MABA Bee Neighbor Program

MABA maintains a BEE Neighbor list to help connect MABA beekeepers within their local neighborhoods. This can help you to find a nearby person who can answer your questions or assist you with bee issues. We’re also imagining new ways that the BEE Neighbor list might be used. For example, people might like to arrange carpools to go to MABA meetings/events. Neighborhoods might want to organize social events to get to know each other better. And, of course, it will continue to be a place where you can find BEE help from someone who lives nearby. If you are interested…

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MABA 2025 Beekeeper of the Year

MABA's 2025 Beekeeper of the Year: Micah Coletti This year, MABA received many wonderful nominations for Beekeeper of the Year. The voting by the club’s executive officers was very close, but one beekeeper rose to the top. Please join me in celebrating Micah Coletti, MABA’s 2025 MABA Beekeeper of the Year honoree. Here is a bit about Micah from his nomination: Micah has contributed a great deal to MABA since becoming a director and continues to take on new responsibilities. I appreciate the work he has done running the Junior Beekeepers program. He was able to acquire new bee suits…

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October 2025 MABA Meeting

At our October meeting, MABA will welcome Justin Schoendorf, owner and mead maker at Monks Meadery (579 N Highland Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30307). Founded in 2011, Monks specializes in fun, modern dry-style carbonated meads. As the official mead of the Georgia Renaissance Festival and Dragon Con, Monks brews whimsical flavors like “Dragons Nectar” — a delightful fusion of dragon fruit, passion fruit and hibiscus — and “Faerie Dew” —  an enchanting lavender honey blend. Our October meeting will begin at 6:30 pm with a mentoring session led by MABA member Bryan Luffman, who will discuss his recent unfortunate experiences…

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2025 MABA Honey Show Winners

2025 MABA Show Results Senior Honey Judge Brutz English announced MABA's annual honey show winners on September 28 at the Galloway School. We had an amazing show this year consisting of 70 entries from some 21 participants. The winners of this year’s honey show are: Black Jar - Best Tasting Honey: Cathy Shanks Best in Show: Deb DeWitt (shown at right, for her entry in Notions, Potions and Lotions) Light Extracted Honey 1st: Brian Harris 2nd: Holly Snow 3rd: Jeremiah Young Highly Commendable: Ori Kistenberg Amber Extracted Honey 1st:  Deb Dewitt 2nd: Brian Harris 3rd: Trent Mosely Very Highly Commendable:…

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How to Report Bee Kills

  If you find a large pile of dead or twitching and shaking bees in front of your hive, they likely have encountered pesticides. It may or may not kill the entire colony, but it’s important to report it and request an investigation. The Georgia Department of Agriculture has procedures in place to process your report and send an inspector to your apiary to investigate. Fill out this online form https://gdaforms.wufoo.com/forms/pesticide-incident-form/ Within one business day you will be contacted by the Pesticide Complaint Coordinator who will schedule an inspector to come to your apiary. The inspectors understand that it’s important to…

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May 2026 MABA Meeting

On Monday, May 11, our speaker will be Tucka Bee, a small scale commercial beekeeper,  queen breeder, and candle maker, and owner of Tucka Bee, LLC. Tucka manages about 300 colonies in south Florida. Our meetings are held at our new Westside Provisions District meeting space (1170 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30318; corner of Howell Mill Road and 14th Street). Park in the WSPD parking deck (validated parking), and follow the MABA signs. The new meeting space is a former restaurant space (Unit P10A) located on the ground-floor level of the building immediately next door to the Flower Child restaurant,…

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2026 UGA Certified Beekeeper Testing

On Saturday, May 2, MABA will offer UGA Certified Beekeeper testing. The Certified Beekeeper level is the first step of a four-step program in UGA’s Master Beekeeping program. MABA has been authorized by UGA to administer the exam here in Atlanta. To test at this level you must have at least one year's hands-on experience keeping honey bees. The official text for the program is the 2007 edition of First Lessons in Beekeeping, by Keith Delaplane, which is available for purchase from numerous online sources and at MABA meetings. The exam consists of a written and a practical portion, requiring approximately 2 hours to…

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March 9 Meeting – Kelly Miranda

MABA has an amazing line-up of guest speakers planned for 2026. Mark your calendars and join us!On Monday, March 9,  MABA will welcome Kelly Miranda as our featured speaker. Kelly is a Pesticide Program Specialist with the Georgia Department of Agriculture. She will explain how our state department of agriculture's pesticide incident complaint process  works.  It’s the system that ensures pesticides are used with care, within the law, and without harm to people, animals, or the environment.When someone suspects a pesticide has been applied illegally or caused harm, the journey begins with a complaint. This report is sent to the state’s agriculture department where trained…

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January 2026 MABA Meeting: David Hollomon

On Monday, January 12, at our first meeting of 2026, MABA will welcome David Hollomon as our featured speaker. With New Year's resolutions still top of mind, David will speak to us about how to get our beekeeping equipment and tools organized.  One thing that most beekeepers do not enjoy is managing the ever growing volume of equipment that we all end up with. David will share storage and organization options that have worked for other beekeepers in a variety of situations. David is a Georgia Master Beekeeper.  He volunteers at Arrendale State Prison's  beekeeping program.  He is an active member of the Tri-county…

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2025 Holiday Party

SAVE THE DATE and celebrate the end of another beekeeping season with your fellow MABA beekeepers! MABA’s annual holiday celebration and bee-themed gift exchange will take place on Friday evening, December 12th, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM at Manuel’s Tavern (602 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30307). MABA will purchase some hot and cold appetizers, and desserts to share. Club members may buy their own drinks and meals if desired. Bring an inexpensive, fun, bee-themed gift for our annual group gift exchange. It's always a wonderful way to close out the year. Join us! To get a head-count, please…

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