Newbees
Interested in becoming a beekeeper but not sure where to start? This page is designed to guide you through each step of the journey.
Bees are truly amazing creatures—working together in complex, organized colonies, pollinating our plants, and producing honey, wax, and other incredible resources that benefit both people and the environment.
From learning the basics of beekeeping to understanding what equipment you’ll need and when to get your bees, we’ve gathered helpful resources to make the process easier.
You’ll also find links to local beekeeping clubs and organizations where you can connect with experienced beekeepers, ask questions, and find mentorship. Whether you’re just curious or ready to start your first hive, this page will help you take the next step with confidence.
1. Join OSBA
We are the Ohio State Beekeepers Association. Helping to provide services and support to our membership, our local associations, and Ohio organizations. OSBA divides Ohio into 9 regions, each with an OSBA Director, OSBA Representative, and OSBA Volunteer(s). Meet your current Board Members. Take time to go through our website to learn about our programs, education, and how we can help you become a better beekeeper.
| Join Today | Download↓ | ||
| Best Management Practices | Download↓ | ||
| License Plate | Download↓ | ||
| Resource Document – loads of links and resources. | Download↓ |
2. Find and Join a Local Beekeeping Organization
You may search for a local club by visiting Local Associations to find your OSBA Region, your county, and the beekeeping organization in/around your area. They will help provide monthly meetings that cover education (speakers, researchers, hands-on), beekeeping resources (bees, woodware, materials), followship (conversations, knowledge sharing), and, if applicable, mentor(s) (board members, follow-along area beekeepers).
If you cannot find a local organization or need assistance, please contact the Regional Director, Representative, or Volunteer.
| Local Associations | Links↓ | ||
| OSBA Board Members | Links↓ |
3. Registering your bees (it’s the law)
Once you have decided to keep bees or already have your apiary set up, it’s time to register your apiary with the ODA (Ohio Department of Agriculture). You will find the link to the New Apiary Application. Follow the directions to complete the Application For Apiary Registration, sign and date it, and include a $50.00 check (only if you sell queens, which includes nucs).
To better utilize the Ohio Department of Agriculture, use the links below.
| Ohio Chapter 909 – Apiaries | Link ↓ | ||
| New Apiary Application | Link↓ | ||
| Apiary Program – Updates | Link↓ |
4. Educational Resources
Now is the time to start educating yourself on how to keep your bees healthy. This starts by understanding what you might find during a hive inspection: pests, diseases, brood stages, uncapped/capped honey, pollen, bee bread, queen cups/cells, swarm prevention, a healthy vs. sick colony, queen problems, and much more.
Your goal is to become sustainable. Thinking outside the box of just creating honey, but to learn backyard queen rearing, produce value-added products, hive manipulation, and educating yourself to pass this skillset on to the next generation.
| OSBA Hive Digest | Link↓ | ||
| Honey Bee Health Coalition – Varroa Guide | Link↓ | ||
| OSBA Videos | Link↓ | ||
| Ohio State Univ. Certificate Program | Link↓ | ||
5. Conferences
| American Beekeeping Federation | January 6-10 | Link↓ | |
| Eastern Apiculture Society | July 27 – 31, 2026 | Link↓ | |
| Southeastern Michigan Beekeepers Assoc. | March 14, 2026 | Link↓ | |
| Ohio State Beekeepers Assoc. | October 24-25, 2026 | Link↓ | |
| Tri-County Spring Workshop | March 6-7, 2026 | Link↓ | |
