MABA/GBA Metro Atlanta Region Soirée

The Georgia Beekeepers Association and MABA will host a Metro ATL Region Soirée at the Painted Horse Winery and Vineyard on August 21st from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This event hopes to foster community engagement by bringing together beekeepers from the Metro Atlanta Director Region. Registration will close at 5 PM this Friday, August 8. This is your moment to register, if you haven't already - everyone should have a great time. Details below.To sign up for this event, please click here. Registration is limited to one club member and their spouse. We have reserved space for 95 members, and registration will…

August 11, 2025 Meeting

At our August 11 meeting, MABA will welcome Mike Evans, Director,  Plant Protection Division at the Georgia Department of Agriculture. He will be giving us an update on GDA's efforts to eradicate the Yellow Legged  Hornet. In August 2023, yellow-legged hornets (YLH; Vespa velutina) were identified near Savannah, GA, the first time the species has been detected in the U.S. Because the yellow-legged hornet poses a serious threat to honey bees and other pollinators in Georgia, it is imperative that these invasive pests are tracked and eradicated. Last year, some 47 nests were located and destroyed in the Savannah area. This talk will…

AxxLC @ Pixabay, Winner medal

2021 Beekeeper of the Year – Julia Mahood

Julia Mahood is a Georgia Master Craftsman Beekeeper who has been keeping bees since 2004. She created the citizen science website MapMyDca.com to gather data on drone congregation areas. Julia was awarded the Georgia Beekeeper of the year in 2018. A graphic artist, she designed the Georgia “Save the honey bee” license plate. She is passionate about education and teaches beekeeping in Georgia prisons and is active in her local and state bee organizations.https://gabeekeeping.com/Sys/PublicProfile/28591221https://bees.caes.uga.edu/georgia-master-beekeeper-program/master-craftsman-beekeepers.htmlThe MABA beekeeper of the year is someone who has not only demonstrated and promoted good beekeeping, but who also has served the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association…

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2022 Beekeeper of the Year – Ed Morgan

Edward has managed the Junior Beekeeping program for MABA and always goes above and beyond the call. The program remains hugely successful and he has introduced bees to many young people. In addition to his usual willingness to help, he also was instrumental in the rescue of the bees at the Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson airport where he managed the tragedy of dead and dying bees and helped many beekeepers who came to try to help as well.The MABA beekeeper of the year is someone who has not only demonstrated and promoted good beekeeping, but who also has served the Metro…

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2020 Beekeeper of the Year – Jimmy Gatt

Jimmy Gatt is a Georgia Journeyman Beekeeper and recently elected Vice President of Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association. He is an active member of the club and has led Certified and Journeyman classes and the online Facebook mentoring group for MABA. Jimmy also partners with Trees Atlanta to promote summer-blooming, nectar-bearing trees.The MABA beekeeper of the year is someone who has not only demonstrated and promoted good beekeeping, but who also has served the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association as an outstanding volunteer. To nominate someone for this year’s award, fill out this form by September 1. The award will be given…

AxxLC @ Pixabay, Winner medal

2023 Beekeeper of the Year – Ray Jones

Ray has been a valuable resource to new and experienced beekeepers alike. He spends countless hours helping keeps in their apiaries, on the phone, and by text. He is always willing to share his knowledge of plants and nectar flows. He is the first to assist in catching swarms and asks for nothing in return. In his spare time, he is always watching videos and reading the latest research about nutrition, disease, and treatments. Ray serves on the board of the Paudling County Beekeepers Association where is works tirelessly to help promote the club to new beekeepers. He is always willing to…

October Meeting

At MABA's October 14 meeting our speaker will be 2023-24 Georgia Tech Beekeeper in Residence Janelle Dunlap. Janelle's experience in beekeeping spans various roles, from supporting small farms to conducting research. Currently, as the inaugural Resident Beekeeper at the Georgia Institute of Technology's Urban Honeybee Project, she not only manages hives but conducts research on the vibratory frequency of honey bees. Prior to this, Janelle managed multiple hives for small farms in North Carolina, volunteered as a resident beekeeper for the Sustainability Village at Johnson C. Smith University, a community garden in partnership with herbalists during the 2020 pandemic and…

July 14, 2025 Meeting

At our July meeting, MABA will welcome Dr. Cameron Jack, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Entomology and Nematology Department at the University of Florida. He will be speaking on the topic of "Educating the Next Generation of Beekeepers." Cameron has been interested in beekeeping since his youth and now teaches several courses related to honey bees and apiculture at the University of Florida. Cameron has responsibilities in instruction and research related to honey bees. His goal is to create an educational program that prepares students for the many challenges associated with beekeeping and to train those interested in entering…

June 9, 2025 Meeting

Just in time for you to begin making your preparations for MABA’s own upcoming annual event, Julia Mahood will discuss how to prepare winning entries for honey shows. A winner of countless honey show ribbons, Julia Mahood is a Georgia Master Crafts Beekeeper from Atlanta. She is the current president of the Georgia Beekeepers Association and a past president of Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association. Julia started the beekeeping program at Lee Arrendale State Prison and through the GBA assists in starting and supporting prison beekeeping programs in the state. She has won many awards for her honey and hive products.…

UGA Journeyman Test Study Group

Registration is now open for those wishing to take part in this year’s MABA Journeyman Beekeeper test study group. If you have at least two years of practical beekeeping experience, and have held your UGA Certified Beekeeper rank for at least one full year, you are eligible to sit for the UGA Journeyman level test. (For complete requirements, see: https://bees.caes.uga.edu/georgia-master-beekeeper-program/certification-levels-related-requirements.html#Journeyman) Testing will be administered on Thursday, September 11, during this year’s Georgia Beekeepers Association conference in Gainesville, GA. The Journeyman test is challenging, and requires considerable test preparation and independent learning. This study group is intended to help you prepare for…

MABA/GBA Metro Atlanta Region Soirée

August 11, 2025 Meeting

2021 Beekeeper of the Year – Julia Mahood

2022 Beekeeper of the Year – Ed Morgan

2020 Beekeeper of the Year – Jimmy Gatt

2023 Beekeeper of the Year – Ray Jones

October Meeting

July 14, 2025 Meeting

June 9, 2025 Meeting

UGA Journeyman Test Study Group

About MABA

MABA Calendar