WASBA
WASHINGTON STATE BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
Keeping the Bee in Business
Awards & Accolades
Beekeeper of the Year
Beginning in 1987, The Washington State Beekeepers Association wanted to recognize the importance of Washington State beekeepers who make a significant impact on the industry.
Criteria:
The beekeeper of the year must have significantly promoted and demonstrated good beekeeping, improved the public image of the industry and volunteered in civic and other projects. The candidate must be a current member of the Washington State Beekeepers Association.
Local Associations may submit a candidate of their choice to receive the WASBA Beekeeper of the Year Award, to be voted on by the WASBA Executive Board prior to the annual meeting.To nominate a beekeeper, write a one-page summary outlining the candidate’s qualifications as outlined above.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Beginning in 2023, WASBA chose to honor individuals who have dedicated a significant amount of their time to the advancement of the organization, in turn benefitting beekeepers in every region in the state. These individuals are granted with a Lifetime WASBA Membership for their achievements.
Criteria:
The beekeeper must have significantly promoted and demonstrated good beekeeping, served WASBA as an organization for 5+ years or equivalent. The candidate must be a current member of the Washington State Beekeepers Association.
The WASBA Lifetime Achievement Award will be voted on by the WASBA Executive Board prior to the annual meeting. To nominate a beekeeper, email contact@wasba.org
Congratulations to Greg Willging of Bonney Lake, WA
Congrats to Margo Buckles of Spokane, WA
Congrats to Kevin Oldenburg of Spokane, WA
Small Beekeeping Clubs of the Year
None awarded in 2024 - Good luck in 2025!
Large Beekeeping Club of the Year
Correctional Facility of the Year
Congratulations to WCCW!
Past Beekeepers of the Year:
2023: Greg Willging
2022: Ruthie Danielsen
2021: No nominations
2020: No nominations
2019: No nominations
2018: Ellen Miller
2017: No nominations
2016: Tim Hiatt
2015: Lauri Pyne
2014: Alisa Shorley
2013: James Bach
2012: No nominations
2011: Jerry Tate
2010: Mill Markus
2009: Paul Lundy
2008: Bob Arnold
2007: No nominations
2006: Louis Matej
2005: Van Sherod
2004: Wesley B. Tate
2003: Eric Olson
2002: John Timmons
2001: Miriam Bishop
2000: Alice VanWechel
1999: Patrick Ray
1998: Bob Smith
1997: Arlene & Lee Massey
1996: Bob Stump
1995: Jim Pefley
1994: Bob Zahler
1993: Ron Babcock
1992: Ancel Goolsbey
1991: Merrill Kuehn
1990: Dick Hunger
1989: Carl VanWechel
1988: Elwood Sires
1987: Alice Bounces
Past Small Beekeeping Clubs of the Year:
Past Large Beekeeping Club of the Year:
Past Correctional Facilities of the Year:
2023: Stafford Creek Bee Club
The Stafford Creek Bee Club is a peer-led program, instructed and lead by incarcerated individuals. The staff sponsor is very hands-on, and knowledgeable but allows students and instructors to voice their own thoughts and ideas along with research and textbook information. This gives instructors and students confidence, and a boost in self esteem to be able to learn and problem solve together as a team. With this ability to communicate and work together we have accomplished a great deal this beekeeping season.
The Garden Curriculum college course grew several variations of pollinator flowers to plant in our newly developed apiary garden. The colorful flowers transformed our basic bee garden into a visually stunning area in the facility. Read more…