Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association

Going Strong Since 1904

Winter Loss Survey

The Penn State Center for Pollinator Research is now administering the annual winter loss survey. This data is tremendously helpful in assessing drivers of winter colony loss in Pennsylvania and we're grateful for all the beekeepers who have contributed their data over the years.

Here is the link to the survey which we're asking beekeepers to fill out by May 31st! 

https://arcg.is/0zi011 


Pollinator Grant Opportunity

The GIANT Company and Planet Bee currently have a pollinator grant open with a quick turnaround time, but I wanted to send it your way in case you knew of anyone if your networks! Here is the link: BEE FRIENDLY GRANTS — Planet Bee Foundation.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • This grant is for any commercial beekeeper, backyard beekeeper, or beekeeper organization that has experienced a loss of colonies due to theft, harsh winters, vandalism, or other causes.
  • Applicants can reside outside of the geographic area, but apiaries must be maintained in the counties listed below:
    • Maryland: Alleghany, Carroll, Cecil and Washington counties.
    • Pennsylvania: Adams, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union and York counties.
    • Virginia: Augusta, Clarke, Culpeper, Frederick, Rockingham and Warren counties.
    • West Virginia: Berkeley, Jefferson, and Mineral counties.

Grant Timelines:

  • Grant will open on May 15, 2023. Online submissions only. No applications will be accepted by post or email.
  • All grant applications will be accepted until 8:00pm EST on May 31, 2023NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
  • Grant winners will be announced in early June 2023.

PSBA Summer Picnic 2023

Our next picnic will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Fisher Bee Farm, located at 1 Queen Bee Lane, McVeytown. A guest speaker and multiple educational presentations are planned. Registration is requested as it helps with planning to have an idea how many people to expect. More details and directions will follow as the event approaches  You can register by clicking here.  


PA State Apiary Inspection

The 2023 PA State Apiary Inspection season has begun. Find your local inspector by clicking on your county on our map. The entire list of local inspector's names and contact information is also available on that same page.

Meet the 2023 Apiary Inspection Team


2023 Pennsylvania Honey Queen Brochures


Queen Paige Rhyne and Princess Natalie Shimo's 2023 Pennsylvania Honey Queen Brochures are now available. A $10 donation for a pack of 100 brochures is requested. You can purchase brochures by contacting Cathy and Lucy at honeyqueen@pastatebeekeepers.org or you may print them from this pdf file if you prefer. 


Western PA Beekeepers Conference

Feb 10-11, 2023 - This was a fantastic event with hundreds in attendance!  Many thanks to everyone who volunteered.  

Slide show recap of the seminar:  https://annieo.smartslides.com/wpba_seminar    <-- click this link

Still photo gallery https://annieoneill.pixieset.com/westernpabeekeepingseminar/

Photo credit to Anne O'Neill and Nancy Andrews

Pennsylvania Farm Show 2023

The 2023 PA Farm Show was January 7 - 14 at the Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association's showcase annual event and the primary source of fund raising for the Pennsylvania Honey Queen Program.  More information is available by clicking here.

PSBA 2022 Fall Meeting & Conference Photos

Click on photos to see full-size images

Beekeeper of the Year for 2022 Selected


The 2022 Beekeeper of the Year award was presented to Gary Carns at this year's PSBA fall conference.


Candidates wanted for 2024 Honey Queen and Princess

The Pennsylvania Honey Queen Program is currently seeking candidates for the 2024 Honey Queen and Princess. Candidate must be a single female, between the ages of 18-24 as of November 1st, who is a resident of Pennsylvania. It is not necessary that the candidate come from a beekeeping background. Further qualifications and details on our Honey Queen Application Form.


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