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Mary is a Georgia master beekeeper, senior honey judge and honey sommelier, level 1.  She is passionate about sharing her knowledge about apiculture, apitherapy and honey judging.    She has been active throughout the country bringing her perspectives on beekeeping and honey judging.

Efficient 5-Minute Hive Inspections: A Practical Beekeeping Guide - Learn how to conduct quick and effective 5-minute hive inspections while covering all the essentials: identifying eggs, larvae, and pupae; checking brood chamber space; and spotting swarm cells. This session also includes demonstrations on the oxalic acid dribble method, queen marking, making hive splits, adding honey supers, and using a queen excluder. We'll wrap up with tips on taking clear, useful notes right on the hive lid. Perfect for beekeepers looking to save time while staying thorough.

Qualifications:

*2012 Certificate in Permaculture Design and Organic Farming at the Regenerative Leadership Institute

*2013 Certificates in Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, and Astronomy at Coursera

*2014 Certificate in Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life at Coursera from The University of Edinburgh

*2015 Appalachian Valley Organics and was one of the 3 founding members of McDowell County Farms

*2020 Awakened Artwork Farm

*2021 Peer Mentor and Member of The Appalachian Beekeeping Collective with 3 Apiaries

*2024 Mentor for Hives For Heroes

*2024 Certification of Instrumental Insemination

*2024 West Virginia Master Level Beekeeper

Beekeeping is HARD - Explore the difficulties of beekeeping in a fun, lighthearted way with Rob of Bee-ing Apis!

Fest’ ‘Tooning with Bee-ing Apis - Have some fun making some pollinator cartoons with Bee-ing Apis!    For kids ages 3 - 103, drawing skills NOT required!  

What is a cartoon?  How does one get started drawing a cartoon?  Come draw or color a Bee-ing Apis bee, create your own unique cartoon characters, or just scribble along!

Bee-ing Apis is a webcomic about bees and beekeeping.  It tries to find the intrinsic humor in honey bees, beekeeping, and life from the point of view of the honey bee.  It's appropriate for everyone, extra funny for beekeepers, entomologists, and bee enthusiasts.  The artist, Rob Hull, started keeping bees and drawing Bee-ing Apis in 2015.  He is involved with/supports his local and (Maine) state beekeeping organizations, and EAS.

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Shanda is the State Apiarist with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and is responsible for managing the WVDA Apiary Program throughout the state.  She works with beekeepers across West Virginia and is very involved in education through working with local beekeeping clubs, schools, and other organizations to increase awareness of the wonderful world of keeping honeybees.  Shanda is a graduate of West Virginia University’s Biology Department and also holds a master’s degree in biology from Missouri State University.   

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Mark is the Head Beekeeper for Appalachian Beekeeping Collective. Mark has been keeping bees in Raleigh County, West Virginia for over twenty years.  He left the insurance industry after 30+ years and joined ABC as a beekeeper/educator. He has a business administration degree from Concord University. Mark is an EAS Master Beekeeper, WV Master Beekeeper, WVBA Beekeeper of the Year 2022, and President of the Raleigh County Beekeepers Cooperative Association.

Hive Dives 101: Getting to Know Your Bees - Join the Newbees for a laid-back, hands-on look inside a working hive! We’ll walk through a standard inspection—how to approach your bees, what to look for, what not to freak out about, and a few tricks to make your time in the hive a little less sticky. Perfect for new beekeepers or anyone who wants to feel more confident at the hive!

Meet The Newbees – Mike, Christian, and Paxton – a dynamic group whose journey into Apiculture began amidst the uncertainties of 2020. This trio, each bringing unique expertise to the hive, discovered a profound connection with the world of bees, evolving their interest into a deep commitment to beekeeping.

Mike, serving as the President of the Monongalia County Beekeepers Association actively works to serve beekeepers and pollinators of West Virginia. His dedication extends beyond the hive as he helps develop programs like the WV Honey Trail to support and enhance the beekeeping community.

Paxton, with a role as a Seasonal Apiarist for the WV Dept of Agriculture and as the head of Newbees Creative, brings a wealth of hands-on experience to the team. 

Christian, adds a scientific touch to the trio with a degree and background in biology. This educational experience enriches their understanding of the intricate lives of bees and the ecological systems they influence.

The Newbees live by the philosophy of "ALWAYS KEEP LEARNING," grounded in humility, recognizing beekeeping as a continuous journey. Their mission extends beyond personal passion; they aim to foster a community of beekeepers, nature lovers, and curious minds. Through The Newbees, they inspire and educate, sharing their passion through events like LIVE Hive Inspections, and contributing to a thriving beekeeping community. 

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MINDFULNESS & BEEKEEPING - Exploring Beekeeping as a Mindfulness Practice and the Impact on Our Overall Health and Wellness

Jasmine Steptoe is a life-long resident of Bluefield and a first generation hobbyist beekeeper. She belongs to the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective as a beekeeping partner. With many eclectic interests and hobbies, she is an enthusiast with a passion for not only beekeeping but vintage collectibles and antiques, flower gardening, wellness, and all activities related to enjoying the great outdoors of the Appalachian mountains. With nearly 14 years of experience in adult male corrections, in varying roles, she has dedicated her career to rehabilitation and growth, most recently providing individual and group counseling to individuals in a residential-style addiction recovery program with special emphasis on cognitive behavioral change and mindfulness-based treatment. When she's not working, she's likely to be spotted at the local thrift stores, on a hiking trail, styling one of her antique booths, or driving around town in her Smart ForTwo with her adorable Yorkie, Axel.

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Ryan Williamson of Sourwood Farm is a second generation beekeeper running a full time bee farm with his family in Earlysville, Virginia.  Ryan manages a diverse operation of 250-300 colonies, producing high-quality honey, candles, nucs, and queens. Working mostly solo, Ryan has a proclivity to tinker, often experimenting with new approaches to improve genetics, production, and equipment. Through his talks, he shares his practical insights, DIY solutions, and lessons learned from his hands-on experience.