • May 17, 2026
    • Agri Supply Expo Center, NC State Fairgrounds


    Join fellow Wake County and Johnston County club volunteers at an educational booth during the Got to Be NC Festival.  Located inside the Agri Supply Expo Center, this event showcases NC produced agriculture.  WCBA Director Joe Tripp is the coordinator.

    To volunteer, sign up HERE:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084EADA62EA46-63011158-gottobe#/


     

    • May 17, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Historic Oakview County Park 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 

    WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

    WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

    WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

    The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
     The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.


    • June 06, 2026
    • 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    • Lake Crabtree County Park
    Register

    Volunteer with the WCBA at the Lake Crabtree Pollinator Festival. This is a free, family friendly event with games, crafts, food trucks, and more! We will be presenting information about the vital role honey bees play in our ecosystem. This event will be held at Lake Crabtree County Park. Please reach out to education outreach coordinator Matthew Hurley for any questions.

    • June 09, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • NCSU CVM, Main Building, B-112 Green Theater (South) 1060 William Moore Dr. Raleigh NC 27607
    Register

    7pm Workshop:  Toni Sweetland “Importance of Pollinator Gardens in Sustaining Bees through Dearth”|

    Toni Sweetland is a certified, hobbyist beekeeper. In addition to keeping colonies at her home, she is a member of the Holly Springs Food Cupboard hive management team. 

    Toni has been an Extension Master Gardener of Wake County for 8 years, since her retirement from IBM. She thoroughly enjoys the intersect of bee and plant health and using bees as an excuse to plant more flowers. Much of her volunteer time with the Master Gardener program is spent in therapeutic horticulture and training of new members. She currently acts as Chair of the Extension Master Gardener Management Team.  She is also currently pursuing Master Naturalist certification. As part of this program, she will be contributing to the Xerces Society bumblebee atlas, completing surveys at two sites in southeast Wake County during this year’s bumblebee season. 

    7:30pm Topic: Getting Younger Generations Into Beekeeping 

    Speaker:  Brandon Dillman

    • June 13, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Williamson Preserve, 4409 Old Country Mial Rd. Raleigh NC 27610
    Register

    Come volunteer with the WCBA at The Land & Harvest Festival, hosted by the Triangle Land Conservancy. This event is designed to celebrate local agriculture, support Williamson farmers, and provide an opportunity for the community to connect over shared values of land conservation, sustainability and food systems. A key highlight of the festival will be the Farmers and Vendor Market, where attendees can purchase fresh, locally grown produce and support local vendors. We should be able to sell honey and other products of the hive at the festival as well!!!!

    • June 14, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Historic Oakview County Park 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 

    WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

    WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

    WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

    The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
     The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.


    • July 09, 2026
    • July 11, 2026
    • Benton Convention Center, Winston Salem, NC
    Register

    Join fellow club members at the Summer Conference in July.  This year's conference (a joint meeting with South Carolina and Virginia) features Dr. Samuel Ramsey!). See topics listed below.

    This RSVP is used to collect information from those attending so we can plan for a dinner out together.  EARLY RSVP is needed to get a number for planning.  We will be gathering for dinner on Thursday evening at the Old Fourth Street Filling Station, only a 14 minute walk from the convention center.  

    Please RSVP if you are planning to attend and we will keep you posted on the dinner plans.  We will also meet for a group photo on Friday.

    THIS IS NOT A CONFERENCE REGISTRATION, please use this button to visit the NCSBA page on the conference: SUMMER CONFERENCE INFO/REGISTRATION

    Keynotes:

    • Dr. Sammy Ramsey
      • Varroa Kleptocytosis – Stealing for the Next Generation
      • Tropilaelaps – A Fate Worse Than Varroa
    • Kaylee Richardson of The Honeystead
      • Planting for Honeybees and Your Health
      • Sweet Medicine: Crafting from the Hive 
    • Dr. David Tarpy
      • The Internal Hive Politics of Queen Bees

    Speakers:

    • Molly Carlson – 2026 John T. Ambrose Student Award Recipient
      • The effect of brood pheromone (E-beta-ocimene) on colony growth and queen replacement 
    • Rebecca Craps – NC State, Forsyth County, Extension Agent, Natural Resources and Environmental Systems – Pollinator Matchmaking: Using Native Plants to Support Habitat Restoration
    • BeeMORE Interns – BeeMORE Student Lightening Talks

