Pennsylvania Plant and Pollinator Protection Act

Updated 12/3/2024 - PSBA has been working on the new PA Plant and Pollinator Protection Act to replace the existing bee law.  We received formal confirmation that Senator Carolyn Comitta has introduced the Plant and Pollinator Protection Act.  It now has a bill number, SB 1198, and has been referred to the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. 

Here are some additional documents as a condensed summary and talking points for stakeholders.

PSBA is currently not supporting or opposing the Act (pending information regarding regulations).

PSBA Newsletter

Due to high printing/mailing costs, we are no longer mailing the PSBA newsletter to members.

Our November 2024 newsletter can be viewed by clicking here

Beekeeper of the Year for 2024 Selected

PSBA 2024 Fall Meeting & Conference / I spy books

The PSBA Fall 2024 conference was held October 25-27, 2024 at the Ramada State College Hotel and Conference Center.  Speakers included Fred Dunn (Fred's Fine Fowl & Honey Bees), Peter Fowler (Michigan State University), Lewis Bartlett (University of GA), Hilary Kearney (Girl Next Door Honey), and many others.  Beekeeping courses BK101 and BK201 were offered on Saturday morning.  The current agenda is available.  

PSBA "I spy with All Five Eyes" pollinator coloring & activity books will be available to conference attendees.  $25/case.  40-page books.  48 books/case. 

Click image below for sample pages of activity books.

PSBA Summer Picnic - July 20, 2024

Our family-friendly summer picnic was held on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA.  We had over 250 attendees with plenty of food and a productive business meeting.  There was also a presentation about Overwintering Bee Hives Indoors in Pennsylvania, which is a grant research project occurring Nov 1, 2023 to March 30, 2024 - we learned the results from year 1.

Western PA 2024 Beekeeping Seminar Photos

Feb 9-10, 2024 - This was a fantastic event with hundreds in attendance!  Many thanks to everyone who volunteered.  

https://www.facebook.com/WPABeekeepers/

Pennsylvania Farm Show 2024

The 2024 PA Farm Show was held January 6 - 13 at the Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association's showcase annual event and the primary source of fund raising for the Pennsylvania Honey Queen Program.  More information is available by clicking here.

Beekeeper of the Year for 2023 Selected

The 2023 Beekeeper of the Year award was presented to Steve Repasky at this year's PSBA fall conference.

2024 Pennsylvania Honey Queen Brochures

Queen Cheyenne Bastian-Brown and Princess Libby Heaton's 2024 Pennsylvania Honey Queen Brochures are now available. A $10 donation for a pack of 100 brochures is requested. You can purchase brochures by contacting Cathy and Lucy at honeyqueen@pastatebeekeepers.org or you may print them from this pdf file if you prefer. 

PSBA Summer Picnic 2023

Our summer picnic was held Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Fisher Bee Farm, located at 1 Queen Bee Lane, McVeytown.  We had a great turnout and excellent BBQ provided by Justin Dobrowolsky & Carleen Vorisek.  Photos will be posted shortly.

Western PA 2023 Beekeeping Seminar Photos

Feb 10-11, 2023 - This was a fantastic event with hundreds in attendance!  Many thanks to everyone who volunteered.  

Slide show recap of the seminar:  https://annieo.smartslides.com/wpba_seminar    <-- click this link

PA State Apiary Inspection

The 2023 PA State Apiary Inspection season has begun. Find your local inspector by clicking on your county on our map. The entire list of local inspector's names and contact information is also available on that same page.

Meet the 2023 Apiary Inspection Team