A.S.M.B.
The Association of Southern Maryland Beekeepers (ASMB) is a non-profit organization in Southern Maryland that offers support to beekeepers and education to the public about the mighty honey bee. Our aim is to assist beekeepers in our region with new skills and knowledge and to help them become the very best at the art of keeping bees. Our mission is to educate the public about honey bees, and their importance in our ecosystem. We achieve these goals through outreach, education, and volunteer opportunities throughout the community.
ASMB October 2025 Meeting
and Social Dinner
We had fun with a black bag honey tasting, talked about winter hive set up and prep and had great conversation with bee friends.
The Board of Directors 2025
Diane Wellons
President
Contact: asmbeekeepers@gmail.com
Diane has been keeping bees for 10 years. Is a graduate of the University of Montana Master Beekeepers Program. She stays busy these days with her animals and farm in
SO. MD
She is one of the admins for our Facebook group and an active lifetime member of our association. She enjoys walking her dogs, going on flights in her husbands' airplane and adventures that keep her outdoors.
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Allen Craft
Honey bees have always fascinated me. Two years ago I borrowed a swarm trap, thinking I had some time to learn before I caught anything. I had bees in a week. I reached out to the ASMB and found a place to learn. A place I grew to belong. I have 16 colonies to date and enjoy spending time with my Bee Friends. From working in the hives to simple bee chats with friends, I enjoy all aspects of it.
I look forward to growing and the opportunity to help others with this fun hobby.
Joy Burroughs
Treasurer
Contact: asmbtreasurer@gmail.
com
Joy is an accountant by trade and recently fell in love with beekeeping and making products from the hives her husband and daughter started in 2022. It has turned into a family affair. She is excited to be able to utilize her accounting skills, attention for detail and meld that with her new love of the bees. Supporting fellow beekeepers and "beeing" a vital part of the ASMB greater beekeeping community.
Kara Buckmaster
Secretary
Contact: asmbsecretary@gmail.com
Kara is a fourth year beekeeper and graduate student with a background in public administration and emergency management. She enjoys beekeeping as a way to disconnect and decompress from her work and studies. She also appreciates the educational aspect of the hobby and the opportunity to socialize with other "beeks" in the community.
Upcoming Events
Happy Keeping Friends!!
October Dinner Social was Amazing! THAT was the most engaged I have seen this group in a long time. I love the energy and enthusiasm; I can't tell you how exciting is to be a member of this organization. We had 65 beekeepers from around the region turn out for some great discussion and social time with friends.
Meetings are a great place to meet mentors, make connections and find bee buddies. (Beekeeping is way more fun with friends.)
If you are part of the greater beekeeping community here in SoMD, we would love to meet you and maybe learn a new trick or two if you have some to share.
Our organization is growing. We would love to find more young people, teenagers and tweens who are interested in beekeeping. It's not just a grown-up hobby! Our meetings are open to the public. You don't have to be a member to attend standard meetings. We hope you like it enough to join and then participate in some of our members only events.
Next ASMB Meeting -Standard Meeting Format-Officer Nominations and Budget proposals for 2026
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Tuesday Evening December 16th Standard Business Meeting-Open to public.
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Location Harriet Elizabeth Brown Community Center
901 Dares Beach Rd, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
From 6pm-9pm
Business: Nominations of 2026 Officers and Proposed Budget review- Both of these items will be voted on in January
Discussions: Overwintering, Special guest speaker Edward Goodman from Edward Goodman Farm, LLC to talk with us about native plants for pollinators and planning for the summer dearth by planting.
Upcoming Education Program and 2026 Planning for 50 Yr Celebration.
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January 18th- Standard Business Meeting-
LOCATION TBD-
Officer Elections, Budget Approval and Discussions about North American Honey Bee Expo and Preparing for the coming season. Classes/Volunteer participationa and recognition
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ASMB 50 Year Anniversary Celebration with the MSBA
EVENT: MSBA Meeting with Lectures and special guest Dewey Caron, and a celebration of ASMB's 50th year
DAY: Saturday, June 13
TIME: 8:00AM - 2-ishPM
ZOOM: TBA
LOCATION: Charles County Fairgrounds
ADDRESS: 8440 Fairgrounds Rd. La Plata, MD 20646
MSBA MEETING - Come for the Cake, Stay for the Info!
* Special Guest Speaker DEWEY CARON!
