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.
Image by The Bay Net contributor Nicholaus Wiberg
ASMB March 2026 Beginner
Beekeeper 101 Class
With Allen Storm MD State apiary Inspector
The Board of Directors 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.
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.
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 - 3:00PM
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 Dr 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.
Be sure to go to the Maryland State Beekeepers Assn website and
preorder your lunch from Apple Spice by June 7th!
Next ASMB Meeting -Standard Meeting Format-
Sunday Evening July 12, 2026
Charles County Fairgrounds
8440 Fairground Rd, La Plata, MD 20646
From 2pm-5pm
Business: Education and Mentorship Program check-in
Discussions: -What's in your hive
- Member Discussion requests: Breakout demos on preparing exhibits for the fairs
Education Content-July Meeting (Pre-Fair Circuit)
- Exhibitor Lecture: Guidance on entering hive products in local fairs.
- Interactive Breakouts (20 mins each):
1. Wax Rendering & Molds –
2. Pollen & Propolis Products/Salves –
3. Honey/Wax Soap & Lip Balms –
4. Mead Making –
Post breakout discussions (30 min)
Education Opportunity- Welcome Summer (I think)!
Sentinel Apiary Testing- Learn about taking bee samples for the UMD bee lab by doing. See your Sign-up Genius emails for details.
Member Volunteer Opportunities-
INSECTIVAL - Saturday, July 18, 9am-1pm at Ann Marie Gardens
13470 Dowell Rd, Solomons, MD 20688
We will host an activity booth with Live bees, and demos of our gear and perform mock inspections, harvest etc. Easy fun day with kids and friends talking about bees.
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.
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!
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
Congratulations to Allen, Todd, Mike B. Aaron Y. Ryan P and Diane and many others from the MSBA who went to NAHBE in January.
Fantastic trip we are already planning to go again next year- Hopefully with a bunch more members.
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.