News and Events


2024 Summer Bee School

  Date:  Saturday, August 24, 2024   Time 9:00am-3:00pm      Cost: $40 Location: Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point   (map).  Educational Topics and Objectives Murl Ming- Feeding Options for Fall/Winter – learn a variety of ways to feed to help bees overwinter Noah Clipp -Tips […]


SOBA Honey Extractors

Current SOBA members may check out the club honey extractors. We currently have three extractors: a motorized Dadant Ranger Electric Power Extractor that holds 6 mediums  and empties both sides of the frame at a time. Dadant Ranger Manual a hand crank Dadant Radial that holds 6 mediums or 3 deeps and empties both sides […]


Local Honey for Sale

If you are a current member of SOBA and would like to advertise honey, beeswax, or other hive products here, please contact us with your information. Honey Noah’s Bees We are located in Grants Pass, OR. We have Blackberry, Wildflower and Clover honey. You can order ONLINE or shop locally […]


Beekeeping is allowed in the city of Medford!

On April 16, the Medford City Council voted to approve the amendments to the Land Development Code that would provide for beekeeping within the city limits, although the 4 to 3 vote in favor necessitated a second reading of the amendments before approval. There were several SOBA members in attendance at the City […]


Saving America’s Pollinators Act Reintroduced

Contributed by Dewey Caron Representative Earl Blumenauer, OR 3rd district (Portland east through Cascade foothills) and MI Representative John Conyers have reintroducted Saving America’s Pollinators Act. The legislation requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take swift action to prevent mass bee die-offs and protect the health […]


Shastina Millwork’s Revolution Hive Box

We are fortunate to have a national premier hive component manufacturer, Shastina Millwork in the Rogue Valley. Shastina specializes in custom hobbyist and commercial woodenware including boxes, frames, tops, bottoms, essentials, and clothing (basically, everything except bees), Shastina introduced the Revolution Box a few years ago – an improved hive […]


March 26 – Medford Beekeeping Ordinance

Mark Your Calendars! Medford Beekeeping Amendment Hearing Scheduled! Medford is considering an amendment to the Medford Land Development Code to provide provisions for beekeeping in the city limits.  A copy of the proposed changes to the ordinance can be found here. The sections pertaining to beekeeping are highlighted in blue. The Medford Planning […]


Bee City USA

Ashland, OR is the newest Bee City USA

We reported earlier this year that Talent was designated a Bee City USA. In December, Ashland’s City Council voted unanimously to become the next Bee City USA. It is expected that the application process will be completed in January Kristina Lefever of the Pollinator Project of Rogue Valley explains the Bee City USA focus in […]


December Speaker: Five Mistakes Beekepers Make

  UPDATE December 2014:You can read about Karessa’s presentation in December here. The December 8th SOBA meeting will feature a presentation by Karessa Torgerson on Five Mistakes Beekeepers Make. Karessa Torgerson is an EAS Master Beekeeper, owner of Apicurious, co-founder of Nectar Bee Supply, and board member of Tree Hive Bees. She […]


Traditional Bark Hive in Malawi

February Speaker: Beekeeping in Africa

The February SOBA meeting will feature a presentation by Dan Carr on Beekeeping in Africa. Dan Carr will talk about his experiences working with the wonderful beekeepers and farmers of Malawi and Uganda.  He was a Peace Corps volunteer in a rural village called Mwazisi in northern Malawi from 2007-2010.  […]