- In-Person meetings are held at the United Methodist Church, 22 Main St, Walkersville, MD 21793. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
- Zoom login credentials will be posted one week before the meeting.
JANUARY 7th MEETING 7:00PM – ZOOM ONLY
Kaylin Kleckner, a PhD candidate at the University of Florida Honeybee Research and Extension Laboratory, will be speaking about her research on locating and studying unmanaged wild honeybees in South Africa.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87577386620?pwd=Dv1iP9rW6nYLeM303FopS9yCbVYg9i.1
Meeting ID: 875 7738 6620
Passcode: 874307
FEBRUARY 4th MEETING 7:00 PM – ZOOM ONLY
Louise Petit is a PhD student at the University of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory. Louise will be speaking on pesticide toxicology in beeswax. Louise is the 2025 winner of the Costco and Project Apis m. Scholarship Program to invest in the future of honey bee health. This award recognizes exceptional PhD students whose research explores solutions to critical challenges such as pests, diseases, and sustainable beekeeping. Go here to access the ZOOM meeting: Https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84666460178?pwd=lXKIiIBMWl9Wn7bndKgqw4ofGagipq.1
MARCH 4th MEETING 7:00PM – ZOOM ONLY
Dr. Kaitlin Deutsch U FLORIDA Honeybee Research and Extension Laboratory. Virus sharing between managed and wild bee hives. Go here to access the ZOOM meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87543604879?pwd=2DI0B5GoojdcR7LcKSxZwFdbrm6db5.1
APRIL 1st MEETING 7:00PM – IN PERSON United Methodist Church, 22 Main St, Walkersville, MD 21793. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Russell Sprangler, EAS Master Beekeeper. Make a New Queen for $20
MAY 6th MEETING 7:00PM – IN PERSON United Methodist Church, 22 Main St, Walkersville, MD 21793. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Member Jim Fraser, EAS Master Beekeeper will be discussing splits, swarm prevention, and best practices for replacing foundation.
JUNE 3rd MEETING 7:00 PM – IN PERSON United Methodist Church, 22 Main St, Walkersville, MD 21793. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Russell Spangler, EAS Master Beekeeper. Round table discussion on beekeeping “stuff.” Round table discussion on beekeeping tools and gadgets.
JULY SUMMER BEE BASH (There will also be an in-person meeting in July regarding the Fair. See below entry.)
The 2026 FCBA Bee Bash social event will be held from 12 PM to 3 PM on July 18, 2026, at Loew Vineyards, 14001 Liberty Road, Mt Airy, MD 21771. Please go here to register: 2026 FCBA Bee Bash
JULY 14th Fair-Related MEETING 7:00 PM – IN PERSON United Methodist Church, 22 Main St, Walkersville, MD 21793. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
This is an in-person meeting. All volunteers and honey sellers are encouraged to attend. There have been several changes to the fair this year, and now is the time for questions and clarification
Agenda:
—Discussion of general expectations for all booth volunteers during fair shifts
—Drew will give a short presentation on preparing items for fair entry
—Review of new rule: all honey sellers must enter at least one item for judging
—Review of volunteer requirement: members selling honey must sign up for and work at least one booth shift
—Overview of new honey label requirements and updates to labeling rules
AUGUST 5th MEETING 7:00 PM – IN PERSON United Methodist Church, 22 Main St, Walkersville, MD 21793. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Member Art MacLarty, DVM, of Three Spartans Apiary will be discussing biosecurity practices in the beehive and apiary.
SEPTEMBER 2nd MEETING 7:00PM – ZOOM ONLY
Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Walsh
Research Scientist USDA-ARS, Honey Bees Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Unit Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Topic: Hangry bees: Pollen dearth impacts on honey bee behavior and physiology
Zoom link TBA
OCTOBER 7th MEETING 7:00 PM – ZOOM ONLY
Speaker: Dr. Michele Mansfield
Manager of the Penn State Honey and Pollen Diagnostic Lab
Grozinger Lab/Center for Pollinator Research/ Huck Institute for the Life Sciences
Topic: Diagnostic methods to identify floral resources and evaluate characteristics of honey and pollen.
Zoom link TBA
NOVEMBER 4th MEETING 7:00 PM – ZOOM ONLY
Speaker: Dr. Dan Aurell, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Auburn University Bee Center
Topic: Treating newly split honey bee colonies with organic miticides – an opportunity for integrated pest management of Varroa and his international work on Tropilaelaps mites.
Zoom link TBA
DECEMBER 2nd CHRISTMAS PARTY
Details TBA