Central Oregon Beekeeping Association upcoming events

COBKA Bees & Brews (06 Aug 2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:30:00 GMT

COBKA BEES & BREWS

Bees & Brews is a casual monthly gathering for beekeepers of all experience levels. No agenda, no presentations...just an informal chance to connect with fellow beekeepers, swap stories, ask questions.

Whether you're a seasoned beekeeper or just getting started, you'll find good conversation and a welcoming crowd.

WHEN & WHERE

First Thursday of each month

5:30 pm Crux Fermentation Project

50 SW Division St, Bend, OR 97702

COBKA August Picnic (15 Aug 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

COBKA SUMMER PICNIC

With Matt Allen and Clyde Dildine

COBKA members and their families are invited to this year’s Summer Picnic on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

We are hosting a relaxed, members-focused summer gathering with hive inspections, queen-finding practice, family crafts, a Bee Family Tree activity, bee storytelling, a drone-spitting contest, and a shared picnic lunch.

Not yet a COBKA member? Become a member here to attend. We would love to have you!

Details

Who: COBKA members and their families
Where: Connie and Linda’s
Address: 9461 NE Smith Rock Loop Terrebonne
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION REQUESTED - FOR PLANNING

Hive Inspections

Advanced Inspection

Matt Allen of Apricot Apiaries will lead the advanced inspection group.

Matt is the founder of Apricot Apiaries in Kimberly, Oregon, where he has extensive hands-on experience managing colonies for honey production, pollination, nucs, packages, and queen rearing.

His session will focus on:

Identifying unusual or concerning hive conditions
Reading colony clues
Recognizing when something does not look right
Strengthening inspection skills beyond the basics

Matt will also lead a queen-finding session and share practical techniques for locating the queen. Members will have time to practice during the event.

Beginner Inspection

Clyde Dildine will lead the beginner hive inspection group.

Clyde is a longtime mentor and beekeeping educator, a past COBKA president, and a lead Oregon Master Beekeeper Apprentice instructor.

He will demonstrate proper hive inspection procedures and help newer beekeepers understand what is normal inside a healthy colony, including:

Brood patterns
Colony behavior
Basic hive observations
Safe and efficient inspection techniques

Schedule

10:00 a.m. - Arrive and settle in

10:30–11:30 a.m. - Hive inspections

Advanced inspection with Matt Allen
Beginner inspection with Clyde Dildine

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. - Queen finding, crafts, and Bee Family Tree activity

12:30–1:30 p.m. - Picnic lunch, bee storytelling, and drone-spitting contest

1:30–2:00 p.m. - Wrap-up and informal visiting

Family Activities

Crafts

Family-friendly activities will include:

Creating a buzzing bee with popsicle sticks
Making lip balm

Bee Family Tree

Who influenced your beekeeping journey? Who have you influenced? How many times have our paths crossed?

The Bee Family Tree activity will help trace the mentors, students, friendships, and shared learning that connect COBKA members.

Storytelling

Bring a funny, memorable, or surprising bee story to share. No polished storytelling skills are required—bee stories tend to do the work themselves.

Drone-Spitting Contest

A drone-spitting contest will be held around lunchtime. Participation is optional, but spectators are strongly encouraged.

Picnic Lunch

COBKA will provide a protein and drinks.

Members are asked to bring a side dish, salad, and/or dessert to share. Honey-inspired dishes are especially welcome.

For homemade dishes, please consider bringing a few printed copies of the recipe.

What to Bring

Participants should bring:

A chair
A picnic blanket, if desired
Appropriate protective beekeeping clothing

A limited number of extra bee suits and veils will be available.

Carpooling is recommended.

Queens Available for Purchase

Matt Allen of Apricot Apiaries will bring a limited number of queens for purchase.

1–5 queens: $40 each
6–10 queens: $35 each

To reserve queens, contact Matt Allen at 541-nine34-9101

About the Venue

Connie and Linda are generously hosting the picnic at their beautiful property in Utopia, with Smith Rock as the backdrop.

Thank you, Connie and Linda, for welcoming COBKA members and their families.

Please Note

This event is limited to COBKA members and their families. COBKA’s traditional public Field Day is taking a break this year and will not be held as a public event.

BECOME A COBKA MEMBER

COBKA Bees & Brews (03 Sep 2026)

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 00:30:00 GMT

COBKA BEES & BREWS

Whether you're a seasoned beekeeper or just getting started, you'll find good conversation and a welcoming crowd.

WHEN & WHERE

First Thursday of each month

5:30 pm Crux Fermentation Project

50 SW Division St, Bend, OR 97702

COAREC Saturday in the Apiary - Save the Date (12 Sep 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

COAREC Saturday in the Apiary

Saturday in the Apiary is a casual, loosely structured learning event held in a relaxed apiary setting. Participants take part in hive inspections, discuss seasonal colony management strategies, and help implement them.

Everyone who is comfortable being around live honey bees is welcome. Please bring your own protective gear, including a veil and gloves. A limited number of veils may be available upon request. This is a free event.

Oregon Master Beekeeper Program Credit

Participants in the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program may earn “In the Bees” points for the Getting Started level or Education points for the Apprentice level.

Journey-level participants who would like to help may contact Heike ahead of time and may earn Service points.

Workshop Invitations and RSVP

Monthly workshop invitations, including an RSVP button, will be sent 5–10 days before each workshop to those who have joined the COAREC mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hYtP7T

Each invitation will include an RSVP link for that specific Saturday in the Apiary. Registered participants will receive a follow-up email with additional details.

For more information, contact Heike Williams at heike.williams@oregonstate.edu.

2026 Saturday in the Apiary Dates

July 11, September 12, October 10, December TBD. Times may vary. Dates subject to change.

September COBKA Meeting (15 Sep 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:30:00 GMT

COBKA September Meeting

Info will be added here asap

COBKA Bees & Brews (01 Oct 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:30:00 GMT

COBKA BEES & BREWS

Whether you're a seasoned beekeeper or just getting started, you'll find good conversation and a welcoming crowd.

WHEN & WHERE

First Thursday of each month

5:30 pm Crux Fermentation Project

50 SW Division St, Bend, OR 97702

COAREC Saturday in the Apiary - Save the Date (10 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

COAREC Saturday in the Apiary

Oregon Master Beekeeper Program Credit

Participants in the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program may earn “In the Bees” points for the Getting Started level or Education points for the Apprentice level.

Journey-level participants who would like to help may contact Heike ahead of time and may earn Service points.

Workshop Invitations and RSVP

Monthly workshop invitations, including an RSVP button, will be sent 5–10 days before each workshop to those who have joined the COAREC mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hYtP7T

Each invitation will include an RSVP link for that specific Saturday in the Apiary. Registered participants will receive a follow-up email with additional details.

For more information, contact Heike Williams at heike.williams@oregonstate.edu.

2026 Saturday in the Apiary Dates

July/August: TBD
September 12
October 10
December: TBD

Times may vary. Dates are subject to change.

October COBKA Meeting (20 Oct 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 00:30:00 GMT

COBKA October Meeting

Info will be added here asap