* Important Updates on MD's Bees by Cybil Preston!
* Presentations That'll Improve Your Bee Knowledge
* 50th Anniversary of the Association of Southern Maryland Beekeepers (ASMB) Come Have Some Cake!
A fascinating day packed with insights on honey bees & useful tips to keep them.
Education Opportunity-
All New Beekeeper Boot Camps
Sat. 1/24/26 12:30-4:30
Charles County Fairgrounds
8440 Fairground Rd, La Plata, MD
Sat. 1/31/26 12:30-4:30
Fairview Library
8120 Southern Maryland Blvd, Owings, MD
Sat. 2/7/26 12:30-4:30
Leonardtown Library
23630 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD
Early Bird thru 12/31/25: $50
Regular Registration: $70
**To sign up for these classes, please go to the "Beekeeping Classes" page.
The ASMB will teach Mini Classes about Beekeeping in So. MD Beginning in January 2026!
Bootcamp dates are posted- These will be quick forays into the hobby of beekeeping, a preview sized class meant to give folks who might be interested in learning more, a sample taste of what beekeeping is here in SOMD. It's too much information to put in a 6-hour day- But we are going to give you a crash course with more to come in the FULL Beginner Beekeeper Course coming later in the Spring.
Both classes will feature different information and are aimed to help the beginner or intermediate beekeeper learn new skills, new methods and hear how others in the beekeeping community are successfully keeping bees right here in the tri-counties,
Beginner Beekeeper Short Course
Dates: 3/7/26 & 3/14/26 10:00a-4:00p
Charles County Fairgrounds
8440 Fairground Rd, La Plata, MD
4/11/26 (Apiary day) 1:00p-3:00p
Location TBD
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Early Bird Sign up extended thru 12/31/2025 $100
Regular Registration: $150
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Two Saturdays will be filled with information that will help you on your beekeeping journey.
What do you need to get started?
Where to source your bees?
What pests and diseases pose a threat and how to manage and IPM plan?
How to overwinter successfully?
Hobby or business we aim to help you decide and get started on your journey.
Mentorship/Apprenticeship opportunities available to students.
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What's Buzzin'?
Seasons Change.....
Living in the moment...but planning for the future.
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In beekeeping we are always looking to the season ahead. What we are doing right now is typically planned out weeks or months in advance. Our routines are cyclical in nature. We follow the sun just as the bees do as it dictates what comes next.
Spring buildup. followed by nectar flow which moves to honey production then summer treatments, fall condensing and feeding then mite treatments again and on to winter preparations with more feeding if necessary. This circle continues year after year. It's predictable and steady constants keep us looking to the future.
Today I am reporting something new on the horizon. As we welcome the new year a few months from now, we welcome our 50th year as an Association here in Maryland.
We will be celebrating the year and our bees in many ways- One of those will be to host the Maryland State Beekeepers Association June Meeting in 2026 at the Charles County Fairgrounds. We will have guest speakers from afar who began at our association and a historical education for all.
For new beekeepers, past members and current membership alike, we will be asking you to join us in celebrating on June 13th, 2026~ 50 Years of education and stewardship from the Association of Southern Maryland Beekeepers. Keep looking forward, it's going to be a great season ahead!
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Happy Keeping Friends
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Excellent Tools for Varroa Management
Concerned about varroa destructor? Want to know what to do and when? Then take a look at this link to the honey bee health coalition and use their varroa management tool. Varroa Management Decision Tool
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Go to the RESOURCE CORNER page for more beekeeping information
Announcements
Congratulations to Diane --Have fun learning at the American Beekeeping Federation Conference in Reno come January.
Special thanks to the One Hive Foundation for their philanthropic work to help promote opportunities for beekeepers, education, collaboration and inclusivity around the country.
Some of our outreach: ASMB Beginning beekeepers short course with the College of Southern Maryland
Earth Day in Leonardtown and
Earth Day at Summerseat Farm
Chesapeake Natives Flower Sale
Annmarie Sculpture Garden Solomons Island Insectival
Charles County Fair
St. Mary's County Fair
Calvert County fair
State Fair Honey Booth
Sunflower festival-Farm Heritage Conservancy
POP up educational opportunities at schools, scout meetings, etc.
Get in Touch
To contact us, set up a meeting or inquire about an upcoming event, fill out the form and we’ll get right back to you.