    Workshops:

    • Rahman Tashakkori – BeeMon Project: An integrated hive system using predictive AI for bee health
    • Virginia Webb – Preparing Honey Show Entries
    • State Apiary Inspectors – Don Hopkins & Team – In the Apiary with the State Apiary Inspectors
    • Carla Robertson
      • Update on the Honey Industry 
      • Marketing Your Honey & Products of the Hive
    • Mark Case – What’s Your Why? Beekeeper’s Edition
    • Etienne Nadeau – Counting Queens Days: Do I Need to Buy a Queen?
    • Joe Komperda –
      • Part 1: An Average Joe Beekeepers Guide to Splits – The Basics
      • Part 2: An Average Joe Beekeepers Guide to Splits: Advanced Splitting Techniques
    • Lynne Swanson – How to Run an Engaging Bee School
    • Madison Bridges – Mead-making

    Other Items to note are:

    • Master Beekeeper Program testing for all levels Saturday morning Saturday, July 11, 9:00 – 11:00 am; no tests handed out after 10:30 am. You must be registered for the conference to attend.
    • Live bees onsite: Benton Convention Center is bee-friendly and there will be expert apiary instruction in honey bee management.
    • Friday Evening Awards Banquet: Purchase your tickets during registration. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
    • July 14, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • TBD
    Register

    7pm Workshop: FUN!!!

    7:30pm Topic: Food

    • July 18, 2026
    • 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • The Village at Washington Terrace
    Register

    Volunteer with the WCBA at the 2026 Summer Celebration Event at the Village at Washington Terrace. This event is at the garden and green space in a very large residential community attended by people of all ages. We will have activities and presentation materials focused on what we do as an organization and beekeeping in general. Food will be provided for volunteers!

    • July 19, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Historic Oakview County Park 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 

    WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

    WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

    WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

    The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
     The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.


    • August 11, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    7pm Workshop: TBD

    7:30pm Topic: Instrumental Insemination & Sustainable Hive Management

    Speaker: Brandon Simmons


    • August 15, 2026
    • 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Walnut Creek Wetland Park, 950 Peterson St, Raleigh
    Register

    Club member volunteers needed again at MUD DAY!  If you are available, please RSVP and details will follow closer to the event.

    Walnut Creek Wetland Park is proud to host our 8th annual Mud Day event on Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM! This family-friendly festival highlights the importance of wetlands and encourages children to explore nature through activities like a mud slide, obstacle course, live animal encounters, and crafts. 

    Mud Day will take place in and around Walnut Creek Wetland Park’s Norman and Betty Camp Education Center located at 950 Peterson Street in Raleigh.

    • August 16, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Historic Oakview County Park 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 

    WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

    WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

    WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

    The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
     The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.


    • September 08, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    7pm Workshop: TBD

    7:30pm Topic: Do Insulated Hives Make a Difference?

    Speaker: Tito Sierra

    Tito is the founder of RALEIGH BEE (https://raleighbee.com), a small NCSBA Certified Honey Producer located 2 miles east of the State Capitol. Tito is a Certified Beekeeper in North Carolina, and is the Vice President of the Wake County Beekeeper Association.

    • September 20, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • 4028 Carya Drive Raleigh NC 27610
    Register

    Bring your veil, hive tool and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 

    WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real hives with real bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

    WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

    WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

    The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, suit and hive tool. The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.


    • October 13, 2026
    • 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    6:30 PM:  Annual Fall Plant Exchange & Club Swap Shop

    Plant Exchange
    Fall is the best time to divide most perennials.  With the approaching cold weather, plants focus on root development and wait until spring to focus on blooms.  Plants suffer less stress with being planted in the fall, and although you should water regularly (at least once a week) after transplanting, and continue until frost, after that, baring any droughts, most plants can handle a lot less attention going into the spring. 

    Want to participate?  Here is how it works:  You bring bee-friendly plants you want to exchange, and receive a ticket for each plant you bring, that can be exchanged for plants that others bring.  You are welcome to bring other plants that you think people might want, but you will only receive a ticket for bee-friendly plants. 

