A group of committed beekeepers organized the Oregon State Beekeepers Association in 1921, and the ongoing efforts of committed beekeepers have kept the association viable to this day. These efforts are in the interest of the honey bee and contribute to the work of commercial, sideline, and backyard and hobbyist beekeepers alike. The association’s objectives, as written in earlier times, included:

• Bringing together those involved in beekeeping for mutual learning and enjoyment.
• Providing a voice for beekeepers throughout the state and region.
• Representing the interests of beekeepers in legislative arenas—local, state, and national.
• Engaging in publicity, promotion, and education to increase public understanding of the honey bee and its economic importance.
• Supporting, assisting, and engaging in research to increase understanding of the honey bee and beekeeping.
• Promoting the use of honey and other products from the colony and the use of the honey bee in pollination.
• Collecting and dispensing information relevant to the interests of beekeepers—particularly as it relates to the region.
• Promoting apiculture interests through 4-H and other programs geared for youth.

In the past, the association held at least three general membership meetings annually, including a spring meeting with an education program, a summer picnic, and a fall conference with the election of officers. The meetings were held in different parts of the state to increase opportunities for beekeepers throughout the region to attend. Standing committees were assigned to specific areas of interest. Further, announcements were mailed several times a year to keep the membership informed of activities as well as potential issues and areas of concern.

In keeping with these objectives, the association’s accomplishments have included:

• Sponsoring meetings and conferences to inform and continually educate beekeepers.
• Initiating and working for revision of state legislation relative to pests and diseases of honey bees.
• Aiding beekeepers and others working to block proposed anti-beekeeping ordinances in urban areas.
• Working with national organizations on issues affecting beekeeping.
• Lobbying for laboratories at the University of California at Davis and Oregon State University.
• Sponsoring displays at the Oregon State Fair, the Pacific Livestock Exposition, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
• Encouraging beekeeping presentations in schools.
• Promoting youth groups such as 4-H, and mentoring new beekeepers.
• Securing legislation and funding for a state bee inspector and deputy inspectors.
• Working on legislation regarding control of toxic sprays.
• Lobbying the US Congress for honey bee research funds.
• Advocating, with regional growers, for a research and extension position at Oregon State University.

Although meetings, standing committees, and other aspects of the association’s organization have changed over time, the objectives remain much the same today. The work continues to be driven by the commitment of time, energy, and enthusiasm of those who volunteer in the interest of the honey bee and beekeeping in the region.

Today the association is represented throughout the state by its officers and nine regional directors. In addition fifteen regional associations are affiliated with OSBA. Rather than a spring meeting, efforts are underway to reinstate an annual summer gathering. Many regional associations offer bee days and bee schools early in the season.

In addition, the organization is once again offering an Ask A Beekeeper service, providing answers to questions about bees and their management, and continues to share updates through its social media presence. Many of the association’s recent activities continue along the lines of past work and also have involved:

• Representing honey bees in the Oregon Department of Agriculture and other groups involved in management and policy.
• Collaborating with California, Washington, and Idaho state beekeepers associations and the Oregon Department of Agriculture in updating the extension publication, How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides.
• Making donations to academic research programs in Oregon and Washington.
• Setting up and maintaining a booth at the Oregon State Fair and Oregon Ag Fest.
• Supporting the Oregon State University Honey Bee Lab together with stakeholders.
• Setting up and soliciting funding to an endowment for a university honey bee entomologist and research.
• Organizing and hosting fall conferences to provide information and updates relevant to bees and beekeeping.
• Raising money for honey bee research through conference auctions and raffles.
• Matching research fund donations annually, when possible, in support of research at Oregon State University.
• Working jointly with Oregon State University in developing the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program.
• Managing funding through grants to help support development of the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program and research at the Oregon State University Honey Bee Lab.
• Advocating for a standard of identity and labeling for honey.
• Participating in local initiatives in support of beekeeping.
• Working with efforts in the Oregon legislature for the protection of pollinators, most recently through involvement with the Oregon Task Force on Pollinator Health.
• Offering support for the Oregon Bee Project.
• Collaborating with Oregon State University in the production of workshops for commercial beekeepers.
• Working with Oregon State University in the production and dissemination of Residential Beekeeping: Best-practice guidelines for nuisance-free beekeeping in Oregon.
• Providing beekeepers opportunities to interact with one another personally in informal and educational settings.

The association’s membership and leadership have changed over time, yet many of the same individuals have joined and served over and again in various capacities. Some would say that work needed on behalf of the honey bee and beekeeping in the region—through education, lobbying, and/or research—is more critical today than in the history of the association. Just like a the life of a honeybee, our work is never done. As beekeepers, it is our job to advocate and ensure the future vitality of honeybees.