Dr. Lewis Bartlett

Assistant Research Scientist 

Department of Entomology and Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases

College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and Odum School of Ecology

University of Georgia

Dr.  Lewis Bartlett is an entomologist and infectious disease biologist who specializes in ecology and evolutionary biology in honey bees at the University of Georgia. His research spans epidemiological modelling of honey bee diseases, field studies on the intersection of pesticides and parasites in honey bees, and novel control for problems like Varroa and small hive beetles. Lewis started beekeeping over ten years ago in his homeland of Yorkshire, England. He has since worked, and kept bees, in multiple cities across the UK and USA including California and Georgia. Lewis teaches both academic biology and extension apiculture with a strong emphasis on simple take-home messages emerging from nuanced scientific understanding. 

Dr. Frank Rinkevich

Dr. Frank D. Rinkevich is a Research Entomologist at the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Laboratory in Baton Rouge LA. Frank has extensive training in insect toxicology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. The goal of Dr. Frank’s research is to provide a basic understanding of pesticide toxicology that is relevant to field conditions in the commercial beekeeping industry. Current research interests in Dr. Rinkevich’s lab include evaluating the effects of pesticide exposure on colony survivorship in commercial beekeeping operations, assessing the capacity and dynamics of metabolic detoxification of insecticides, understanding the genetic, behavioral, and social factors that affect insecticide sensitivity, determining the breadth, depth, and mechanisms of amitraz resistance in Varroa, establishing the effects of fungicides on colony health, and evaluating the performance of honey bee stocks selected for low Varroa populations in commercial beekeeping conditions.

• Expert Team from the SC Center for Cooperative Enterprise Development, Clemson University

This team will be featured in a break-out track on Friday where they will share tools and resources available to help you start or develop your agricultural business.

Youth Program

• Introducing the Importance of Bees and Beekeeping for Ages 7-12 and 13-17

• Thursday Afternoon beginning at 1pm – $5/child; Each child must be accompanied by a parent at no additional charge; Maximum Family $25  (Registration is independent of conference registration)

Introduction to Beekeeping

• An overview of beekeeping. Sessions are geared for adults thinking about becoming a beekeeper

• Thursday afternoon beginning at 1pm – $20/person (Registration is independent of conference registration)

Online Registration is closed.

SCBA Member Rate

• Full 3 days  $140

• Daily Rate $60

• Member Add Ons:

  •  SC Welsh Honey Judging Academy – $85

Complete Academy Information located HERE

• • Master Beekeeper Program Testing

Review Sessions for each level: Certified, Journeyman, and Master will be offered in the morning with testing offered in the afternoon on Thursday, July 21.

Testing Registration Includes:  Your selected MBP Level Test

Optional Testing Add On Prices:

• • • Certified Level Written – $10

    • Journeyman Level Written/Practical – $35

      • Must submit 5 Public Service Credits and 2 Minor Credits PRIOR to testing*
      • Must submit beekeeping portfolio with original credit documentation on day of testing

    • Master Level Written – $75

      • Must submit all credits (10 PSC, 3 Major, 5 Minor) PRIOR to testing*
      • Must submit beekeeping portfolio with original credit documentation on day of testing
      • Master Practical and Oral exams will be scheduled during Summer Conference

*All credits should be submitted electronically PRIOR to testing.

           Send Credits/Questions to  mailto:MBP@scstatebeekeepers.com

 DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR TESTING:  June 30th

Non-SCBA Member Rate

• Full 3 days $150

• Daily Rate $70

Online Registration is closed.

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

1101 Lincoln St
Columbia, SC 29201

Click Here to View a Layout of the Venue. Our conference will be held on the lower level.