SnoKing Beekeepers Association
Classes, Networking & Support for Beekeepers
FAQs
Frequently Answered Questions answered below:
Q: How do I join?
Q: Why have I received no response . . ?
Q: How do I find my closest bee club?
Q: How do I get a mentor?
Q: Do you offer gift certificates?
Q: How do your beekeeping classes compare to other classes?
Q: I already paid dues to . . . Do I need to pay the SnoKing Beekeepers dues when registering for a class?
Q: Can beekeepers belong to more than one local club?
Q: Why is WASBA certification important?
Q: For which class level should I register?
Q: Aren’t all the WASBA beginner classes the same?
Q: Who teaches the classes?
Q: Are the classes recorded in case I miss one?
Q: Are in-person classes & meetings ever coming back?
Q: Why become a member?
How do I join?
If you take a class, you can pay the dues the first time you register for a class during our dues year, October 1st through September 30th of each year. If you want to join before taking a class, click here for the membership application.
Why have I received no response to the application or contact form I submitted?
Please check your spam or junk folder. To prevent our responses from going to that folder, send a “Hi” message to eliochel@snokingbka.org, particularly if your concern is time urgent (for example, signing up for a class close to the start date). If you do not receive the newsletter, class updates or any other expected club emails from SKBA, please check that eliochel@snokingbka.org has been added to your contacts or "safe sender" list.
How do I find my closest bee club?
For the closest Washington State Beekeepers Association (WASBA) member local club, go to www.wasba.org and look under “Resources” for “Local Organizations.” You can also try Washington Master Beekeepers (WMB), www.wamasterbeekeepers.org to locate one of their member clubs closer to you. However, WMB certifications for levels completed are not accepted by WASBA.
How do I get a mentor?
The popular term “mentor” is used in several different senses in beekeeping. Historically, commercial (more than 50 hives) or sideliner (less than 50) took on apprentices in a traditional master/apprentice. Most beginners seeking a “mentor” aren’t really looking for that kind of relationship. Instead they want someone to help them get started, particularly hands-on. We recommend coming to our HandsOn HiveSides to start getting practical experience, and to meet other beekeepers who might be close to you and willing to meet up or stay in touch.
Do you offer gift certificates?
No, but you can purchase a membership for someone, or pay for a class after you have confirmed with them that they will be able to take a particular session.
How do your beekeeping classes compare to other classes offered?
Just as the other 21 member clubs of WASBA, we use the WASBA curriculum, so any class level can be taken from any of the member clubs and that WASBA class certificate is accepted by other member clubs. This allows beekeepers to find class dates and times that work for them, often joining more than one bee club.
I already paid dues to WASBA or another local bee club. Do I need to pay the SnoKing Beekeepers dues when registering for a class?
Yes, each local bee club is on its own financially and collects member dues to meet its own expenses and/or goals. In order to use the WASBA curriculum and grant the WASBA certification, each club has to pay for the manuals, including WASBA’s shipping fees. WASBA does not contribute financially to its member clubs; the reverse is true -- member clubs contribute to WASBA. To make the dues situation even more complicated, WASBA considers a student’s WASBA dues paid for the year in which a student earns a certificate. However, if the student doesn’t earn the certificate, WASBA does not gift the dues to the student. WASBA sees the dues as a bonus for completion, but not as paid at the time that the local bee club pays for the student.
Can beekeepers belong to more than one local club?
Yes, many do in order to benefit from what different clubs offer at different times of the year: online classes, local resources, meetings with local beekeepers, etc.
Why is WASBA certification important?
The Washington State Beekeepers Association, its 21 member clubs, and various other institutions, recognize the certification. You can take Beginner at one member club, continue with Apprentice at another, and continue with Journeyman at either club or at yet another club.
For which class level should I register?
Because the curriculum is sequential, each level requires completion of the lower level(s) by either taking the test, or challenging that level(s). If you wish to start at an advanced level, please contact Master Beekeeper Eli Ocheltree at 206-859-7392 or eliochel@snokingbka.org about challenging the lower level(s). Experienced beekeepers often challenge Beginner, to start instead with Apprentice.
Aren’t all the WASBA beginner classes the same?
Yes and no. WASBA has 20 member clubs, all using the same core curriculum for WASBA certification. However, each club can add as much or as little to the basic curriculum as desired, and tailor the class to local conditions.
Who teaches the classes?
The background of class instructors varies considerably, but they must be at least supervised by a Journeyman Beekeeper. For the last 3 years, Master Beekeeper Eli Ocheltree has taught all the certification courses SnoKing has offered. However, some classes in 2023 are being taught by Journeymen or Journeyman candidates under supervision of Master Beekeeper Eli Ocheltree who continues to teach some Beginner and all Apprentice and Journeyman.
Are the classes recorded in case I miss one?
An unlisted link of each class recording is provided to class attendees after each class.
Are in-person classes & meetings ever coming back?
We don’t know if in-person will be possible in 2023 for the certification classes. We are already doing the outdoors mini-classes for members.
What are the benefits of paying dues to become a member? After all, most of the website, the newsletter, and the YouTube channel are open to the public, although other bee clubs are charging access to these. Why become a member?
Although we make so much available to the public because our mission is to get beekeepers the resources to be successful, there are still additional member benefits:
HandsOn Hivesides: outdoor mini-classes at our Hiveside Demo sites in Snohomish County (Granite Falls, Maltby, and Sultan)
Extractor loan
Classes fees are at cost only, because the $25 dues have already been paid.