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Letter from the President
Well, as the seasons and/or weather goes, I hope everyone is having a good late winter/early spring. Whatever you call it bee season is here in some shape or form by either getting grafts going, assessing food stores, building equipment, reworking honey rooms, or just enjoying talking about bees as many did at the ACES Symposium. Always remember Alabama is basically a three zone state; just because you live in North Alabama and you see someone posting on some social media page they are splitting or grafting they may be from south Alabama, or they are adding suppers, it may not be your time yet. That being said, between now and April is when most beekeepers lose bees to starvation, so be sure they have food stores, just not so much the queen does not have room to lay.
Your Alabama Beekeeper’s Association board of directors is already working on the Fall Conference and things are coming together nicely. As those of you heard me say at last year’s conference, we were not sure of this year’s location due to facilities remodel. I am pleased to announce that we will be back at the same location this year.
Many of you may be receiving emails concerning our zoom board meetings. I want remind all that if your local clubs have a minimum of 10 ABA members then your club president can listen in on those meetings so your local club will know what is taking place at the state level. I would ask that all local clubs please update your information with the ABA as some are not current in the registry.
Please be aware as many of you order packages or nucs that Alabama is a closed border state, meaning that you cannot legally bring bees on comb into the state (i.e. nucs or colonies) so please do your homework and get your bees from a reputable source.
God Bless you and your bees and don’t let the season’s changes catch you unprepared.
Hal Hendrix
President ABA
Letter From the Vice President
Hapbee NEW YEAR! It’s hard to beelieve that it is already middle February! We had some cool BEEUTIFUL weather in January and early February! It’s time to get all of your equipment ready for spring, IT IS COMIMG QUICKLY!
We had a wonderful time supporting ABF in Mobile. Having the conference in Alabama was great and made me proud to bee a beekeeper for Alabama! THANK YOU Jeff Monroe for the fun Photo Booth which was well visited! Thank you to all who helped support their Conference!
We had a great turnout for the ACES symposium in a new location! Thank you to Brian & Michelle Deassis who set up and ran our ABA store, also thank you to board member James Guy and Hal for their help Friday for setup! Thank you to Kelley Fredrick who did a great job with the honey show! Fun was had by all! Ya’ll better get your show entries ready for the Fall Conference honey show! Keep reading for our new exciting Fall Conference theme and bee ready to participate!
I’m excited to announce that our Fall Conference key note speakers have been secured! You will not want to miss Jim Tew, Jerry Hayes and Corey Stevens!
A great lineup of break out speakers and vendors are in the works too! With this beeing the 250’th anniversary of our BEEUTIFUL country our theme is FOR COLONY & COUNTRY! SO excited for this event!
Yall have a great and safe February!
Ya’ll BEE BLESSED!
Allyson A. Andrews
Letter from the Secretary
Hi! I’m ready for spring and I know you all are as well. As you prepare for the bee season, maybe you’d like to read a book?
I recently read a REALLY GOOD BOOK called The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage,
and a Girl Saved By Bees, by Meridith May.
I love books that have honeybees in them. This true story was sad, but as a beekeeper I
appreciated the accurate descriptions of honeybees. The ending was satisfying, and I’m looking forward to discussing it in a virtual book club that Tara Chapman (author of For the Bees) is leading. You can join the group from her Instagram page. It is listed as @twohiveshoney.
I’ve listed books for you with bees in them in the past, and here are a couple more good ones I’ve enjoyed lately with honeybees and beekeeping in them:
The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton – This is a fictional story of what the world would be like without honeybees. Hopefully this never happens, but it was interesting to read.
Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman – A sweet romance and magical, fictional story of generational beekeeping.
I hope your bees made it through winter and are ready to go!
Amy Seiber, Secretary
2026 Fall Conference – SAVE THE DATE!
The Alabama Beekeepers Association Annual Fall Conference is set for September 18 and 19 at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center in Clanton, Alabama…and you don’t want to miss it.
Theme: For Queen and Country
We are excited to welcome confirmed keynote speakers Cory Stevens, Dr. James (Jim) Tew, and Jerry Hayes, with additional speakers to be announced. This year’s program will offer something for every BEEK, from beginners to seasoned experts.
Anticipated topics include:
* All things queens
* The latest research on Varroa mites and treatment options
* Practical beekeeping advice
* Technical research-focused sessions
* Making bee-related products
* Mead and more
* Business, marketing & legal aspects
* New beekeeper classes
* “Ask the Experts” panel discussion with our keynote speakers
New this year:
* The Honey Show will feature special entry categories centered around the conference theme, including a themed gift basket category.
* We will have a large honey tasting bar, where attendees can sample honey from across Alabama, across the country (including special varietals), and possibly even from around the world.
Mark your calendar now! This is a conference you don’t want to miss! Use the QR code to access more information as it becomes available.
Upcoming Educational Events
Alabama Master Beekeepers Annual Conference
Candidates and Masters:
The Alabama Master Beekeepers Program will hold annual classes and testing July 23-25, 2026 at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center in Clanton, Alabama. Please visit the Master Beekeeper Program tab on the ABA website for more information.
2026 Young Beekeeper Scholarship Application
Be sure as you’re out and about to mention Alabama’s Young Beekeeper Scholarship to students who show an interest in beekeeping. This year’s application package is ready to share and print for students to get started. While the application paperwork can look complicated the process is actually simple. All parties interested in participating are encouraged to read the application in its entirety before signing. Parents, student and mentors all understanding their roles is the key to a successful and enjoyable experience for all.
- Student must submit an essay to their local beekeeping club with the application form signed by students and parents no later than June 15.
- The local club assigns mentors, signs additional papers and mails in the essay and completed application form by July 15.
- Winners are announced in August and essays are published in the August ABA Stinger.
- Student attends Fall Conference where the presentation is made and equipment collected. Bees are furnished the following spring.
This and That
Editor’s Note: In 2013 I was unable to attend the Fall Conference when Alabama’s first Master Beekeepers were recognized and awarded. I was not in any of those photos as I was traveling and couldn’t get to Montgomery till the second day of the conference where David Kelton and Allyson Andrews awarded me privately with hugs and a quick photo.
It was the same with last fall’s Beekeeper of the Year presentation. Fate doesn’t seem to want me at my own celebrations so Allyson presented the award privately in December at the best little restaurant ever in the middle of nowhere, Alabama. Another photo, more hugs . . . blessings. Thanks again and I love you all.
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Newest Honey Marketing Trend
Hats off to these clever beekeepers who are tapping a niche market for their products! Several of these brands may be found at major online veterinarian suppliers.
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