Continuing the Tradition of Beekeeping
The Western Maine Beekeeping Association was established in 1993 as a group of hobbyists meeting to discuss beekeeping. The group began with an annual Bee School in Farmington to encourage more people to take up the hobby of beekeeping and do their own education in the art and science of keeping bees. Today the club continues its educational mission with an annual Bee School for beginners.
Peppered within the beginning students in the classroom are seasoned, established beekeepers of all ages and all levels of experience. We have a mentoring program that matches new beekeepers with successful ones to help encourage and teach them throughout their beginning years. We strongly encourage all new beekeepers to work closely with a mentor for at least one to two years. This mentoring experience offers an educational opportunity for both novice and experts alike. After the classroom experience, we offer open hive events, hosted by club members and at the MV Bees Apiary. These events offer hands-on learning opportunities for everyone. Open Hives are held in spring, summer and fall.
WMBA likes to have fun. If it is not fun why do it? We have a good time at school – you will meet all sorts of people at class and throughout all of our activities. We have an educational booth at the Farmington fair, and also some social events and of course, we talk bees, and you will too! Beekeeping takes knowledge, commitment, and determination plus good old-fashioned work.
We look forward to seeing you in class!
FMI: westernmainebeekeepers@hotmail.com
Membership
Annual dues are $15.00 (single), $22.50 (family) with the membership year running from January 1 to December 31. Fill out form here. Pay using PayPal here (Christopher Bailey). **Please add an additional $2 to cover PayPal fees. Dues can also be paid at the first Bee School day by cash/check payment only, or they can be mailed directly to Chris (email the above for mailing address).
Scholarship
WMBA has created a scholarship fund to help offset books and materials costs for a college-bound student who is majoring in an agriculture field. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please use PayPal here (Christopher Bailey) and specify that the donation is for the scholarship fund, or mailed directly to Chris (email the above for mailing address).
