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Wake County Beekeepers Association

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Upcoming events

    • January 13, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons, 1411 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    Our 2026 season kicks off with The Beginner Beekeeper Class.  

    7pm: Candle Making  by Cindy Blye


    I’ve been making and selling candles for over six years, starting with a few candle molds I received as a Christmas gift from my family. I began selling candles to complement my husband’s honey business, and later expanded into other beeswax products. Some of my candles have been recognized with awards at beekeeping conferences and the state fair. What started as sharing our products with friends and family has grown into a small local business, and today we’re happy to offer our honey, candles, and beeswax products at a local farmers market.

    7:30pm 

    Topic: Swarm Techniques

    Speaker: Jason Van Duyn 

    Jason Van Duyn is a North Carolina craftsman, beekeeper, and small-business owner based in Raleigh, NC. He holds a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from NC State University and owns/operates both Van Duyn Woodwork as well as Van Duyn Bees. 

    Van Duyn Bees is a chemical-free apiary of around 30 (current) stationary hives devoted to producing pure, raw honey from the heart of the Piedmont region. Jason has been keeping bees for around 15 years, transitioning to chemical free management around 7 years ago. 

    His management preferences looks to mimic the bees’ natural cycles and patterns so as to develop natural colony resilience. Thus, he seeks to strengthen colonies through genetics via swarm capture, nutrition, hive construction, and habitat diversity. Aside from general hive management, most of the beekeeping activities are spent in swarm collection, construction of large insulated stationary hives, native wildflower propagation, and the rearing of heavy nectar producing perennial trees and shrubs. 



    • January 27, 2026
    • March 24, 2026
    • 9 sessions
    • 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610
    Register

    Registration Deadline: January 10, 2026

    Join us for new beekeeper classes to be held Tuesday evenings from 7pm-9pm in the Wake County Commons Building at 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610 and Laurel Hills Park Community Center, 3808 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh

    January 27: Wake County Commons, 1411 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    February 3: Laurel Hills Park Community Center, 3808 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh
    Feb 10: Wake County Commons
    Feb 17: Wake County Commons

    Feb 24: Wake County Commons
    March 3: Laurel Hills Park Community Center
    March 10: Laurel Hills Park Community Center
    March 17: Wake County Commons
    March 24: Wake County Commons

    CLASSES ARE EACH TUESDAY for 9 weeks beginning early January

    This class is for anyone that would like to learn the best practices for beekeeping, including how to get started, how to care for honey bees, and the benefits of membership in the Wake County Beekeepers and North Carolina State Beekeepers Associations.  

    Besides offering a comprehensive foundation of the knowledge and skills needed to properly care for your bees, the class will prepare you to take the written exam for CERTIFIED BEEKEEPER offered by the NC State Beekeepers Association.  This certification is the first step in a graduated program to eventually offer participants the opportunity to be obtain a certificate as a MASTER BEEKEEPER over the course of several years of study and practice as a beekeeper.

    What's Included:

    • A comprehensive handbook of lecture notes to accompany class presentations.
    • 2026 Wake County Beekeeper's Association membership

    What's NOT included:

    • February 05, 2026
    • February 07, 2026
    • New Bern Waterfront Convention Center
    Register
    Are you going to the NCSBA Spring Conference in New Bern?  Do you want to go, but have never gone before?

    We are collecting RSVP's for those attending the conference so we can make sure first time attendees have help in making the conference work for them.  Plus, we meet as a club on Thursday evening for dinner together, and we meet for a group photo.  So, we need you to RSVP on this event to let us know you are attending.

    REGISTERING FOR THIS CLUB CALENDAR EVENT DOES NOT REGISTER YOU FOR THE CONFERENCE.

    To register, visit NC BEEKEEPERS for more info.

    Scheduled to speak

    Ross Conrad of Middlebury, Vermont learned his craft from the late Charles Mraz, world renowned beekeeper and promoter of apitherapy along with his son Bill. Conrad is a former president of the Vermont Beekeeper’s Association, a regular contributor to Bee Culture magazine, author of Natural Beekeeping: Organic Approaches to Modern Apiculture Expanded and Revised 2nd Edition, and co-author of The Land of Milk and Honey: A History of Beekeeping in Vermont. Ross has given bee related presentations and led organic beekeeping workshops and classes throughout North America for three decades. His beekeeping business, Dancing Bee Gardens, supplies friends, neighbors with honey and candles among other bee related products, has 5-frame nucleus bee colonies available each June, and provides bees for Vermont pollination in spring.

    Hilary Kearney is the author of QueenSpotting and the creator of Girl Next Door Honey, a beekeeping business that offers educational opportunities to hundreds of new beekeepers each year. She maintains the blog Beekeeping Like A Girl and her writing on bees has appeared in Modern Farmer and Grit magazines. Her work has been the subject of features in Huffington PostVogueMother Earth News, and other outlets. She rescues wild bee colonies, teaches new beekeepers, and manages around forty small urban apiaries in her hometown of San Diego, California. Her new book, Heart of the Hive focuses on honey bee behavior.

    Angelina Perrotti, Ph.D., is the founder of Mellifloral, a honey pollen analysis service for beekeepers across North America. With more than 10 years of experience with honey pollen, she has analyzed samples from over thirty states. Perrotti is also a Research Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and works closely with entomology labs nationwide to advance research on biodiversity and honey pollen analysis.

    Phoebe Snyder has been dedicated to beekeeping since opening her first hive in 2015. Snyder holds a B.S. in Biology from Stevenson University and an M.S. in Biology from UNC Greensboro, where she conducted both lab and field research across the U.S. and abroad. Over the years, Snyder has worked with several startups in the beekeeping industry and founded her own company, where she co-developed and launched a novel selective breeding test for honey bees. In addition to managing her own apiary, she currently serves as an adjunct professor of beekeeping at Guilford College, the U.S. Sales Representative for NOD Apiary Products, and the Research Program Manager for The Best Bees Company.

    • February 10, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons, 1411 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    7pm Workshop: TBD

    7:30pm Topic: Splits

    Speaker: Frank Bowman of Double B Apiaries       

    • March 10, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Laurel Hills Park Community Center, 3808 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612
    Register

    6:30 PM: Bee Stuff Sale (tools, woodenware honeybee products)
    The Wake County BeeKeeper's Association is hosting a Bee Stuff Sale.

    A few guidelines:

    If you plan to sell - be at 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 sale must be taken back by the owner or 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. You dont have to be a member to buy!

    Reach out to Lee Clark-Sellers with any questions. klclark@nc.rr.com or 919 637 2109

    7pm Workshop: TBD

    7:30pm Topic: Hive Tracks Record Keeping/Hive Monitoring

    Speaker: James Wilkes PH. D



    • March 22, 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.


    • April 14, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons, 1411 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    7pm Workshop: TBD

    7:30pm Topic: TBD

    Speaker:  TBD  


    • April 19, 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.


    • May 12, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Wake County Commons, 1411 Carya Dr, Raleigh
    Register

    7pm Workshop: TBD

    7:30pm Topic: Building a Profitable Beekeeping 

    Speaker: James Hartman




    • May 17, 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.


    • June 14, 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.


    • July 19, 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.


    • August 16, 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.


    • 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.


Past events

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

A Chapter of the NCSBA


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