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 honeybee. 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 June 2026
50th Anniversary Celebration with the MSBA and Dr Dewey Caron
Would you like to help ? Please consider a
Donation to our Association
Executive Committee 2026
Diane Wellons
President
Contact: asmbeekeepers@gmail.com
Diane has been keeping bees for 11 years. Is a graduate of the University of Montana Master Beekeepers Program. She stays busy volunteering with the MSBA as a new director.
She is one of the admins for our Facebook group and an active lifetime member of our association. With more than 90 colonies this season, she has her hands full with the bees- She enjoys reading, walking her dogs, and adventures that keep her outdoors.
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.
Todd Degrosselliers
Secretary
Contact: asmbsecretary@gmail.com
Todd is a first-year beekeeper and a retired U.S. Marine. He is also an avid fly fisher and gardener. Bees have always fascinated him so he recently added beekeeping to his hobbies as a way to learn more about them. Todd also enjoys the educational and mentoring opportunities that beekeeping provides as well as the opportunity to socialize with other beekeepers in the community.
Upcoming Events
Happy Keeping Friends!!
Summer beekeeping safety-Tell a friend you are going out to work the bees
PRE-Hydrate- Lots of water, magnesium, potassium. Heat emergencies can happen so
fast. Dizziness, excessive fatigue, confusion are all signs of heat exhaustion. GET INSIDE AND HYDRATE! If you stop sweating, you need to get indoors, hydrate and get someone you trust to monitor you. This could turn into a medical emergency quickly.
Please use caution. Work hives early morning to avoid heat. Late evenings are also ok, but all the foragers are home and you have to deal with their attitudes. Stay safe.
Next ASMB Meeting -Standard Meeting Format-
October 18, 2026, 2PM-5PM- Social Meeting Format
This is our day to Celebrate our 50th Year with a fun Dinner for all members in good standing.
WHERE??
Mechanicsville Volunteer FireHouse-28165 Hills Club Rd, Mechanicsville, MD 20659
Check your Newsletter for more information
Education Opportunity- It's been an interesting season
Sentinel Apiary Testing- Learn about taking bee samples for the UMD bee lab by doing. See your Sign-up Genius emails for details. Plus help inspect and solve problems in the yard as they happen. We found a queen on the ground getting balled up, we found a supersedure in progress and we have had to split one of the Sentinel hives. Learn on the fly with this volunteer opportunity.
Beginner Beekeeper CLASSES COMING FOR 2027-
ASMB 2027 Beekeeping Bootcamp -
Saturday, February 6, 2027, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Prince Frederick Library
Snow Day -
Saturday, February 27, 2027, 11:00AM-5:00 PM
Prince Frederick Library
Price: $50.00 before 31 December 2026
$75.00 after 1 January 2027
ASMB 2027 Beekeeping 101 Class Schedule -*Class #1 -
Price (includes all 3- 101 classes): $100.00 before 31 December 2026
$150.00 after 1 January 2027
Saturday, March 13, 2027, 11:00AM-5:00 PM
Charles County Fairgrounds
Snow Day -
Saturday, March 20, 2027, 11:00AM-5:00PM
Charles County Fairgrounds
ASMB 2027 Beekeeping 101 Class Schedule *Class #2 -
Saturday, April 3, 2027, 11:00AM-5:00PM
Charles County Fairgrounds
ASMB 2027 Beekeeping 101 Class Schedule *Class # 3-Apiary day
Saturday, April 10, 2027, 11:00AM-5:00PM
Penn Mead Lane, Mechanicsville, MD
Rain Day -
April 17, 2027, 11:00AM-5:00PM
Penn Mead Lane, Mechanicsville, MD
Member Volunteer Opportunities-
Maryland State Fair- was amazing - we had a great time in the brand-new farm and garden building-We sold a ton of honey and engaged with so many great folks from around the state! Thanks to all who volunteered their time- Todd D., Allen C., Taco and Mrs. Bell, Diane W.
Charles, St Mary's and Calvert County Fairs- See the Resources corner page for dates and info on each of these fairs- New this year at St Mary's online exhibit entry YOU WILL NEED A NEW EXHIBITOR NUMBER FOR ST MARY'S THIS YEAR and we have a new Honey show Superintendent- Aaron Young has volunteered to chair the St Mary's honey show this year. Please reach out, volunteer and help him make a great debut with fresh ideas and a new look. A warm round of thanks for the many years of dedication from Mr. Walt Williams.
What's Buzzin'?
Seasons Change.....
Living in the moment...but planning for the future.
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.
We had an amazing summer meeting hosting the Maryland State Beekeepers Association and Dr Dewey Caron to Charles Co Fairgrounds. It was a fun day of celebration, learning and making new friends and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
We are looking forward now to the coming State and County Fair season on the horizon.
Showing off our products of the hive and some healthy competition amongst friends. It is always so much fun to talk with the public and entertain the kids at the fair by showing them the honey bees and telling them all about the factoids we have learned and memorized about our favorite hobby. The heat of summer will give way to fall and cooler temps and we will follow the cycle as it moves through the seasons.
I want to remind you all to stay safe out there. Enjoy the learning and have a wonderful summer.
Happy Keeping Friends
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
Go to the RESOURCE CORNER page for more beekeeping information
Announcements
You
ROCK!
Some of our outreach:
ASMB Beginning beekeepers' short course
Earth Day in Leonardtown and
Earth Day at Summer Seat Farm
Chesapeake Natives Flower Sale
Annmarie Sculpture Garden Solomons Island Insectival
Charles County Fair
St. Mary's County Fair
Calvert County fair
Maryland State Fair Honey Booth
RiverFest
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.