DRONE FEST Field Day at Oregon State University

DRONE FEST Field Day at Oregon State University

Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026

Location: OSU Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture, Corvallis, Oregon

Registration: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mb/2026-drone-fest-field-day-osu

The Oregon Master Beekeeper Program invites beekeepers of all experience levels to attend DRONE FEST, a hands-on field day focused on one of the hive's most overlooked and fascinating members—the drone honey bee.

This special event features Julia Mahood, Georgia Master Crafts Beekeeper, drone researcher, creator of the citizen science project Map My DCA, President of the Georgia Beekeepers Association, and the 2018 Georgia Beekeeper of the Year.

Participants will rotate through a variety of interactive learning stations, including:

• Drone frame demonstrations in live colonies
• Brood health and Varroa assessment
• Drone marking (practice before marking queens)
• Building a swarm lure to take home
• Preparing a drone frame for your own apiary
• Blind honey tasting hosted by OMB Master student Diana Dickinson as part of her research on how extraction methods influence honey flavor

The day concludes with a special Drone Fest finale. Lunch is included.

This event is open to everyone. Participation in the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program is not required.

Whether you are a new beekeeper looking to build practical skills or an experienced beekeeper interested in drone biology, breeding, and colony health, this promises to be an informative and enjoyable day.

Space is limited. Advance registration is required.

Register here:

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mb/2026-drone-fest-field-day-osu