Beekeeping Links and Resources

Table of Contents

• COBKA Public Coordination Links
• COBKA Member Links
• Local & Regional Honey Bee Resources
• State & National Honey Bee Organizations
• Beginner Resources
• Honey Bee Centered Educational Programs & Best Practices
• Regulatory & Legal Considerations
• Honey Showing Preparation & Standards
• Annual Surveys
• Tools
• Meetups

COBKA Public Coordination Links

These coordination resources are available to all visitors, including non-members, to help facilitate beekeeping activities and collaboration within the community.

• Report a Swarm
  Report a honey bee swarm for assistance with removal and relocation.
  https://cobeekeeping.wildapricot.org/Swarm-Page
• Garage Sale Forum
  Buy or sell beekeeping equipment and supplies with the COBKA community.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/COBKA-Garage-Sale-Forum
• Woodenware Order Coordination
  Coordinate group purchases of woodenware with other COBKA members and non-members.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Woodenware-Order-Coordination
• Spring Bee Order Coordination
  Bundle spring bee orders with the COBKA community.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Spring-Bee-Order-Coordination
• Honey Bee Hosting Coordination
  Connect potential hive hosts with area beekeepers.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Hosting-Coordination

COBKA Member Links

• COBKA 'Ask A Master Beekeeper'
  Connects members with an accredited Master Beekeeper for expert guidance.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Ask-a-Master-Beekeeper
• Photography Contest Archives
  Browse entries from COBKA's annual photography contest.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Photography-Contest-Archives/
• COBKA Beginner's Beekeeping School Archives
  Access resources and materials from past beginner’s beekeeping classes.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Bee-School-Booklet-Archives
• Monthly Meeting Slides & Video Archives
  View slides and videos from monthly meetings for ongoing learning.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/COBKA-Meeting-Slides-Archives
• "In the Apiary" Monthly Notes Archives
  Monthly notes on practical beekeeping activities in the apiary.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Apiary-Notes-Archive
• Sign up for the Swarm Lists!
  Register to receive swarm alerts and contribute to local bee rescues.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/SWARM-LISTINGS
• Mentor Forum
  Connect with experienced beekeepers for mentorship and advice.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Mentor-Forum
• COBKA Administration Information
  General administration resources and organizational information for COBKA.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/page-18164
• COBKA Bylaws
  Review the bylaws governing the Central Oregon Beekeepers Association.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/COBKA-Bylaws

Local & Regional Honey Bee Resources

• Regional Beekeeping Suppliers
  A list of regional beekeeping suppliers offering equipment and services.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Suppliers
• Pollinator Pathway
  Learn about initiatives to create pollinator-friendly habitats in Bend, OR.
  https://pollinatorpathwaybend.org/
• Oregon Bee Project
  A statewide initiative promoting bee health, habitat conservation, and educational outreach for Oregon's pollinators.
  https://www.oregonbeeproject.org/

State & National Honey Bee Organizations

• Oregon State Beekeepers Association (ORSBA)
  Resources, events, and support for beekeepers throughout Oregon.
  http://www.orsba.org/
• American Beekeeping Federation
  National organization providing education and advocacy for beekeepers.
  http://www.abfnet.org/
• Project apisM
  501(c)5 non profit founded to support the best science to advance the beekeeping community.
  https://www.projectapism.org/

Beginner Resources

• OSU Getting Started with Bees’ Certificate Program
  An introductory online beekeeping course with certification, covering honey bee biology and hive management.
  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mb/getting-started-bees-certificate-program
• ABF Beginning Beekeeping Toolkit
  Comprehensive guide on beekeeping principles, FAQs, and seasonal hive management for new beekeepers.
  https://abfnet.org/beginning-beekeeping-toolkit/
• COBKA 'Before You Buy Bees'
  Tips for evaluating nucs and packages before purchase and selecting healthy colonies.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Before-You-Buy-Bees/
• Educational Videos
  https://www.projectapism.org/videos-1

