Congratulations to Dave Marshall, who was honored as MABA's 2024 Beekeeper of the Year at last Sunday's annual Honey Show / Auction and Potluck Dinner. Dave (shown left, accepting his award from MABA President Peter Helfrich, right) is an exceptional beekeeper, mentor, and club swarm commander. Read more about Dave Marshall here >>
Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association Honey Show Rules, 2026 (Word doc) Best in Show is Awarded $250, then in each category 1st Place is Awarded $100, Second Place is awarded $50 and Third Place is awarded $20, in addition to Ribbons and Prize Cards (Black Jar and Novice classes are only awarded 1st Place Ribbons, Prize Cards and $100). General Rules of the Honey Show: The honey show is open to any current MABA member who is attending the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association Potluck Social who wishes to enter one or more classes. MABA members serving as show judges, secretaries and…
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.Any member is eligible except the club's executive officers who evaluate the submissions.Traditionally, past recipients are not awarded the honor a second time.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…
Learn the fundamentals of beekeeping from MABA's panel of experts. We welcome anyone who is interested in learning about honey bees, even if a hive is not in your immediate future.Setting up new hives must be done in the spring, generally from March to May. This course is offered in February to give potential beekeepers time to order bees and equipment and prepare a site for hives. Since the course takes place in February, our classroom course will not involve live bees. During the spring and summer months, hands-on experiences with live bees will be made available to all Beekeeping…
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…
Here’s a good list of places where the recommended trees and shrubs are available for purchase. Contact us here if you have additions to this list. What trees are good for bees?Georgia nurseries selling bee-friendly trees: Nearly Native Nursery: https://www.nearlynativenursery.com - GeorgiaJim and Debi are serious about native plants and are broadly supportive of this initiative to help plant trees for bees. Other nurseries selling bee-friendly trees: Rock Bridge Trees: https://rockbridgetrees.com/ - Tennessee“Trees for Bees” is the secondary logo. Dave Hughes is serious about helping the bees and knows how: plant more trees! Honey Tree Nursery: https://honeytreenursery.com/ - MichiganMike Connor is…
Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association’s Junior Beekeeper programs are unique opportunities for children ages 6* – 13 to experience hands-on learning about honey bees, how they live, and how they make honey.Children will learn all about honey bees and beekeeping using a variety of methods before suiting up in protective gear and visiting a beehive with an experienced beekeeper!The day ends after extracting honey from a hive and participants are sent home with a personalized certificate, small bottle of honey, and other bee related goodies.Each program runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Participants must register in advance.2026 dates and locations:BUCKHEAD…
Ed ran our Junior Beekeeping Program for many years. Under his guidance, the program has expanded in many ways. Ed cares deeply about honey bees and is passionate about the place education plays in the future of beekeeping. His presence in MABA has been vital to what makes us a great club. 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…
Most people know that bees need nectar from flowers to survive. But what kind of flowers? A small leafy plant that flowers is called a forb, and that’s what most people think plants need. But bees don’t get most of their nectar from forbs – bees get most of their nectar from trees! And trees will not only have more flowers than forbs, but their flowers will have more nectar per flower as well. Trees also provide shade and habitat for other wildlife, too. Most trees that provide nectar bloom in the spring, but the time that bees are suffering…
