Swarm of Honey Bees
Honey with Wooden Dipper

About Us

Our meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month with a work day in the bee ​yard the following Saturday. For location and directions, check back monthly, the locations ​can change.


The Tampa Bay Beekeepers Association (TBBA) exists to promote responsible beekeeping. ​One of our aims is to encourage new people into this fascinating craft and to assist you by:

  • Providing contact with experienced beekeepers who can help you start
  • Running introductory courses
  • Supporting and mentoring to help you through your first year
  • Advising on the purchase of equipment
  • Providing a local association as a focal point for members


The Board of Directors meets quarterly. For dates, please contact an officer.

Macro Photography of a Bee

Club Member ​Spotlight


(Coming Soon)

Bee Farmer Cleaning Honeycomb

Bee Removal

Contact the club member at a location nearest to you.

Some fees may apply.

Brandon, Plant City, & Riverview

Robert Jones - (813)-424-9252


Lutz, Wesley Chapel, & Land O’ Lakes

Bert Blackburn - (813)-758-7822


South Tampa & McDill AFB

Kyle Foster - (813)-503-9654


Bee Farmer Cleaning Honeycomb

Seminole Heights

Angela Rodriguez Diaz - (787)-717-7689


Polk County

Steve Bouchard (Steve’s Bees) - Specializing in high swarms - (863)-602-0646

Jonathan Beale (Miss Beehavin’ Bee Company) - (863)-336-1127

Carlin Doyen - (863)-289-3985


TBBA is a referral program for our club members. We do not quote prices. Please contact a member above ​for price quotes and availability.

Bee Yard Information

On Saturday, immediately following our meeting, we meet in our bee yard in Bartow at 4305 ​US Highway 17, Bartow, FL. We meet at 9:30 a.m. at the gate and go back together at 10 a.m. ​Please call David Smith (813) 967-7405 by Friday to let him know you are coming. Follow us in ​the bee yard then join us for lunch paid by the association. You will learn how to enter the ​hives, what is happening in the colonies, and depending on the season different maintenance ​and procedures we do to keep the colonies healthy.

YOU MUST wear long pants, long sleeves and closed toe shoes.

This is a family-friendly event and kids (6 and older) are welcome. All children must be ​accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Here on a typical day at the bee yard, members work with President David Smith to ​inspect hives at the club apiary. During a routine inspection members worked ​together to identify queens, larva, and eggs within the brood box.

Yellow and Black Bee on Yellow Flower

Contact Us


Organic Handdrawn Thin Line

President: David Smith

smithhoney2@aol.com

813-967-7405

Organic Handdrawn Thin Line

Vice President: Bert Blackburn

bertbiv@aol.com

Organic Handdrawn Thin Line

Secretary: Karen Driggers

KarenDriggers28@yahoo.com

Organic Handdrawn Thin Line

Treasurer: Rein Verbeek

PRNL2000@aol.com

Bees in the Beehive

Meeting Information


Our regular bee meetings will be on the Second Thursday ​of every month @ 5339 County Rd 579, Seffner, FL, 33584The meeting starts at 7 PM followed by a potluck dinner ​and special speakers at 7:30 PM.


Work/Field Day:

Our work/field days are on the Saturday following our ​meeting, in Bartow @ 4305 US Highway 17, Bartow, FL ​Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the gate, go back together at 10 a.m. ​Please call David Smith (813) 967-7405 by Friday to let ​him know you are coming.



Events

2024 Tampa Bay Beekeeper’s ​Association Honey Bee Seminar

June 22, 2024 from 8 AM - 3 PM

Learn from local Beekeepers and ​Industry Professionals as you rotate ​through 9 learning stations. You will ​enjoy presentations that provide ​information and practical know how ​from beginners to the highly ​experienced. Click here to purchase ​discounted tickets!