Menu
Log in

Login 

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



Packaging: You will be provided with a black bag to cover your honey jar. Please place your 1 lb jar of Honey inside the black bag for submission. Do not label the jar.

Prepare Your Entry: Fill your 1 lb jar of Honey. Ensure that the jar is clean and properly sealed.

Black Bag: Place the jar of Honey inside the provided black bag. This bag will help keep the entry anonymous during judging. Write the bag number on your entry form.

Entry Form: Complete the entry form provided by the contest organizers. Include accurate information about your honey and yourself. Attach the entry form to the bag or include it within the package. Write the bag number on your entry form.

Judging and Prizes:

Judging Criteria: Honey Black jar entries will be judged based on factors such as taste, quality, appearance, and uniqueness. The judges will evaluate each entry blindly, without knowing the participants' identities.

Prizes: Contest prizes can vary and may include gift cards, honey-related products, and a certificate of recognition.

Announcement: Winners will be notified at the Meeting.

Contest results may also be posted on the contest website or through social media.


REGISTRATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2023

PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE MAIN REGISTRATION BEFORE REGISTERING FOR WORKSHOPS

if you need assistance with workshop registrations email admin@virginiabeekeepers.org

 See the list of workshops and schedule on the Event Details page here


Send in your best bee photography and be featured at the VSBA fall meeting and on our website.


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.


How we serve our members


Twice a year VSBA conducts its biannual meetings consisting of lectures, workshops, vendor displays, Master Beekeeper examinations, and business meetings. VSBA sponsors awards and grants to honey bee researchers and graduate students; and offers a scholarship program for undergraduate students.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization from our board members leading the charge to serve our membership to our conference committee and host clubs planning the biannual meetings and committees dedicated to improving how we can best serve our members throughout Virginia. Our Regional Representatives serve the regions of Virginia as the voice from our many local organizations to the state leadership.

We encourage new, experienced, and aspiring beekeepers to join their local organizations not only for educational opportunities but to be a part of growing our community. 
Learn More

Catch the latest Buzz with the VSBA Newsletter! 

VSBA publishes its newsletter, The Commonwealth Buzz four times a year with a wealth of articles from across the state and beyond.  Articles are submitted by executive leadership, our state apiarist and Virginia Agricultural Extension agents.

The VSBA newsletter serves as one of the main sources of communication to its members. If you have exciting news or events happening in your area of Virginia we encourage our members to contact the newsletter editor to submit articles or events for inclusion in the quarterly newsletter. Learn More


Virginia Master Beekeeper Program

The Virginia Master beekeeper program was developed because of the continuing growth of an interest in beekeeping over the last decade. There is a need for competent beekeepers to provide education and assistance to beginning beekeepers and serve in other capacities in our community as experts in beekeeping. The Master Beekeeper program was developed to certify qualified beekeepers to fill this need.

Anyone with an interest in honeybees is invited to participate in this program. All participants must be a member of Virginia State Beekeepers Association to enroll and continue membership to be identified as a VSBA Master Beekeeper. All of the educational offerings to support the program as well as all of the testing are conducted within Virginia. Apprentice, Journeyman and Master Beekeeper written exams as well as the Master lab testing and face to face interviews are only held during the membership conferences. Exam and Testing times will be announced prior to each membership conference. Learn More


Messages from our State Apiarist and VDACS

VDACS Announces 2023 Pesticide Collection Program Dates and Collection Sites

 

Farmers, pesticide dealers, pest control firms, certified applicators, homeowners and golf course operators are encouraged to participate in the 2023 Virginia Pesticide Collection Program. The program collects unwanted, outdated or banned pesticides, at no cost to eligible participants, and disposes of them in a safe manner.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Pesticide Services, with participation from Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, oversee the program, which has collected and destroyed more than 1.5 million pounds of outdated and unwanted pesticides since its inception. The program is funded through pesticide product registration fees collected by VDACS.

The following is a list of the 2023 collection sites and schedule. All locations are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

            Sept. 26 - Lynchburg Livestock Market, 243 Livestock Rd., Rustburg, Va.

            Sept. 27 - Southern States-Farmers Cooperative, 182 Smi Way, Farmville, Va.

            Sept. 28 - Meherrin Ag & Chemical, 1409 Vincent Store Rd., Charlotte Court House, Va.

            Oct. 3 - Nutrien Ag (Fertilizer Warehouse), 204 South Lunenburg Ave., South Hill, Va.

            Oct. 4 - Halifax County Agriculture Marketing Center, 1001 Farmway Ln., Scottsburg, Va.

            Oct. 5 - Piedmont Farmers Cooperative (Formerly known as Southern States Chatham

            Co-op), 485 Tightsqueeze Industrial Rd., Chatham, Va.

            Oct. 11 - National Guard Armory, 315 Commonwealth Blvd. W., Martinsville, Va.

 

In administering the Pesticide Collection Program, VDACS divides Virginia into five regions. Each year, the department conducts a collection in a different region. Once all five regions have been served, the program starts another cycle. Click here for the list of future collection localities.

Participants must transport their unwanted pesticides to the collection sites. If participants cannot safely containerize the unwanted pesticides for transport, VDACS may arrange assistance on a case-by-case basis. Only pesticides will be accepted. Pesticide contaminated material (for example, pesticide contaminated fertilizer) will not be accepted as part of the collection program. In addition, the program does NOT accept motor oil, paint, fuel, fertilizer or other chemicals.

Participants need to complete a pesticide collection registration form prior to the scheduled collection date and return the completed form to ops.enf@vdacs.virginia.gov or mail to Office of Pesticide Services, VDACS, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond Virginia 23218. The form is available at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/disposalregistration.pdf or by contacting the program at (804) 371-6560.

Participants should direct questions to their local Virginia Cooperative Extension agent or to the VDACS Office of Pesticide Services at ops.enf@vdacs.virginia.gov.


The Virginia State Beekeepers Association recently initiated an effort to include the Honey Bee as the State Pollinator among the designated official emblems and designations of the Commonwealth. In 1622 honey bees were reintroduced to North America with the shipment of beehives to the Jamestown Settlement. Since that time the honey bee has traversed the state and continent to provide pollination for agricultural crops as well as plants in forests, meadows, and wetlands. Over the past 400 years the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, has become a naturalized species whose activities benefit other pollinators, wildlife, plant-life, and people. Your assistance and that of your association’s membership is needed to achieve this designation goal.

Please circulate copies of the attached petition among your members. Ask them to take the petition to fairs and festivals, farmers markets, and other meetings and gatherings to acquire support for designating the Honey Bee as the State Pollinator. The signed petitions will be presented to members of the General Assembly.

Pdf Petition Download here

Completed petitions may be mailed to:

Lannie Ballard

100 Pear Tree Lane

Natural Bridge, VA 24578

Digital copies of signed petitions may be emailed in reply to this message.

To sign the petition online visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMubJAc_nJA_0xn3abS8wEOq_eQx0-HhdiuRrHPSUhYRW3zw/viewform.















We are always looking for volunteers on any committee and to run for office during elections. If you think you would be a great addition to the team email us at volunteer@virginiabeekeepers.org

Donations to VSBA go to furthering educational resources for beekeepers, Honey bee research, Environmental preservation and to help aspiring beekeepers.






Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software