Honey Bee Centered Educational Programs & Best Practices

• OSU Master Beekeepers Program
  Comprehensive beekeeping education and certification from Oregon State University.
  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mb
• Residential Beekeeping Best-Practices Guidelines
  Oregon State University Extension guidelines for responsible residential beekeeping.
  https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9186
• OSU Reducing Bee Poisoning from Pesticides
  Best practices for reducing bee exposure to pesticides, with steps for reporting poisoning incidents.
  https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw591
• COBKA Scholarship 'Oregon Master Beekeeping Program Reimbursement'
  A COBKA initiative to motivate & support Central Oregon beekeepers in the completion of the OMB Program.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/COBKA-OMB-Scholarship
• Honey Bee Health Coalition
  Offers resources & programs focusing on hive management, habitat & nutrition, crop pest management, and integrated approaches to support honey bee populations.
  https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
• University of Guelph - Honey Bee Research Centre
  https://www.uoguelph.ca/research/discover-our-research/centres-institutes-groups/honey-bee-research-centre

Regulatory & Legal Considerations

Last updated: March 2025 – Always check official links for the latest information

• Bend - Beekeeping Regulations
  https://bend.municipal.codes/BDC/3.6.300
• Madras - Beekeeping Regulations
  https://madras.municipal.codes/MMC/6.05.170
• Prineville - Beekeeping Regulations
  https://www.codepublishing.com/OR/Prineville/#!/Prineville15/Prineville153.html#153.096
• Redmond - Beekeeping Regulations
  https://library.municode.com/or/redmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH8DERE_ARTIZOST_SUPR_S8.364BE
• Sisters - Beekeeping Regulations
  https://www.codepublishing.com/OR/Sisters/#!/Sisters06/Sisters0605.html
• Sunriver - Beekeeping Regulations
  https://www.sunriverowners.org/home/showpublisheddocument/322/638568101219809138
• Oregon Apiary Registration & Legal Requirements
  Information on Oregon Department of Agriculture's apiary registration requirements.
  https://apps.oregon.gov/SOS/LicenseDirectory/LicenseDetail/606
• Oregon Honey Regulations – ORS 616.766
  State law covering honey labeling and purity standards.
  https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_616.766
• Oregon Produce Standards
  Outlines grading and labeling requirements for agricultural products, including honey.
  https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=603-051-0395
• ODA Food Safety – Honey Guidelines
  Food safety regulations regarding honey production and sales.
  https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/FoodSafety/Pages/Honey.aspx
• Other Local Considerations
  Zoning & Setbacks: Bees often classified as livestock; check zoning restrictions.
  Nuisance Ordinances: Excessive stings/swarming may trigger nuisance complaints.
  HOAs & CC&Rs: Neighborhood rules can override city/county allowances
  

Honey Showing Preparation & Standards

• Showing Your Honey - Regional Calendar Archive
  Guidelines and tips for preparing your honey for shows and competitions.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Showing-Your-Honey
• OSBA Judging Standards
  Archived copy of judging criteria and standards for honey shows at county and state fairs.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/resources/Documents/OSBA%20Judging%20Standards.pdf
• Oregon State Fair - Honey & Hive Products Handbook
  Entry requirements, categories, and judging criteria for the Oregon State Fair 2024.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/resources/Documents/OSBA%20Files/2024-Honey-Products-of-the-Hive-Handbook.pdf

Annual Surveys

• Pacific Northwest Honey Bee Survey:
  https://www.pnwhoneybeesurvey.com
  
• U.S. Honey Bee Health Survey:
  https://www.ushoneybeehealthsurvey.info
  
• Project Apis m. Research & Events:
  https://www.projectapism.org/events
  

Tools

• BeeMD
  An interactive diagnostic tool assisting North American beekeepers in identifying & addressing honey bee health issues, including pests, diseases, & unusual behaviors.
  https://idtools.org/thebeemd
• Honey Bee Health Coalition - Tools for Varroa Management
  https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/resources/varroa-management
• Club Extractor / Equipment Information
  COBKA Members' honey extraction equipment and usage guidelines.
  https://cobeekeeping.org/Equipment-Library
• Inspection Log Sample
  Example inspection log for recording hive observations.
  https://cobeekeeping.wildapricot.org/Inspection-Logs

Meetups

• Central Oregon Beekeepers Association
  https://cobeekeeping.org/events
• COAREC Saturday in the Apiary - Madras
  Sign up for emails & dates by contacting Heike Williams
  Email: Heike.Williams@oregonstate.edu
  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/coarec
• Oregon State Beekeepers Association Events
  https://orsba.org/News-&-Events