Home - Blackwater Beekeepers Association

ABOUT US

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

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.

                                       Our Mission



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.

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 Tuesday 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.

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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.

🤔

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

Keith Martin

Keith

BBA member and past President Keith Martin

took 1st Place and two 2nd Place Ribbons

for his honey at the SC State Fair.

Keith also received 4th Place for his beeswax.

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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Looking for Beekeeping items for the Spring Needs

BBA has obtained special deals from our suppliers.

All items are high quality and often locally sourced.

Order what you need you here.

PICK UP ONLY

We will notify you when the products will be ready for pickup.

Packages, Woodenware, supplies, tools and more.

Check them out.

Equipment cut-off date CLOSED.

Honeybee Package cut-off date Friday - March 14, 2025

Storefront

In the Hive

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

In the Hive March/April