The Benton County Beekeepers Association informally began in the Spring of 2014 by founding members Charlie Brewer, Patrick and Kelly Edwards, Shannon and Jennifer Ivy, Joe LaRoche, Elizabeth McCartan, and others who saw a need to promote and provide education about beekeeping in Benton County. The club was formally incorporated as a non-profit organization in August of 2014. The Benton County Beekeepers Association met in Pea Ridge for a couple of years before moving to the Benton County Extension Office in Bentonville. In January 2021, we began meeting in the Family Center of the Cave Springs church of Christ which allows the club to have on site access to working hives for member only field days and other educational activities.
The services and opportunities offered to local beekeepers and the communities in Northwest Arkansas continue to grow.
For beekeepers:
- Monthly meetings
- Beginner short courses
- Additional beekeeping courses
- Use of extracting equipment*
- Mentorship program*
- Field days for hands on experience*
*Club Membership required
For the Community:
- Public speaking Engagements
- Hive sponsorships (Crystal Bridges, Social Homeschoolers Network Academy)
- Junior Beekeeping Program
- Swarm removal/relocation
- Public education of honeybees, beekeeping, pollination and bee friendly plants