Honey Queen Program

Each year a Honey Queen is selected to become the main promoter of Pennsylvania's beekeeping industry. The Honey Queen travels throughout the state speaking at schools, fairs, festivals, beekeeping meetings, etc. She participates in media interviews and is always ready to promote the beekeeping and honey industries. The main focus of the Honey Queen program is education; feel free to invite her to give a presentation at your event. The Honey Queen also represents Pennsylvania each year at the American Honey Queen competition, held during the American Beekeeping Federation Convention.

2013 Honey Queen

Elena Hoffman
2013 PA Honey Queen

Elena Hoffman was selected at the Annual Conference, held November 9-10, to represent PSBA as the 2013 Honey Queen.

Elena, 17, is from Millmont and currently attends Mifflinburg Area High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, is active with track and field, enjoys Chemistry and Biology, and was the recipient of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, in addition to keeping several hives of bees.

The Honey Queen is available to attend schools, libraries, fairs, farmers markets or any other event where the message of beekeeping should be shared. The Queen is trained in giving presentations to all age levels and can also provide cooking demonstrations when requested.

To schedule a promotion with 2013 Pennsylvania Honey Queen Elena Hoffman, or for more information on being a host family for the Honey Queen, contact Rachel Bryson at honeyqueen@pastatebeekeepers.org or 717-643-0010.

A Note from the PA Honey Queen Program Chair
by Rachel Bryson

2012 Honey Queen

Jessica Aurand
2013 PA Honey Princess

The Pennsylvania Honey Queen Program is excited to announce that Jessica Aurand was selected as the 2013 Pennsylvania Honey Princess during the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Jessica, 17, is from Middleburg and currently attends Midd-West High School. She is active with track and plays the saxophone in several school bands. Outside of school, Jessica is active with 4-H, FFA, enjoys horseback riding and caring for her family's hives. Jessica plans on attending college in the hopes of becoming a large animal veterinarian.

Princess Jessica is available to attend various events, include schools, libraries, fairs and farmers markets. We are looking forward to working with both Queen Elena and Princess Jessica this year. To schedule a promotion, contact Rachel Bryson at honeyqueen@pastatebeekeepers.org or 717-643-0010.

PA Honey Queen Report
by Elena Hoffman - 2013 PA Honey Queen

Happy Earth day everyone, or rather, happy Earth month. There was no better way to spend time than to travel throughout Pennsylvania talking and teaching about how important honeybees are to the planet! In April, I went to two wonderful events!

Philly Food and Farm Festival

April started off with a huge event in Philadelphia called the Philadelphia Farm and Food Festival. There was a great turn out at the event and I’d estimate around 3,000 people were in attendance. It was great to spend time not only manning my booth but also being able to spend time with members of the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild. At my booth, I received many great questions about bees and how someone could become a beekeeper. I handed out many brochures to people also interested in becoming a member of PSBA to help them on their way to becoming beekeepers. I also was given the chance to speak briefly on PSBA and the Honey Queen Program at one of the Guild member's Beekeeping 101 presentations. It was a wonderful experience and I would recommend attending the festival next year if you're in the area!

Queen Elena helping kids at Eco Fest

Queen Elena and the kids at Eco Fest

My last event of the month was spent in Shillington Pennsylvania at Eco-Fest. There truly was no better way to spend the weekend before Earth Day than educating students, their parents, and even some teachers on the importance of honeybees and pollination. I had a marvelous day exchanging my stamp on their Eco-Fest cards (this allowed them to move to the second floor of the school for other Earth-friendly games!) and “I Love Honey” stickers for them creating their own bee and telling me one fact they knew about honeybees. Many of the children and parents had plenty of questions and left my booth amazed at some of the information they learned. Even the principal kept returning to my booth to listen in on what new topic I was teaching about honeybees. It was a great day of promoting the industry, PSBA, the Honey Queen Program, and of teaching about honeybees!

My year as Pennsylvania Honey Queen is flying by quickly. As summer is approaching I encourage you to invite me to your fair or festival! Don’t miss out on the chance to have the Honey Queen or Princess at your event! To invite me or Princess Jessica to an event, contact Rachel Bryson, queen program chair, at honeyqueen@pastatebeekeepers.org or 717-300-0146.