Home - Blackwater Beekeepers Association

Welcome

We are here to help you learn about saving our pollinators and educating those who wish to become successful beekeepers.

The information about local pollinators is focused on Coastal South Carolina. This site updates regularly

We hope you find it valuable

Want to learn more about protecting our pollinators

Consider...

Monthly BBA meetings are free to attend and the annual membership cost is only $15 per year (you do not have to be a beekeeper) and it gives you access to the member side of the website

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ABOUT US

Blackwater Beekeepers Association (BBA) is a non-profit 501 c-5 organization based in South Carolina.

All are members and leaders are volunteer.

Established in 2012 by local beekeepers, BBA aims to foster interest and provide education in the Art and Science of managing Honeybee colonies as well as promoting the need to protect and encourage pollinators.

We cover the coastal plain environment primarily including Horry County but parts of Georgetown County as well.

Our membership includes beekeepers of all experience levels, ranging from beginners with a few colonies in their backyard to seasoned beekeepers overseeing over a hundred colonies as well as those who wish to support the protection of local pollinators.

The protection of our Honeybees is crucial to our world.   They are the primary pollinators creating the means for essential plant reproduction, contribute to our biodiversity and ecosystem health.

They pollinate crops like apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, melon, peaches, potatoes, vanilla, almonds, coffee and chocolate and most all vegetables.    Our grocery stores would be empty of these vital crops in the span of a few years.

Blackwater Beekeepers Association want to educate you so...you can be part of the solution preventing Honeybee and pollinator decline.

You do not have to be a beekeeper to be part of this Association...dues yearly are only $15.   Being a member allows you to access the member side of the website and learn more about the problems facing pollinators in general and specifically honeybees.

                                    Our Mission

Join us and help prevent the loss of our local pollinators

Learn How to Protect Our Pollinators and Our Environment

You do not have to become a beekeeper to join
Members currently include people from 14 to 80+ year old from all occupations with one purpose...
To Protect and Encourage Our Local Pollinators.

The annual membership cost is $15/individual, $25/Family

Join Here

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Do you talk to your plants?

If so...do you think they are capable of responding?

Some new Research will have you singing to them 🤫

Hey...Do you H ear Me?

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The nectar flow in most areas of coastal South Carolina has passed its peak and is beginning to slow.

Honeybees have pollinated the local flowers and those flowers are setting seed. Honeybees are no longer foraging as heavily as the quantity of available plants has significantly diminished.

As we approach June the number of available plants will decline even more. However, depending upon the available moisture there will be sustainable resources available for the colonies.

The honeybees will no longer be building out comb, but will be filling existing comb with nectar, drying it out to just under 20% moisture content and capping it as honey.

They are preparing for the summer dearth and of course adding reserves for the winter months

The behavior of honeybees will change. They will become more defensive and aggressive. They are in protective mode to ensure they have food for the colony to survive.

This behavior is limited to the colony itself and is not an issue of the bees while searching for nectar in their environment.

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Our pollinators are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, unsustainable agricultural practices, climate change and pollution. This is a reality.

Their decline jeopardizes food production, increases costs and exacerbates food insecurity, particularly for rural communities.

Pollination is absolutely necessary for agrifood systems, supporting the production of more than 75 percent of the world's crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. In addition to increasing crop yields, pollinators improve food quality and diversity.

Bees and other pollinators also serve as indicators of environmental health, providing insights into ecosystems and the climate. Protecting pollinators also enhances biodiversity and critical ecosystem services, such as soil fertility, pest control, and air and water regulation.

World Bee Day is celebrated only one day...but represents the need for awareness of a pending issue.

Blackwater Beekeepers recommends you participate in a local Garden Clubs or become a member of Blackwater Beekeepers Association.

Educate yourself so that you help make a difference to the survival locally of our pollinators.

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Report a Swarm

Blackwater Beekeepers Association is growing...now serving more beekeepers throughout Horry County SC and surrounding areas.

The BBA Board of Directors are working to establish better ways to encourage and communicate without excessive drive times.   Monthly meetings in Conway will remain the 2nd Monday of every month.

However, We are blessed to have leaders in both the northern part and southern part of Horry County.   You can now attend meetings that will help you become more successful as a beekeeper, expand knowledge of protecting our important pollinators as the land use and environmental change in our area.

If you reside in Little River/North Myrtle Beach Areas or in the Georgetown, Murrelle Inlet, Pawley Island and surrounding areas you can attend a more local meeting every month and be connected with other beekeepers.

It is our desire that you grow in your hobby or business as a beekeeper but also those who want to protect and encourage pollinators also grow in their understanding of how they can help with pollinator survival.

We are excited...

Georgetown Chapter of BBA is there so that you can learn about Pollinators without having to drive to Conway. Meeting at free for anyone interested to attend.

Regular monthly meeting for the Georgetown Chapter will be held the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm.
Winyah Blueberry Farm
309 Weaver Loop
Georgetown, SC 29440

for more information...

Georgetown Chapter

Big News for you folks in the Little River/NMB area...

The Little River/ NMB chapter of Blackwater Beekeeper Association now meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm. Come early at 6:30 for meet and greet time 👍

The meeting will be held at the Clubhouse on the Island, 4000 Shorecrest Court,Little River, SC 29566

The meetings will be open to the public and there is no charge to attend.

