Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association

Going Strong Since 1904

Honey Queen Program

Each year, the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association (PSBA) selects a Honey Royalty Court comprising of a Honey Queen and Honey Princess to serve as ambassadors for Pennsylvania’s beekeeping and honey industries. Throughout her reign, the Honey Queen travels across the state representing the PSBA at schools, fairs, festivals, agricultural events, beekeeping meetings, and other community events.

A primary responsibility of the Honey Queen is education and outreach. She shares information about honey bees, beekeeping, pollination, and the importance of Pennsylvania’s honey industry with audiences of all ages. The Honey Queen is also available for media interviews and other opportunities to promote and bring awareness to Pennsylvania’s beekeeping community.

Organizations, schools, fairs, and community groups are encouraged to invite the Honey Queen to their events for educational presentations or appearances. Her goal is to make beekeeping and honey education accessible, engaging, and meaningful to audiences throughout the Commonwealth.

Upon conclusion of her reign, the Honey Queen and Honey Princess may have the opportunity to represent the PSBA at the annual American Honey Queen Competition, held in conjunction with the American Beekeeping Federation Convention, vying for the prestigious titles of the American Honey Queen or American Honey Princess.

2026 Honey Queen and Princess Crowned

👑Honey Queen- Alexis Otstott👑 👑Honey Princess- Jordan Hackenberg👑

2026 Pennsylvania Honey Queen Brochures

Queen Alexis and Princess Jordan's 2026 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 promotions@pastatebeekeepers.org or you may print them from this pdf file if you prefer.

2026 PA Honey Queen

Alexis Otstott - 2026 PA Honey Queen

Alexis Otstott has been chosen as the 2026 Pennsylvania Honey Queen.

Alexis comes from a small town in Perry County, PA. Growing up in the rural countryside, she was no stranger to farming, which sparked her passion for the livestock and poultry industries. She showed livestock through 4-H and FFA and competed in various Learning Development Contests through Newport FFA. Her FFA journey later inspired her to apply to The Pennsylvania State University.

She is currently enrolled and studying Agricultural Sciences, minoring in International Agriculture, Animal Science, and Poultry Science. Being enrolled at Penn State has opened her eyes to the many faces of agriculture and given her experiences that she could not find anywhere else. Upon graduation in the spring of 2027, she plans to move on and work in the poultry industry, preferably with turkeys.

Even though her main focuses are on animals, she hopes to one day have her own self-sustaining farm where she can grow everything from tomatoes to vanilla beans. After enrolling in entomology 222: Honey Bees and Humans at Penn State, having her own hive is now part of her future goals—and maybe one day, she can help advocate for honey bee farming.

2026 PA Honey Princess

Jordan Hackenberg - 2026 PA Honey Princess

Jordan Hackenberg has been chosen as the 2026 Pennsylvania Honey Princess.

From an early age, Jordan’s life has been deeply rooted in the world of honey bees through her family’s commercial beekeeping business. Growing up in this environment provided her with a unique perspective on agriculture, environmental stewardship, and the dedication required to sustain healthy hives. Over the years, she developed a strong appreciation for the complexity of honey bee behavior and the essential role they play in our ecosystem.

Although working with bees was not always her favorite task as a child, Jordan was continually fascinated by observing the hive’s organization and productivity. She especially enjoyed accompanying her mother to local schools, where they educated students about the importance of pollinators and the beekeeping industry. Attending American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) conferences with her family also shaped her aspirations—she admired the Pennsylvania and American Honey Queens and dreamed of one day serving as a representative for the beekeeping community.

Outside of beekeeping, Jordan has pursued a variety of interests with equal dedication. She began dancing at age three, developing discipline, artistry, and an appreciation for hard work through countless hours of practice. Her time playing the piano taught her patience, precision, and the joy of creating something meaningful through careful effort. In high school, she discovered a passion for tennis, a sport she grew to love despite setbacks and injuries that required significant perseverance and recovery. Her resilience allowed her to return to both dance and tennis, and she continues to enjoy playing whenever she can, especially outdoors.

Throughout her life, Jordan’s family has been a source of encouragement, grounding her in values of commitment, integrity, and hard work. She hopes to continue pursuing the activities that have shaped her—especially her involvement in beekeeping—and to use her experiences to inspire and educate others about the vital role of honey bees in our world.