2022 Conference Honey Show
OSBA Honey Judge Marjie Ehry and her late husband Alan were commercial beekeepers for over 50 years, starting in 1962 near Dundee, Oregon. In about 1970, Alan built a self-service honey stand in their driveway. The honey stand is still there going strong, a local landmark. In the early 1960s, Marjie and Alan joined the Oregon State Beekeepers Association and became submerged in every function of the group, as well as traveling to American Beekeeping Federation events.
In about 1965, Marjie began helping set up the OSBA honey exhibit at the Oregon State Fair. Today, the Oregon Beekeepers’ display is the largest educational attraction at the state fair. Next, she learned the ropes of judging honey, taking classes throughout the years to increase and refine her skills. She is an expert of all products from the hive thanks to her many activities and varied beekeeping experiences. Marjie was the Oregon Honey Queen program coordinator and chaperone 1969 – 1990 bringing two Queens to the National level (1969 Karen Peterson, 1987 Leslie Kuenzi). She was a founding member of the Willamette Valley Beekeepers Association (1967) and served as OSBA President 1988–1992. She is a Life member of the Oregon State Beekeepers, the Willamette Valley Beekeepers, and the Tualatin Valley Beekeepers Associations.
Marjie’s mission has been, and continues to be, sharing the story of the miraculous honey bee. She believes beekeepers should be very proud of the work they do. The challenges of nature, economics and manmade problems are better solved when beekeepers stick together. The future of our industry and the health of mankind depend on us.