Menu
Log in

Login 


Our Mission

Our Mission

The Virginia State Beekeepers Association is dedicated to promoting and preserving the art and science of beekeeping in the state of Virginia.

Our mission is to:

  • Provide effective solutions to the common apiculture problems faced by the members of the Association.
  • Promote the education and adoption of sustainable and productive beekeeping methods throughout the state.
  • Advance both the scientific and practical aspects of apiculture.
  • Cultivate positive relationships with individuals, businesses, and organizations that share a mutual interest in apiculture.
  • Organize events and activities that foster positive relations between Virginia beekeepers and the general public.
  • Encourage the utilization of hive products.

Stay connected and up-to-date with all things beekeeping by following our social media pages for the latest updates, tips, and beekeeping inspiration!

Important Update: Fall Conference Postponed Due to Hurricane Helene

Dear Members,

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe. We’ve been closely following the impact of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm, devastating communities across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and here in Virginia. In light of the widespread damage, power outages, road closures, and ongoing recovery efforts, the VSBA Executive Board has made the difficult decision to postpone our upcoming Fall Conference.

Why This Change?
After much discussion, it became clear that holding the event as planned would not only be unsafe but also inappropriate, given the challenges our members and fellow beekeepers are facing. Many of our members are dealing with the immediate aftermath of the storm—recovering their homes, hives, and communities. We want to respect that by not asking anyone to travel during this uncertain time and instead focus our efforts on supporting one another.

New Conference Dates
We’re tentatively looking at rescheduling for the same location . We will confirm the final dates as soon as we can.

Your Registration Options
If you’ve already registered, you have the following options:

  • Transfer your registration to the new dates.
  • Receive a Credit to use at the next conference.
  • Request a Full Refund if neither option suits your needs.

Our team will be reaching out to each of you directly to discuss your preference and make the necessary arrangements.

What’s Next?
We’re actively working with our venue, speakers, and vendors to ensure a smooth transition and will provide more updates in the coming days. Please bear with us as we work through these changes.

Supporting Our Beekeeping Community
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by this storm. Many beekeepers have suffered significant losses to their colonies, equipment, and infrastructure, and several regions are still dealing with hazardous conditions and blocked roads. By postponing the conference, we hope to keep everyone safe and give our community the space it needs to recover.

We encourage everyone to focus on helping their neighbors and supporting local relief efforts where possible. Together, we can help rebuild and strengthen our beekeeping community.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Admin@virginiabeekeepers.org.

Thank you for your understanding and support. Please stay safe, and keep those impacted by Hurricane Helene in your thoughts.

Warm Regards,
Bill Gartner
President, VSBA


NOMINATIONS

The Nominating Committee is happy to announce the slate for the VSBA 2024-2025 Executive

Board. They have been carefully selected for their strong commitment to beekeeping, extensive

experience and vision for the Virginia State Beekeepers Association. It is the opinion of the

committee that the candidates will best serve the club in the coming year(s). VSBA members

will vote on this slate at the 26 Oct 2024 Board Meeting at the VSBA Fall Conference, in

Wytheville, VA. The proposed slate is as follows:


President (two-year term - continued)

William (Bill) Gartner – current President, serving the second of a two-year term.

First Vice President (two-year term)

Gregory Gonzales – current Vice President, serving the second of a two-year term.

Second Vice President (one-year term)

John Ferree – Northern Virginia Beekeeping Association

Secretary (one-year term)

Kandyce Sherman – Roanoke Valley Beekeepers Association

Treasurer (one year term)

Scott Poling – current Treasurer, willing to serve another term

Please note that additional nominations may be accepted from the floor during the business

meeting, prior to the election. In the event of a floor nomination, there will be a voice vote to

determine the winner. Your active participation in the election process is vital to the future of

our association.


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software