OUR MISSION

The Mission of the Central Oregon Beekeeping Association (COBKA) is to promote effective, economical, and successful regional beekeeping through education, collaboration, communication, and research—all in a spirit of friendship.

WHO WE ARE

COBKA is a volunteer‐run organization. Our community ranges from professional beekeepers with hundreds of hives to backyard hobbyists—and even people who don’t keep bees but are simply fascinated by the honey bee (Apis mellifera).

For insight into how the club operates, including bylaws and administrative details, visit our Beekeeping Links and Resources page. 

WHY JOIN COBKA?

Membership offers many rewards, including:

• Monthly Educational Meetings
  Often featuring guest speakers who specialize in beekeeping or related fields.

• Loaner Honey Extraction Equipment
  Access to shared extraction tools at no additional cost.

• Beginner & Experienced Classes
  Annual educational programs tailored to different skill levels.

• Hands-On Apiary Experiences
  Opportunities to learn practical beekeeping skills in the field.

• Monthly Regional Tips
  Advice specific to Central Oregon’s unique climate and seasonal challenges.

• Community Events
  Including an annual picnic/potluck (when possible).

• Beekeeper Camaraderie
  A friendly network to learn from and share ideas.

Because we’re a volunteer group, the exact schedule of classes, speakers, and events can shift from year to year—but we strive to provide all of the above as consistently as possible.

WHAT WE DO

Monthly Meetings

Every month, an expert speaker—often from a university, a commercial setting, or our own membership—presents on a beekeeping topic. We also host a “Beginners' Corner” beforehand, where new beekeepers can get basic questions answered in a judgment‐free environment. Slides from these meetings are available for members, and monthly beekeeping tips are posted in our Apiary Notes Archive.

Education & Training

COBKA typically offers annually:

• An annual Beginner Beekeeping Course to help new beekeepers succeed in their first season.
• An Intermediate or Advanced Seminar covering deeper beekeeping topics.
• A Public‐Friendly Presentation on broader pollinator themes (e.g., mason bees, native pollinators).
• Hands-on Apiary Field Sessions where we visit member apiaries.
• An annual Club Potluck or Picnic, with opportunities to share and sample our bees and our own labors. 

Online Forums

Members can also access:

• An Open Forum for broad, club-wide questions.
• A Mentor Forum for targeted advice from experienced beekeepers.
• Coordination and classifieds boards to manage bee or queen pickups, equipment pooling, and buying/selling.

Equipment & Swarm List

We maintain an extraction equipment library and a swarm list, so members can borrow tools and assist in capturing or relocating honey bee swarms.

Community & Camaraderie

Just as important as any formal program is the chance to connect with others who love bees and pollination. Whether you’re brand-new or a seasoned apiarist, COBKA is a place to learn from each other.

QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?

We rely on your feedback. If you have ideas for new opportunities or want to refine our existing programs, let us know! Members are also welcome to review our club leadership page. The COBKA board meets quarterly to discuss upcoming events and any needed changes.

Because we’re volunteer‐run, we appreciate your patience and flexibility as we adapt and evolve each season.