![](https://scstatebeekeepers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-1.png)
Bees, bees, bees!!!! It seems like every day I see or hear about another swarm of honey bees (including my own…oops!) I don’t know about you, but this is the most exciting time of the year as a beekeeper. The bees are expanding, they are happy and easy going, and we are on our way to the honey flow.
We have had a rush of new beekeepers joining our local clubs and SCBA! I encourage you all to reach out to the new beekeepers in your communities and offer to mentor them or let them come work bees with you. While we have a wonderful certified curriculum, time in the hive is where the magic happens and where our new beekeepers can put all of the new information into action. We are so lucky to have a state full of mentors and dedicated folks that give of their time and energy to help other beekeepers. To you, I say a big THANK YOU!
Dear Kim Pettit, we will love you forever …
![](https://scstatebeekeepers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-2.png)
I would like to take a moment and extend my sincerest gratitude for Kim Pettit. Unfortunately, we lost Kim on February 2, 2024. Kim, a Journeyman Beekeeper, was a devoted member of SCBA and never missed a conference. He was instrumental in helping me with the Master Beekeeper Program among other things. For anyone who has tested in the past three years at our conferences, you remember Kim sitting in the exam room helping to proctor and grade exams. Kim was an active member in the Spartanburg, Laurens, and Union clubs and everyone that met Kim loved him. Kim was a dedicated beekeeper and educator in all things beekeeping and spent countless hours mentoring new beekeepers. Kim and his wife, Joy Deer, have made a deep impact on our beekeeping community and we are forever grateful.
‘I LOVED SEEING EVERYONE!’
Our conference was a few weeks ago and I loved seeing everyone. The Master Beekeeper Program was able to certify six new Journeyman Beekeepers and award two Master Beekeepers their certificates that they completed back in October of 2023. Our program is continuing to grow and we are thrilled! In the first quarter of 2024, we have issued the following certificates:
Let’s congratulate our newest Certified Beekeepers!
Maly Roberts-Aiken Beekeepers Association
Ty Luke – Charleston Community Bee Gardens
Nick Yoder – Charleston Community Bee Gardens
Darcie Savage– Charleston Community Bee Gardens
Anna Brown – Edisto Beekeepers Association
Andrea Williams – Mid State Beekeepers Association
Pamela Robinson – Mid State Beekeepers Association
Tom Anderson – Member at Large
Joseph Helms Jr – Member at Large
Susan Mecimore – Member at Large
Let’s congratulate our newest Journeyman Beekeepers!
Chris Bridges – Spartanburg Beekeepers Association
Andrew Brower – Dorchester Beekeepers and Gardeners
Caramea Brown – Chester County Beekeepers Association
Monika Bubacz – Charleston Area Beekeepers Association
Jordan Emond – Charleston Area Beekeepers Association
Lesa Pierce – Member at Large
Let’s congratulate our newest Master Beekeepers!
Rebecca Bills – Charleston Area Beekeepers Association
Sheryl Brousseau – Ridge Beekeepers Association
Enjoy photos of Spring Master Beekeeping Program activity! Have an Awesome Spring ~ Susan Crook, SC MBP Director
Top Left: Spring Conference MBP Testing
Top Right: Robert Freeman, President of the Laurens County Beekeepers Association, donated and installed 2 nucs to Wofford College
Bottom Left: SCBA Master Beekeeper Ed Coleman, MBP Director Susan Crook, and SCBA member Rich Dunn installing nucs at Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston SC
Bottom Right: SCBA Director Jim Strohm and CABA Board member Mickey Howard delivered packages of bees to the Charleston area
![](https://scstatebeekeepers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3.png)
![](https://scstatebeekeepers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-4.png)
![](https://scstatebeekeepers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-5.png)
![](https://scstatebeekeepers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-7.png)