Want to Become a Beekeeper?

If any of you are interested in becoming beekeepers, the following organizations would be helpful to you.  

1. Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association (OSBA):

  • This appears to be the statewide umbrella organization.
  • History: Formed shortly after 1938. Early meetings were held in Oklahoma City. Local affiliated associations started forming in the late 1960s.
  • Mission: To further the art of beekeeping in the State of Oklahoma.
  • Membership: Open to anyone interested in beekeeping. Dues are $20 for individuals and $25 for families per calendar year. Online membership renewal and new sign-up are available.
  • Activities:
    • Holds monthly meetings (currently on the 2nd Saturday of the month). The May meeting for 2025 is scheduled for May 10th.
    • Organizes the annual "Beekeeper of the Year" award (Albert Lincoln Beekeeper of the Year Award) to recognize outstanding contributions to beekeeping in Oklahoma. Novak Bullard received this award in 1991.
    • Maintains a statewide listing of swarm catchers for beehive relocation.
    • Operates an information booth at the Oklahoma State Fair and encourages members to share photos of their "bee experiences" for display.
    • Publishes beekeeping tips on their website.
    • Provides information on the Oklahoma Apiary Act.
    • Has grown to include eleven chapters across Oklahoma.

2. Northeast Oklahoma Beekeepers Association (NEOBA):

  • A local chapter affiliated with the OSBA, established in Claremore in 1967.
  • Mission: Pursues an educational mission by giving local presentations, hosting beekeeper classes, and organizing an annual beekeeping conference called the "Big Bee Buzz."
  • Membership: Offers benefits such as access to monthly Zoom meetings ("Let's Talk Bee's"), beekeeping classes (held twice a year), and an educational library.
  • Meetings: Holds monthly meetings on the 2nd Monday evening of each month at Wright Christian Academy in Tulsa, OK. These meetings typically feature a speaker and Q&A sessions.
  • Events:
    • Organizes the annual "Big Bee Buzz" conference. The 2024 event was held on March 1st and 2nd. The 2025 event is scheduled for February 28th and March 1st in Broken Arrow.
    • Offers beekeeping classes for beginners, typically held over two Saturdays.
    • Hosts "Let's Talk Bee's," a monthly interactive Zoom meeting for members.
    • Organizes other events like board meetings and field days.

3. Texoma Beekeepers Association (TOBA):

  • A local association serving the Southern Oklahoma area, started in 2013 and officially incorporated in 2017.
  • Mission: To bring together local urban and rural beekeepers, provide a space for learning and education, and offer hands-on hive time through 4H-sponsored hives. They also focus on community outreach regarding the benefits of honey bees and swarm removals.
  • History: Originated from a bee program hosted by the Noble Foundation in 2016. The first meeting was held in February 2017.
  • Activities: Works with community leaders to educate the public, participates in the Oklahoma State Fair, and presents to various clubs.

 

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