SCBA Summer Conference 2018
July 19-21, 2018
The SCBA Summer Conference 2018 is the conference for everyone.
Anderson, SC
Why Attend the SCBA Summer Conference 2018?
You will have the opportunity to hear from renowned beekeeping experts and learn techniques to help make you a better beekeeper.
Session topics include:
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Bee Biology Over the Course of a Season
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What Makes a Good Queen
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Viruses
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Mead Making
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Digital Hiving Monitoring
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Beekeeping Therapy
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Tips for Finding Queens
We will be offering certification testing during this event as well. This would be a perfect time to get certified.
You’ll even have the opportunity to enter your honey in our Honey Contest.
And, if photography is your thing, then you can enter your photos in our Photo Contest.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you’re an experienced beekeeper, or are new to beekeeping, you will benefit from this conference.
Are you just thinking about getting into beekeeping? We welcome you to join us as well.
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SCBA Member – $50
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SCBA Family (Member, Spouse and Children) – $75
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Non-Member – $75
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Non-Member Family (Non-Member, Spouse and Children) – $100
Vendors
- Bee Well Honey
- Mann Lake
- Brushy Mountain
- Dadant
- Kelley Beekeeping
- Rossman Apiaries
- Strong Microbials
- Farm Bureau
- Charleston Bee Gardens
- Johnson’s Bees and Supplies
- Wendy’s Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit
- Beekeeper On Duty
- Dark Corner Apiary
Thinking About Becoming a Sponsor?
We have several levels of sponsorship to meet most every budget and would love to have you join us.
Venue
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Anderson Civic Center
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3027 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Anderson, SC 29625 United States + Google Map
Hotel Information
When making reservations please ask for the SCBA reduced rate. You do not have to be a SCBA Member to take advantage of this rate.
Holiday Inn Anderson3509 Clemson Blvd.Anderson, SC 29621Website: Holiday Inn AndersonPH: 864-226-100 |
RatesStandard King Bed or 2 Queen Beds: $95.00Includes breakfast for 1 person per room.1.4 miles from venue |
Comfort Suites Anderson118 Interstate Blvd.Anderson, SC 29621Website: Comfort Suites AndersonPH: 864-622-1200
|
RatesStandard King Bed or 2 Queen Beds: $90.00Includes breakfast4.1 miles from venue |
Featured Speakers


Randy Oliver
foothills of Grass Valley in Northern California.
He and his two sons manage about 1000 colonies for migratory pollination, and produce queens, nucs, and honey.
He has over 40 years of practical beekeeping experience, plus holds B.S. and
M.S. degrees in Biological Sciences.
Randy researches, analyzes, and digests beekeeping information from all over the
world.


Dr. Keith Delaplane
Georgia Honey Bee Program.
Throughout his 27 years at UGA, he has conducted numerous research projects, written
countless articles, supervised a number of graduate students, and is author/editor of
several books.
Dr. Delaplane is also a much sought after speaker on an array
of honey bee topics.


Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda
Her studies in honey bees began in California, where she worked on foraging behavior and genetics.
She worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Purdue University.
Jennifer maintains Clemson University’s hives for Extension and Research and serves as past president of the American Association of Professional Apiculturists, former chair of the STEP committee of the Entomological Society of America, and vice chair of the Heartland Apicultural Society.
Other Speakers
Brad Cavin -SC State Bee Inspector, Bob Binnie -Blue Ridge Honey Co., Kerry Owen -Bee Well Honey Bee Supply, Allen Johnson -Johnson Bee Supply, Daniel or Candy -Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, Andrew Wagner -Mann Lake, Jim Strohm -Charleston Community Bee Gardens, Steve Genta -Award Winning Mead Maker and Senior Welsh Honey Judge, Mark Sweatman -Dark Corners Apiary, Ryan Okey -Department of Pesticide Regulation, Slava Strogolov -Strong Microbials, Bryan Owens – Blue Lion Digital
1:00PM – 5:00PM
Main Hall |
Registration and Vendor Setup |
2:00PM – 5:30PM
Board Room |
MBP Journeyman Review |
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Ballroom A |
Welcome Reception |
8:00AM – 9:00AM
Main Hall |
Registration |
8:00AM – 9:00AM
Ballroom D |
Executive Meeting with Local Association Presidents |
8:00AM – 12:00PM
Meeting Room 1 |
Honey Show/Beeswax Entries
Coordinator: Steve Genta |
8:00AM – 12:00PM
Meeting Room 2 |
Photo Contest Entries
Coordinator: Cynthia Robinson |
9:05AM – 9:15AM
Main Hall |
Welcome |
9:15AM – 10:00AM
Main Hall |
Reading the Combs: Understanding Bee Biology
Speaker: Randy Oliver |
10:00AM – 10:45AM
Main Hall |
What Makes a good Queen: Genetic Selection or Polyandry?
Speaker: Keith Delaplane |
10:45AM – 11:30AM
Main Hall |
Viruses
Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda |
11:30AM – 12:00PM
Main Hall |
Bees Coming and Going
Speaker: Brad Cavin |
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Main Hall Lobby |
Lunch |
1:00PM – 1:45PM
Main Hall |
Things to Consider Before Processing Honey
Speaker: Bob Binnie |
2:00PM – 3:00PM
Apiary |
![]() Must wear protective gear in this session. Note: This session is limited to 30 participants. You may sign up for this session when you check in at the conference. Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda |
2:00PM – 3:00PM
Ballroom A |
Mead Making
Speaker: Steve Genta |
2:00PM – 3:00PM
Ballroom B |
Beekeeper’s Tool Box: Bio-controls and Probiotics
Speaker: Slava Strogolov |
2:00PM – 3:00PM
Ballroom C |
Digital Hive Monitoring
Speaker: Daniel Roath |
2:00PM – 3:00PM
Ballroom D |
Hive Nutrition
Speaker: Andrew Wagner |
3:15PM – 4:15PM
Apiary |
![]() Must wear protective gear in this session. Note: This session is limited to 30 participants. You may sign up for this session when you check in at the conference. Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Tsuruda |
3:15PM – 4:15PM
Ballroom A |
Beekeeping Therapy
Speaker: Allen Johnson |
3:15PM – 4:15PM
Ballroom B |
My Second Year Beekeeping Challenges
Speaker: Jim Strohm |
3:15PM – 4:15PM
Ballroom C |
SCBA Admins/Website Use
Speaker: Bryan Owens |
3:15PM – 4:15PM
Ballroom D |
Tips for Finding Queens
Speaker: Mark Sweatman |
2:00PM – 5:00PM
Board Room |
MBP Certified Level Test, Journeyman Test, Master Beekeeper Test
Note: Must be Pre-Registered |
8:00AM – 9:45AM
Main Hall |
Business Meeting |
8:00AM – 8:10AM
Main Hall |
Presidents Address |
8:10AM – 8:15AM
Main Hall |
Treasurers Report |
8:15AM – 8:20AM
Main Hall |
Secretary Report |
8:20AM – 8:25AM
Main Hall |
Youth Education Report |
8:25AM – 8:30AM
Main Hall |
EAS Report |
8:35AM – 8:40AM
Main Hall |
Honey/Beeswax Show Winners Announcement |
8:40AM – 8:45AM
Main Hall |
Photography Winners Announcement |
8:45AM – 9:00AM
Main Hall |
MBP Update Certificates |
9:00AM – 9:10AM
Main Hall |
Beekeeper of the Year/Junior Beekeeper |
9:10AM – 9:15AM
Main Hall |
Nominating Committee |
9:15AM – 10:00AM
Main Hall |
Beekeeping Agritourism
Speaker: Kerry Owen |
10:15AM – 11:15AM
Ballroom A |
Free Beekeeping Introduction Class
Speaker: Kerry Owen |
10:00AM – 10:30AM
Main Hall |
Department of Pesticide Regulation
Speaker: Ryan Okey |
10:30AM – 11:30AM
Main Hall |
What Nature Can Teach Us About Beekeeping
Speaker: Keith Delaplane |
11:30AM – 12:30PM
Main hall |
Simplified Breeding Suggestions for Varroa Resistance
Speaker: Randy Oliver |