    Each plant should be accompanied by a tag indicating what it is, and each group of plants that are the same should have a description on an index card, suitable for taking a picture

    Equipment Sale (tools, woodenware honeybee products):

    If you plan to sell - be at the parking Lot by 6:15, to set up.  The parking lot will be marked for the sale and look for volunteers to answer any questions. Also any items not sold during parking lot sale must be taken back by the owner and is not eligible for raffle. However, items can be donated for club use.

    You can also post your items on the Wake County Facebook page.

    If you plan to buy - the event starts at 6:30. Please bring cash

    7pm Workshop: TBD

    7:30pm Topic: Flow Hives

    Speaker:  Willy Tracy

    • November 10, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    7:00 - PLEASE ARRIVE BY 7PM TO ALLOW TIME TO CHECK IN

    VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION RAFFLE kicks off after everyone checks in.  Each member with participation and volunteer credits will earn raffle tickets towards some awesome prizes!   There will be many fantastic items you can enter to win.  You will be able to choose which prizes to enter your tickets.

    *No raffle tickets are for sale, only those earned by members


    • December 08, 2026
    • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    6:30-8:30PM:   WCBA 2025 Potluck Holiday Gathering (Note Time Change!)

    Come join us for fun and food at our 2026 Annual Holiday Gathering at the Wake Commons building. This is a perfect time to visit and catch up with fellow club members.   BEEKEEPER OF THE YEAR will also be awarded. 

    The club will provide ham and turkey, as well as beverages and paper goods.  Members need to sign up to bring EITHER a side-dish, dessert or bread through signup genius.  Look for that!


    We look forward to having you come and celebrate this past year and share your bee stories with your fellow beekeepers. It's a great time to share your culture and traditions.


