Howard County Beekeepers Association

09/20/2026

Join us for a sweet day learning about bees, how to help pollinators, and what is needed to get started in beekeeping!
When: Saturday, October 24th, 9 AM - 4:30 PM at the Howard County Fairgrounds Dining Hall
Cost: Only $30 per person; children 8-14 free with paying adult
For more info and to register, to go www.hocoba.com/ods-registration

09/15/2026

Mark your calendar now to help HCBA celebrate 50 years of beekeeping and community by joining us for our Beekeepers Bash on October 9th at Sapwood Cellars! To help with the celebration, we will be tapping our 50th Anniversary Special Honey Brew that was made with honey donations from HCBA members. All beekeepers (regardless of club affiliation) and their guests are invited, so we hope to see you there!

08/15/2026

Catch the Howard County Beekeepers at the Fair! 🐝
It is the final day of the Howard County Fair, and we are going out with a buzz! The Howard County Beekeepers Association will be participating in the fair parade today, and we would love to see you along the route.
Here is what you need to know:
* What: Howard County Fair Parade
* When: Today at 5:00 PM
* Don't Miss Out: Today is the last day of the fair
Come cheer on your local beekeepers, celebrate our favorite pollinators, and enjoy the final evening of fair festivities. We cannot wait to see you there!

07/27/2026

The Countdown to the 80th Howard County Fair is on! We hope you are planning to come to the Fair during Fair Week, August 8 - 15th; be sure to stop by the Honey and Beeswax booth to see and learn about the bees, find the Queen, and take home some local honey.

Part of preparing for the Fair includes transporting the animals and equipment, so you will be seeing transport vehicles on the roads. Be sure to give those vehicles space and be patient - the drivers are being cautious to ensure the animals arrive and return home safely.

LOWESVILLE, Va. — Livestock trailers are a common sight on roads, and giving extra space and having patience can help protect both people and animals....

07/08/2026

It's that time of year for mosquitoes, and we hope you will join us to safely reduce them by participating in the Mosquito Bucket Challenge from Homegrown National Park!

Many try to control mosquitoes using broad pesticide spraying/fogging. These types of treatments also kill caterpillars, bees, butterflies, fireflies, dragonflies, and other wildlife, plus they can be harmful to children and pets. The Mosquito Bucket Challenge is a targeted approach to reduce mosquitoes without harming the rest of the ecosystem. It's simple, inexpensive, better for the environment and ecosystem, and helps to protect pollinators, beneficial bugs, and wildlife of all kinds.

Join us in this challenge and encourage your neighbors, too!

Natural mosquito control: The Mosquito Bucket Challenge is a safe, affordable way to control mosquitoes without harming kids, pets, or pollinators.

07/08/2026

🎉 We extend our congratulations to the Catonsville 2026 parade winners.

Business Category: Fireside Stone and Patio.

Faith Category: Mt. de Sales Academy.

Organization Category: Ho Co Beekeepers Association.

School Category: Hillcrest.

Judges' Spirit Recognition Award: Morsberger’s Tavern.

Marie O’ Dea Grand Prize Award: Greater Oella Community Association

07/04/2026

Represent!

07/03/2026

🇺🇸🐝 DOUBLE THE CELEBRATION IN CATONSVILLE THIS 4TH OF JULY! 🐝🇺🇸

Big news, bee family! Not only are we celebrating Independence Day at "Maryland's Best Parade," but the Howard County Beekeepers Association is also celebrating a massive milestone—our 50th Anniversary! 🎉💛

For five decades, HCBA has been keeping our local communities buzzing, supporting Maryland's pollinators, and helping backyard beekeepers thrive. To celebrate 50 years of sweet history, we’ve built a spectacular anniversary float for the 79th Annual Catonsville Grand Parade! 🚜🍯✨

Grab your lawn chairs (we know some of you already have them out on Frederick Road! 😉) and look out for the swarm! Spot the giant bees, our amazing club members, and celebrate 50 years of local beekeeping with us.

📅 When: Friday, July 4th at 3:00 PM (Rain or shine!)

📍 Where: Starts at Frederick Rd & Montrose Ave, proceeding east down Frederick Rd to Bloomsbury Ave.

Bring the family, wave hello, and let’s make some noise! We can't wait to see you on the route! 👋❤️

06/30/2026

Each of us can do small things that help our pollinators in big ways. Next time you see us at an event, be sure to pick up a free copy of our How to Help Pollinators brochure, or visit our website at hocoba.com to request a digital version.

Did you know that pollinators are responsible for every third bite of food we eat? From Eastern Shore watermelon fields to backyard gardens, birds, bees, and butterflies keep Maryland growing! Protecting our over 400 native bee species starts at home. Here are a few quick tips from the Maryland Department of Agriculture to make your yard a pollinator paradise:

06/03/2026

🐝 Attention Maryland Beekeepers & Bee Enthusiasts! 🐝

While keeping honey bees is a rewarding journey, our native wild bees need our eyes and support, too!

Registration is officially open for an exciting University of Maryland extension webinar featuring guest speaker **Dr. Jordan Kueneman from Cornell University** to introduce **Project GNBee (Ground-Nesting Bees)**!

Project GNBee works directly with community scientists (like you!) to better understand where native bees nest across our landscapes, and which environmental and management conditions support their populations over time. Whether you manage a large apiary or a backyard pollinator garden, learning how to identify and protect these nesting sites is a game-changer for local ecosystems.

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✨ Event Details:

* 📅 **When:** Monday, June 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT
* 📌 **Where:** Virtual via Zoom
* 🔗 **Secure your spot today:** [UMD Webinar Registration](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://umd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EAFoagiIQiqpi72HFahjWg%23/registration)

⚠️ **Please Note:** This specific webinar is hosted directly by the **University of Maryland**, not by the Howard County Beekeepers Association (HCBA).

*Spaces are limited, so be sure to register early to receive your unique access link and calendar reminder.*

See you there! 🌸土🐝