Member meetings are held quarterly at Hempstead Hall on the University of Arkansas Hope Campus, details for each meeting below. Member meetings begin with an educational program presented by a guest speaker. A short business meeting follows the program. Membership is not required to attend the meetings and anyone interested is invited. Non-members can participate in all activities with the exception of voting.
MONDAY
February 16, 2026
REQUEENING
Hempstead Hall UofA-Hope
Spring Hill Suite
Sign-in and Refreshments at 5:30 pm
Program at 6:00 pm
Richard Underhill, EAS Certified Master Beekeeper and former President of the Arkansas Beekeepers Association, the Tennessee Beekeepers Association, and the Memphis Area Beekeepers Association, will discuss how to replace an existing, older, or poorly performing queen (or lost queen!) with a new one to improve colony health, productivity – Critical information for ALL beekeepers and good background information for next quarter’s presentation on queen rearing.
TUESDAY
May 26, 2026
QUEEN REARING
Hempstead Hall UofA-Hope
Spring Hill Suite
Sign-in and Refreshments at 5:30 pm
Program at 6:00 pm
Want to replace lost or failing queens, make quick colony splits or raise gentler bees with better disease resistance? Kathy Johnson, of Saline County Beekeepers Association, will cover what you need to know to rear your own queens to improve the genetics of your bees, replace queens and make quicker splits. This will be an exciting presentation for all beekeepers, even those not sure they are ready to tackle raising your own queens just yet!
MONDAY
August 17, 2026
SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING PRACTICES
Hempstead Hall UofA-Hope
Spring Hill Suite
Sign-in and Refreshments at 5:30 pm
Program at 6:00 pm
Dr. Jon Zawislak, Assistant Professor of Apiculture and Urban Entomology for the UofA Division of Agriculture Research and Extension, will discuss sustainable beekeeping practices that promote long-term hive health, improved productivity and reduced dependence on chemical intervention. Dr. Zawishlak is a great speaker and this is important information for ALL beekeepers – Don’t miss this presentation!
MONDAY
November 16, 2026
TBA
Hempstead Hall UofA-Hope
Spring Hill Suite
Sign-in and Refreshments at 5:30 pm
Program at 6:00 pm