Welcome to MSBA

MSBA is a non-profit membership organization of beekeepers in Maine, dedicated to education, using best practices and honey bee health. Affiliated with local chapters throughout the state, MSBA also works with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to promote the honey bee, products of the hive and initiatives to support beekeepers. 

2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

Andrew Dewey of Sullivan was presented with the MSBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He founded Washington County Beekeepers Association and served as its first president, and also taught beginner and intermediate beekeeping classes through UMaine Cooperative Ext.

Photo of Andrew Dewey with 2025 MSBA Lifetime Achievement Award
Andrew Dewey

2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

Andrew Dewey of Sullivan was presented with the MSBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He founded Washington County Beekeepers Association and served as its first president, and also taught beginner and intermediate beekeeping classes through UMaine Cooperative Ext.

He’s a certified Master Beekeeper through both the Eastern Apicultural Society and the University of Montana, and served for several years as MSBA’s treasurer. Andrew helped launch the Northeast Beekeeping Facebook group which currently has almost 10,000 members and creates the “Daily Question,” a member favorite. In early 2019, he established Maine Bee Wellness, a private nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting honey bee health across Maine. Congratulations Andrew!

Photo of Joe Barberi receiving MSBA Beekeeper of the Year 2025
Joe Barberi

2025 Beekeeper of the Year

MSBA’s Beekeeper of the Year Joe Barberi has served as vice president and president of York County Beekeepers, and continues being actively involved in club events, mentoring, and outreach.
He has lead a “Hands-On Beekeeping” class at his apiary for several years. In addition Joe has taught beekeeping classes through adult education programs. He plays a key role in the YCBA teaching apiary at Finson Farm, and participates in YCBA’s booth at the annual Acton Fair. A Cornell master beekeeper, he presented at BeeFest 2025 and supports veterans through the Hives for Heroes program.
Photo of Kelly McLaughlin, 2nd year winning Honey Tasting Contest 2025
Kelly McCloughan Dohner

2025 Honey Tasting Winner

Kelly McCloughan Dohner won the honey tasting contest at the MSBA Annual Meeting. She and her husband have been keeping bees since 2018. Their 28 acre farm offers a wide variety of wild flowers, as well a lilac bushes, apple trees and plenty of goldenrod. There are also large beds of mountain mint, bee balm, lavender, mint, coneflower and many other flowering plants. The Dohners continue to increase forage opportunities for their honey bees by adding a few different perennials every year.

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