ABOUT US

Our Association

The South Carolina Beekeepers Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to education and advocacy, ensuring that South Carolina beekeepers have the information and tools they need to meet the challenges of modern beekeeping. Our purpose is education of a scientific nature as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Mission

Our mission includes public education as we strive to provide individuals, and public and private organizations with factual and up to date information about the honey bee, beekeeping, and its importance to our food supply.

We have numerous affiliated beekeeping associations in South Carolina with members who are ready willing and able to talk to you about beekeeping in our state and if you ask, might be willing to tell you where you can get good, wholesome, local honey.

Our Passion

We love promoting beekeeping! Anyone can be a beekeeper on any skill level and economical level. It is a lot of fun and a great project for families to do together or as a neighborhood project.

The benefits of keeping bees far surpass any individual colony. Ultimately, the beekeeper become more in tune with the environment making a huge impact.

Elected Directors

SCBA is a member based organization representative of commercial, hobby, and small-scale beekeepers, as well as other people interested in the promotion and preservation of honey bees and beekeeping in South Carolina. SCBA is governed by elected directors who are all volunteers and serve their regions. They meet regularly to make decisions that guide SCBA forward to meet agendas and goals consistent with the education and advocacy mandate of the bylaws. SC beekeepers can call on their representatives for assistance in addressing beekeeping related issues.

Meet our Executive Committee / Officers

President

Jim Strohm

Board Oversight

Education Committee

President@scstatebeekeepers.com

Interim Vice President

Phillip Felkel

Chair Grants Committee

Co-Chair Summer 2026 Conference

VicePresident@scstatebeekeepers.com

Treasurer

Marika Kary

Youth Education Grants

treasurer@scstatebeekeepers.com

Secretary

Lauren Donaldson

Social Media Development /
Youth Education Grants

info@scstatebeekeepers.com

Directors

Danny Cannon

Vendor Relationships

State Fair

Advertising@scstatebeekeepers.com

Brett Kahley

Sponsor Relationships

Chair Summer 2026 Conference

brett@scstatebeekeepers.com

Lindsay Lennen

David Yannello

Co-Chair Grants Committee /
Chair Spring 2026 Conference

DavidY@scstatebeekeepers.com

Open

TBD

Jill Van Horn

Co-Chair Spring 2026 Conference

jill@scstatebeekeepers.com

Ray Hewitt

Statewide Virtual Bee Chat Development.

ray@scstatebeekeepers.com

Ex Officio Board Members

Susan Crook

Master Beekeeper Program Director

MBP@scstatebeekeepers.com

Brad Cavin

State Apiary Inspector

864-594-0426
scavin@clemson.edu

Ben Powell

Meg Parker

Eastern Apiculture Society (EAS) Delegate

parkers761@gmail.com

Cynthia Robinson

Denise Detrich

President’s Council Liaison / Secretary

PresCouncilSec@scstatebeekeepers.com