In order to meet a growing demand for apiary education in western Kentucky, Nikki Rhein, ANR Agent at the Marshall County Extension Office and Ricky Boatright, an experienced local beekeeper, collaborated to start the Clark's River Beekeeper's Association (CRBA) in April of 2021. The CRBA members have met every month since.

The association consists of both novice and experienced beekeepers. Most meetings consist of an educational speaker or video, followed by an open session where members can ask questions. On meeting nights you will find novice beekeepers utilizing this opportunity to bounce ideas off of the more experienced beekeepers. Members have voiced how intimidating and difficult starting a beekeeping operation is and how much they appreciate the opportunity to learn in a non-intimidating informal setting where they are encouraged to ask questions. 

Recently, Dean McCoy, who started as a novice in the CRBA, was even featured in KY Living Magazine where he shared why he values the club. Here is an except from the article:

["McCoy tells me one of the best things he ever did was join a local beekeeping group—in his case, the Clarks River Beekeepers Association in Benton. He says associations can help newbies learn a lot in a short amount of time."

“Beekeeping is such a complex hobby that the learning curve is huge,” he says. “With a beekeeping group you can receive mentorship from other beekeepers and learn about the intricacies of local bees.”]

The full article written by Ken McBroom, can be viewed here: https://www.kentuckyliving.com/explore/bringing-home-the-bees?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR07loBJPZ6kuJSdr2njQshE0K4PiZHWmhLRncdIYhdDtPGPhVdeVzeg3sw

The Marshall County Extension Office plans to continue to support the association with the goal of helping more prospective beekeepers become successful apiarist!