Home - Blackwater Beekeepers Association

It's summer...no blooming native flowers...we are feeding where we can!

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 or have questions

 You can reach a team member

843-310-2188

You will be directed to one closest to you. Leave a message we will return your call.

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.

Join

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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

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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🐝🐝 Considering Becoming a Beekeeper...Big News of Upcoming Local Informational Seminar coming soon.🐝🐝

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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Did you know that in the 4th century BC...Aristotle when observing the Honey Bee colony assumed that the largest bee in the colony was the "king" and that all the worker bees were "slaves". It wasn't until 1609 that Entomologist Charles Butler published The Feminine Monarchy in which that large bee was first called the "Queen".
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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, save on drive time and be connected with other beekeepers.    You can always attend any meeting anywhere in the county free of charge.

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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🐝 Pollinators are the supporting element of our food supply. You don't have to be a beekeeper to learn how to protect them. Join Blackwater Beekeepers Association...we will help you learn about protecting this important natural resource. 🐝

Learning about Pollinators is no easy task as you can see from the above photos. We encounter some interesting situations.

However learning how to protect our pollinators starts with the one insect that will teach us the most about pollination...the humble Honey Bee. Blackwater Beekeepers Association is about educating our community. We learn, discover and have fun. Doing so we enjoy and learn from each other and have fun....lots of fun.

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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.

Children are becoming more interested in Pollinators as they watch and listen to adults protecting pollinators. Blackwater Beekeeper members want your child to understand the value of pollinators. We welcome children with their parents to attend any monthly member meeting or visit and talk to us at local events. Knowledge is necessary to protect and preserve our pollinators and our children's food supply.

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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.

Report a Swarm

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 July/August

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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Did you know that on average a worker honey bee only lives for about 45 days during the summer. And...an average queen can live up to five years but is only productive for about two before being replaced by the colony.
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In the Hive

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

In the hive July/August