These meetings are in addition to the regular monthly BBA member meetings held in Conway the 2nd Monday of every month and provide local folks, like you, with localized current conditions and solutions that will impact our vital pollinators. 👍

If you are interested in learning about the challenges facing pollinators and honeybees in the Little River/NMB area please consider attending.

For More information...

Little River/NMB Chapter

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Looking for "Raw Local Honey"?

Members of BBA offer this product and you can find who offers it by simply clicking on the "Business Directory" tab.

Availability is for the year usually begins in mid June and is based on the number of managed colonies a member has and the strength of the nectar flow in our area.

Simply call one of the members listed under the "Business Directory" tab that offers Honey for sale.

Blackwater Beekeepers Association does not recommend nor endorse any member because our mission is solely to educate the public about the issue of pollinator decline and support and encourage local beekeepers in the Art and Science of Beekeeping.

Hey Check this out!....

BeesWax – More than just Wax

Beeswax…that stuff honeybees create to raise their young, and store their pollen, nectar and honey.

Just how valuable to man is this stuff?

As with all the products of the honeybee hive beeswax is a natural pharmaceutical. It has apparently lots of properties that benefit man from medicine to skin care products and more.

We have to remember that the honeybee is not part of big pharma.

Honeybees do not care about stockholders or profits…it only cares about survival. Therefore you will not find many scientific studies only general observations from history.

Beeswax is known to help relieve pain, lower cholesterol, assist in healing wounds, treating skin conditions and acne. You have to do your own research. Beeswax doesn’t come with use labels.

In addition many of the products used in skin care contain beeswax. It has properties that moisturize and restore skin. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. You will find it listed as ingredients in the better makeup and balm products. Again do your own research…you can create your own products that work for you using beeswax.

Then there are candles. Candles made of beeswax do not leave a film on your walls and décor like candles made of petroleum products. You breathe easier with beeswax candles.

All these benefits and probably more from a substance made by the humble honeybee who is only concerned about its own survival.

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Children can help secure that Honeybees will be safe for future generations

We have opportunities for students to learn the art and science of Beekeeping.

BBA has programs that will help support the success of a student who wishes to be a beekeeper.

BBA Membership is complimentary for any young individual aged 10 to 17. To become a member of the Blackwater Beekeepers Association, click on "Student Sign Up" below. Upon opening the sign-up form, choose 'Student' in the "Membership Type" dropdown box.

Students and 4H Signup

Donations to:

Brian Fisher Youth Program Fund

will help ensure that these programs continue.

Interesting in Learning More...

Monthly BBA meetings are open to you

There is no cost to attend.

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Every month we meet to discuss things that are going on locally with our honeybee colonies.

We discuss what is happening in our hives,

Meet and socialize with local beekeepers!

It happens every Second Monday each month beginning at 7pm...

The locations is...

Clemson Extension Office

1949 Industrial Park Rd.

Conway, SC 29526

Map Location

In the Hive

Check out what is happening
in Local Hives
over the next few months.

In the Hive May/June

The Blackwater Beekeepers Association aims to enlighten and educate the local community members about the environmental and health benefits of honeybees. We offer knowledgeable local beekeepers who are eager and equipped to deliver engaging and educational presentations to the public.

Presentations are offered for Daycares, Schools, Home Schooling groups, Civic organizations, and Garden Clubs. We provide presentations tailored to suit all age groups and environmental interests. Should your group be interested in a presentation.

The Blackwater Beekeepers Association advocates for and inspires individuals of all ages to explore the intriguing and delightful world of the Honeybee. Whether it's for honey or pollinating your flowers and garden, raising Honeybees is the sole method to accomplish both.

As a South Carolina non-profit entity and an all-volunteer-run association we greatly value donations. Contributions are dedicated to the development and enhancement of initiatives aimed at raising the profile of honeybees, recognizing their vital role as
pollinators for our flora and gardens.

Note: We cannot bring observation hives with honeybees to an event in the cold weather months.

More Details

Request a Speaker

WANT TO

BECOME A BEEKEEPER

To learn about how to start raising your own colony of honeybees and gathering your own honey.

Local Seminars and Courses happening Spring 2025

If you missed the chance to attend the "Beekeeping: Is it Right for YOU" three hour seminar...it will happen again in 2025.
Keeping checking the website for upcoming dates and times.

Want to still determine if Beekeeping is something that you might want to do?

Consider attending one of Blackwater Beekeeper Association's monthly member meetings. There you can hear speakers talk about the issues of beekeeping, meet some local beekeepers and ask questions.

There is no charge to attend one of our monthly meetings.

It happens every Second Monday each month beginning at 7pm...

The location is...

Clemson Extension Office

1949 Industrial Park Rd.

Conway, SC 29526

Map Location

SCBA Certified Beekeeping Course - Basics into the Art of Beekeeping

For those wishing to obtain a deeper understanding into the Art of Beekeeping...A SCBA certified Entry Level Course will be available in early January 2026

This course is for those who are serious in becoming knowledgeable about the art of beekeeping. This is a six week entry level course that will give you an understanding of the benefits and required skills of managing honeybees.

The course is limited to 35 participants.

Attending the BBA one day Evaluation Seminar (available in the fall 2025) is recommended prior to signing up for the course.

If you are interested in finding out more about what is involved in beekeeping…we recommend that you attend a monthly BBA member meeting. They are free and open to the public.

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In the Hive

Check out what is happening
in Local Hives
over the next few months.

In the Hive May/June