Past events

May 12, 2026 May Club Meeting
May 02, 2026 Spring Cookout
April 19, 2026 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz
April 14, 2026 April Club Meeting
March 28, 2026 Mead Making Workshop
March 22, 2026 Swarm Team Kickoff
March 22, 2026 Hands on the Hive w/ Mr. Buzz
March 10, 2026 March Club Meeting
March 08, 2026 Frame and Box Building Workshop
February 10, 2026 February Club Meeting
February 05, 2026 Club Website and App Bootcamp - evening edition
February 05, 2026 Spring (February) NCSBA Conference RSVP
February 04, 2026 Club Website and App Bootcamp - weekday edition
January 31, 2026 Club Website and App Bootcamp - weekend edition
January 27, 2026 Beginner Beekeeper School
January 13, 2026 January Club Meeting
December 09, 2025 December Membership Meeting
November 18, 2025 November Membership Meeting
October 18, 2025 Frame and Hive Assembly Workshop
October 14, 2025 October Membership Meeting
October 04, 2025 Kids in Nature Day
October 04, 2025 DJ's Berry Patch
September 27, 2025 Pollinator Garden 25th Anniversary
September 21, 2025 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!!
September 20, 2025 Bugfest
September 09, 2025 September Membership Meeting
August 22, 2025 NCPCA Field Day
August 17, 2025 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!!
August 16, 2025 Art Workshop
August 16, 2025 Mud Day
August 12, 2025 August Membership Meeting
August 09, 2025 Meadmaking Workshop
July 26, 2025 Wax Workshop
July 20, 2025 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!!
July 10, 2025 NCSBA Summer Conference
July 08, 2025 July Membership Summer Cookout at Anderson Point Park
June 22, 2025 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!!
June 21, 2025 Pollinator Party at JC Raulston Arboretum
June 14, 2025 Pollinator Festival at Lake Crabtree Park
June 10, 2025 June Membership Meeting
May 27, 2025 Journeyman Review Online Class
May 18, 2025 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!!
May 17, 2025 Spring Picnic
May 13, 2025 May Membership Meeting
April 15, 2025 Advanced Beekeeper Online Training
April 13, 2025 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!!
April 08, 2025 April Membership Meeting
March 23, 2025 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!!
March 11, 2025 March Membership Meeting
March 06, 2025 Spring Meeting with NC and SC Beekeepers
February 11, 2025 February Membership Meeting
February 08, 2025 Make your own mead workshop
January 14, 2025 Beginner Beekeeper School
January 14, 2025 January Membership Meeting
January 14, 2025 Trees for bees webinar
December 10, 2024 December Membership Meeting
November 12, 2024 November Membership Meeting
October 08, 2024 October Membership Meeting
September 14, 2024 BugFest
September 10, 2024 September Membership Meeting
August 18, 2024 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!!
August 17, 2024 MUD DAY at Walnut Creek Wetland Park
August 13, 2024 August Membership Meeting
July 21, 2024 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!
July 11, 2024 2024 Summer State Conference in Pinehurst, NC
July 09, 2024 July Membership Meeting
June 29, 2024 Pollinator Festival at Lake Crabtree County Park
June 23, 2024 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!
June 11, 2024 June Membership Meeting
May 19, 2024 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!
May 18, 2024 Club Picnic
May 11, 2024 Wild About Nature Day
May 07, 2024 May Membership Meeting
May 04, 2024 Kids In Nature Day Volunteer Signup
April 28, 2024 Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!
April 27, 2024 Songbird Celebration
April 20, 2024 Earth Day at Marbles Museum
April 20, 2024 EarthFest
April 19, 2024 Arbor Day at Dix Park
April 09, 2024 April Membership Meeting
March 24, 2024 Hands on the Hive With Mr. Buzz!
March 12, 2024 March Membership Meeting
March 07, 2024 Join Us at the 2024 Spring State Conference in New Bern
February 13, 2024 February Membership Meeting
January 23, 2024 Beginner Beekeeper School
January 20, 2024 Introduction to Honey Bees and Beekeeping
January 16, 2024 January Membership Meeting
December 12, 2023 December Membership Meeting
November 14, 2023 November Membership Meeting
October 10, 2023 October Membership Meeting
September 16, 2023 BUGFEST
September 12, 2023 September Membership Meeting
September 09, 2023 Wax Products and Honey Bottling Workshop
August 20, 2023 Hands on the Hive
August 19, 2023 Mud Day at Walnut Creek Wetland Park
August 08, 2023 August Membership Meeting
July 22, 2023 Second Mead Making Workshop
July 16, 2023 Hands on the Hive
July 13, 2023 NCSBA Summer Conference
July 11, 2023 July Membership Meeting
June 25, 2023 Hands on the Hive
June 24, 2023 BEE JUBILEE at Granville County Expo Center
June 13, 2023 June Membership Meeting
June 03, 2023 BEE FEST at Lonerider Hideout Wake Forest
May 21, 2023 Hands on the Hive
May 09, 2023 May Membership Meeting
May 06, 2023 Apiculture Lab visit and BBQ Lunch
April 16, 2023 Hands on the Hive
April 11, 2023 April Membership Meeting
March 26, 2023 Hands on the Hive
March 14, 2023 March Membership Meeting
March 10, 2023 NCSBA Spring Conference
March 04, 2023 Mead Making Workshop
February 14, 2023 February Membership Meeting
February 01, 2023 WCBA Bee School
January 10, 2023 January Membership Meeting
January 06, 2023 Hive Life Conference & Trade Show
December 13, 2022 December Membership Meeting
November 08, 2022 November Membership Meeting
October 15, 2022 2022 State Fair Honey Sales
October 13, 2022 North Carolina State Fair
October 11, 2022 October Membership Meeting
October 01, 2022 Wild About Nature
September 24, 2022 Farm Aid
September 18, 2022 Hands on the Hive
September 13, 2022 September Membership Meeting
August 21, 2022 Hands on the Hive
August 09, 2022 August Membership Meeting
August 01, 2022 EAS 2022 Conference
July 28, 2022 North Carolina State Beekeepers Association Summer Meeting
July 17, 2022 Hands on the Hive
July 12, 2022 July Membership Meeting
June 14, 2022 June Membership Meeting
June 12, 2022 Hands on the Hive
May 15, 2022 Hands on the Hive
May 10, 2022 May Membership Meeting
April 12, 2022 April Membership Meeting
April 10, 2022 Hands on the Hive
January 15, 2022 Testing for Certified Beekeeper
January 08, 2022 Bee School for Beginners

View meeting minutes in the event details of past meetings.

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