OUR MISSION

The Central Oregon Beekeeping Association (COBKA) promotes effective, economical, and successful regional beekeeping through education, collaboration, communication, and research - all in a spirit of friendship.

WHO WE ARE

COBKA is a volunteer-run organization serving beekeepers across Central Oregon. Our community includes professional beekeepers with hundreds of hives, backyard hobbyists, and even people who don't keep bees but are simply fascinated by the honey bee (Apis mellifera).

WHY JOIN COBKA?

COBKA Membership includes:

• Complimentary OSBA Membership

Statewide benefits including The Bee Line newsletter, event discounts, member directory, statewide swarm list, and advocacy support (opt-in required). Learn more and activate your membership at https://cobeekeeping.org/osba.

• Monthly Educational Meetings

Guest speakers specializing in beekeeping, plus a Beginner's Corner before each meeting.

• Member Extraction Equipment

Access to club extraction tools through our equipment library.

• Beekeeper Network & Camaraderie

Meetups, online forums, classifieds, "Ask a Master Beekeeper" service and more. Connect with beekeepers from backyard hobbyists to commercial operators.

• Beginner & Advanced Classes

Annual Beginner's Beekeeping Course and intermediate/advanced seminars whenever possible.

• Hands-On Apiary Experiences

Field sessions at member apiaries to learn practical beekeeping skills.

• Monthly Regional Tips & Meeting Archives

"In the Apiary" guidance and past presentation slides/videos.

• COBKA Local Swarm List

Register to receive local swarm alerts. COBKA updates and promotes our swarm list each spring.

• Group Purchase Programs

Coordinate spring bee/queen orders and equipment purchases.

• Annual Photography Contest & Community Events 

Showcase your photography and connect at our annual picnic/potluck.

• Education & Community Partnerships

COBKA is committed to advancing beekeeping knowledge and supporting the next generation of beekeepers in Central Oregon.

• Oregon Master Beekeeper Program - COBKA actively partners with the OSU Oregon Master Beekeeper (OMB) program. Many of our club leadership are OMB participants or program instructors. We strongly encourage our members to participate in the OMB program and offer area scholarships to help Central Oregon beekeepers complete the certification. Learn more about the Oregon Master Beekeeper program: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mb

• Youth Beekeeping Support - COBKA offers the Naomi Price Youth Scholarship for 4-H youth who want to start or continue beekeeping projects. Contact us to learn more. https://contact@cobeekeeping.org

• Volunteer Opportunities - Beekeeping is sweeter together! We rely on volunteers to help with field days, community demos, educational events, and more. Opportunities include setting up events, greeting guests, running raffle tables, honey sampling, and guiding kids through hands-on activities. Interested in volunteering? Contact us: https://cobeekeeping.org/volunteers

Your membership supports our volunteer-run programming and ensures COBKA remains a thriving resource for Central Oregon beekeepers. As a volunteer organization, the exact schedule of classes, speakers, and events may vary from year to year - but we strive to provide these benefits as consistently as possible.

QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?

Share ideas for new programs or improvements at contact@cobeekeeping.org. Members can review our club leadership page, and the COBKA board meets quarterly to discuss events and member input.

As a volunteer-run organization, we appreciate your patience and flexibility.