Menu
Log in

Wake County Beekeepers Association

Log in

Upcoming events

    • April 15, 2025
    • May 20, 2025
    • 6 sessions
    • online
    Register

    Members may register for online zoom sessions for advanced beekeeper classes to prepare for Journeyman exam.  These classes are meant to be a companion to reading the suggested texts and are not meant to be a primary method of learning.  A reading list is available on the NCSBA website.  https://www.ncbeekeepers.org/programs/mbp/journeyman

    Written and practical testing will take place at the summer meeting in Flat Rock NC July 10-12.   

    April 15 - Honey Bee Biology (1.5 hours) - Chris Hagwood

    April 22 - Honey Bee Diseases and Viruses (1 hour) - DIck Orander

    April 29 - Honey Bee Pests (Wax months, tracheal mites, small hive beetles, etc) (2.5 hours is the suggested time) - Charles Heatherly

    May 6 - Honey and Wax (0.5 hours) - Susan Benton

    May 14 - WEDNESDAY - Plants and Pesticides (1 hour) - Greg Morrison

    May 20 - Seasonal Management (1.5 hours) - Erica Adams

    Prior to testing, use this study guide to prepare:  https://www.ncbeekeepers.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Study-Guide-for-NCSBA-Journeyman-and-Master-Levels.pdf 

    • May 13, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610

    7:00 PM: Sampling for Varroa with Matt Flint.

    7:30 PM: This month's topic is Hive Scales. Our speaker is Rafael Cabrera with Solutionbee LLC.


    Rafael Cabrera brings a unique perspective to beekeeping, blending decades of international business management with a passion for innovation in apiculture. As the founder of Solutionbee LLC, Rafael developed and commercialized cutting-edge beehive monitoring systems, enhancing hive management for both hobbyists and major agricultural companies like Bayer and Syngenta. His expertise in IoT technologies has made a significant impact on beekeeping practices in North America. Fluent in multiple languages and with a background in product development and global business strategy, Rafael is excited to share insights and ideas with the beekeeping community. He looks forward to contributing to the conversation and learning from this dedicated group of enthusiasts.

    Rafael has lived in Raleigh with his family continuously since 1986, except for two expat assignments in Romania and China.




    • May 17, 2025
    • 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • 2900 Mid Pines Dr, Raleigh at the NCSU Apiculture Lab

    Join us for the Spring Picnic at NCSU Apriculture Lab... 

    Members and their immediate households are invited to join us for family fun. The Hospitality Team will provide all food.

    RSVPs due May 1st.  Please RSVP at

    SIGN UP FOR PICNIC

    The address is 2900 Mid Pines Dr, but that is only for the entrance.  Follow a sign to the Bill Fike Teaching Garden and continue down the road until you reach a large building and picnic shelter.  It is labeled Dix Hill Activity and Conference Center on the map image below

    • May 18, 2025
    • 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.


    • June 10, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610

    7:00 PM: Record Keeping Basics with Phil Crump.

    7:30 PM: This month's topic is Cotton and Bees, and how the two can be mutually beneficial to one another.

    Our speaker is Guy Collins. Guy Collins wears two hats. He is employed by NC State University where he serves as Professor and Extension Cotton Specialist. In this role, he develops research-based

    recommendations for North Carolina cotton growers and advises them on the latest management practices that maximize profits, sustainability, and environmentally responsibility. The majority of his research is on-farm, in growers’ fields across all parts of North Carolina where cotton is grown. He began his career in 2009 at the University of Georgia as the Extension Cotton Agronomist and served 5 years there. A former colleague and friend in Georgia later went on to be employed by Rossman Apiaries, which facilitated Dr Collins’s endeavor into commercial beekeeping, which is the other hat he wears. 

    Guy, and his wife Ashley, also own and operate COTTON BOLL Pollinators LLC and BAYED BEAR Honey LLC in Bailey NC, which was launched approximately 6 years ago. Guy had been beekeeping with his father on the family farm for approximately 15 years, but his connections with Rossman Apiaries spurred him into pursuing commercial beekeeping. They now sell bee packages and supplies from Rossman Apiaries, as well as their own NC-raised Nucs and Queens, as well as pollination services and of course, cotton honey.



    • June 22, 2025
    • 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.


    • July 08, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • TBD


    Summer Cookout with Honey Tasting

    Free Cookout Cliparts, Download Free Cookout Cliparts png images, Free ...

    • July 20, 2025
    • 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.


    • August 12, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Dr., Raleigh NC 27610


    7PM: Ice Cream Social

    Ice Cream Social Clip Art

    7:30 PM: This month's topic is Queen Breeding/Genetics presented by Brandon Simmons.


    • August 16, 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Walnut Creek Wetland Park
    Register

    Help staff a booth for this fun event.  Kids of all ages plus parents will be there to celebrate nature and we will host a booth all about bees and beekeeping.  No skill level required to talk about bees!

    Please RSVP if you can help!

    • August 17, 2025
    • 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.


    • September 09, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Dr., Raleigh NC 27610


    7PM: Wax Pouring Demo


    7:30 PM: This month's topic is Life of the beekeeper @NCSU.

    The speaker is Kim Guillemette.


     

    • September 21, 2025
    • 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 04, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    Register

    Help staff a booth at Kids in Nature Day at Lake Benson Park in Garner.   Children and their parents will tour various booths to learn about topics in nature and ours will be all about bees and beekeeping.  No expertise needed!  Please RSVP to volunteer!

    • October 14, 2025
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Dr., Raleigh NC 27610


    6:30 PM:  Annual Fall Plant Exchange 

    6:30PM:  Club Swap Shop Sale 

    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 Sales 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

    7:30PM- Regular Meeting- Dr. Brad Metz

    Sting Allergies

    We will hold our annual election for club officers.



Past events

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 January Membership Meeting
January 14, 2025 Beginner Beekeeper School
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.

A Chapter of the NCSBA


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software