OSBA Mentor Match Program

“Beekeepers helping beekeepers”

OSBA Members who are willing to be mentors can sign up when renewing or updating their membership information on the OSBA website. Members seeking a mentor can then request a mentor through the OSBA website, and OSBA will send the student’s contact information to up to 3 mentors that are closest to the student’s location. It will be up to the potential mentor to contact the student and agree the mentorship will work, best contact information, etc.

Mentors are expected to have a reasonable level of beekeeping experience as typically obtained in the first few years of beekeeping. They are expected to assist the student by phone email and possibly an occasional onsite visit, or visit by the student to the Mentor’s hive. They are not expected to inspect the student’s hives or take care of them for the student. Mentors are expected to provide their expertise without charge, and are not to use the mentorship as an opportunity to sell goods or services.

Mentor Agreement:

The Mentor agrees to the following:

  • The Mentor agrees to mentor a Student, free of charge and not as an opportunity to sell goods or services.
  • The Mentor is expected to have enough beekeeping experience to manage bee hives through multiple years and can identify and monitor common hive pests and diseases.
  • The Mentor understands they will receive contact information from Students and will contact them promptly and understand Students may be given a choice of Mentors and the Student may not choose them.
  • The Mentor’s job is to answer questions and help the Student be a better beekeeper, not to manage and take care of the Student’s hives.
  • OSBA’s role in the Mentor Match Program is limited to matching a Student to a Mentor. All responsibility lies solely with the Student and the Mentor they choose.
  • OSBA cannot guarantee that every mentor will be sent a potential Student.
  • The mentor shall hold OSBA harmless from any damages due to the mentorship including but not limited to injury, damage to property, and loss of bees.

Student Agreement:

The Student agrees to the following:

  • Upon receipt of my application, the Student understands it will be shared with up to three beekeepers who have signed up as mentors through the OSBA Mentor Match Program.
  • It is up to the Mentor to make contact with the Student, and the Student will be responsible for the mentor chosen. Providing reliable methods of communication will greatly help the Mentor contact the Student (For example, providing a phone number that has a voice mail box that is full or not set up will make it difficult to establish contact.)
  • The Student shall not expect mentors to inspect your hives, visit their hives on a regular basis or take care of their hives. Much of the mentoring may occur by email or by phone as agreed to between the Student and the Mentor.
  • OSBA makes no guarantee as to the knowledge level of Mentors in the program, and cannot control the level of assistance they provide.
  • OSBA cannot guarantee that a Mentor will be available in every area.
  • OSBA and the Mentor cannot guarantee success as a beekeeper.
  • OSBA’s role in the Mentor Match Program is limited to matching a Student to a Mentor.
  • All responsibility lies solely with the Student and the Mentor they choose.
  • The Student shall hold OSBA harmless from any damages due to the mentorship including but not limited to injury, damage to property, and loss of bees.