Central Ohio Beekeepers Association

SWARM? Bees in your House? Click on SERVICES PAGE.

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SWARM? Bees in your House? Click on SERVICES PAGE.

Central Ohio Beekeepers Association
  • Home
  • Membership
  • programs
  • SERVICES
  • Contact Us

So sorry our bee schools are sold out. But, you can become a member of COBA.

At Central Ohio Beekeepers Association, we are dedicated to helping bee enthusiasts of all levels learn more about these fascinating insects. Click on the Membership tab to become a COBA member and join us at one of our weekly or bi-weekly apiaries.  You will learn hands-on beekeeping techniques and tips. In addition, you will be connected to the beekeeping community in Central Ohio and beyond. 

1st Year Bee Yard

The  First Year Bee Yard is located at 2501 Carmack Road, 43210. (Waterman Farm Complex of The Ohio State University). Meetings are every Wednesday starting April  2025  through September. Members start arriving early at 530p to set up. Mentors and members Inspect each hive and report hive conditions.  Potluck at 6pm

!st Year Bee Yard Info Download

Download this pdf  file for more information about 1st year beeyard details.

COBA beeyard info (docx)Download
Scott's Lawn Apiary - Union County

COBA/ScottsMiracle-Gro Apiary

The Scotts Miracle-Gro/COBA Apiary meets every Thursday this season at 6pm at 14111 ScottsLawn Rd. Marysville, Ohio 43040.  Check calendar and for more information, click on email link below to receive email.

MailChimp  weekly mailing -https://mailchi.mp/1f124b4f2aad/add-me-to-the-mailing-list

Instagram  posting pictures

Advanced Beeyards

COBA maintains three apiaries for advanced learning;  Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus. Easton Town Center in Columbus, and Scotts-MiracleGro in Marysville.  Member email updates are sent monthly.

2025 Youth Beekeeper Scholarships NOW CLOSED

Youth Scholarship Applications are closed.  Awardees receive everything to become a beekeeper. Please read and understand the requirements of participation.  Contact Eileen Bolton at 614 736-5437  for more information. 

Youth Scholarship info and Application Downloads

COBA 2025 Youth Scholarship details and Youth Scholarship Application pdf files. You may browse there documents for consideration for 2026.

2025.YouthScholarship.Description.Guidelines.rev.Jan.3.deadline (pdf)Download
COBA.YouthScholarship.Application.2025 (pdf)Download

COBA Bee Schools for 2025 dates

COBA offers (4) 2-hour sessions  (6:30p-8:30p)  on Wednesdays Feb 19, Feb 26, Mar 5 and Mar 12.

Two full day (8a - 4:30p) Saturday classes  on Feb 22 and Mar 8.,  all at Wittmeyer Conference Center at the Ohio State  University Agricultural Fields. 

Scott's Lawn/Marysville will have bee school on Sat Feb 15, 8a to 430p

  

Registration includes

· 1 year membership in COBA

· Beginning beekeeping textbook - Backyard Beekeeping by Kim Flotum, 5th Edition

· Bee installation demonstration (weather permitting) 

· 6 Month April thru September at our FIRST YEAR BEE YARD at OSU

Wednesday nights

PDF file schedules for all Bee Schools are listed below for downloading. 


WEDBEE25 (pdf)Download
COBA 2025 Bee School SAT 2.22, 3.8 (pdf)Download
COBA Bee School SAT 2.15 (pdf)Download

2025 Carmen Conrad Honey Contest November 19, 2025

Rules and Entry Information

  

COBA members only. This is a fun contest for membership bragging rights. Entries accepted until Sunday, November 16, 2025.at 955 Murnan Road, Galloway, Ohio 43119. (Rod Pritchard 614-216-3386). 

Entrants must produce all entries from their own apiaries. No labels on entries. One entry per class, per household. All entrants must declare a class, water white, amber, etc. Entrants will not be judged on the declared class. The judge will make the final entry into a class. 


Liquid Honey – 2 one-pound (1lb) classic or Queenline glass jars.

Class 1: Water White – Extra White PF scale 0-17

Class 2: White – PF scale 18-34

Class 3: Extra Light Amber PF scale 35-85

Class 4: Amber – Dark Amber PF scale 86-115

Class 5: Cut Comb two (2) 4”x4” Hard Plastic Cut Comb Boxes

Class 6: Chunk Honey – two (2) one pound (1lb) glass straight-sided, wide mouth jars.

Class 7 Creamed Honey (plain or flavored) -two (2) one pound (1lb) or 12oz glass, straight sided, wide mouth honey jars.

Class 8: Bees Wax-Enter one (1) one (1) pound block

Class 9: Comb Honey (Frame)- Two deep or medium frames.


Classes 1-4 will be judged on appearance, fill of jars, color, clarity, cleanliness, moisture, flavor and aroma. 

Class 5 will be judged on cut sharpness, fill of box, capping’s, honey, and appearance.

Class 6 will be judged on cut sharpness, fill of box, capping’s, honey, and appearance.

Class 7 will be judged on set of granulation, smoothness, color, flavor and appearance.

Class 8 will be judged on weight, thickness, color, general appearance, purity, uniformity of wax, smooth surface top and bottom. Wrap in clingwrap.

Class 9 will be judged on suitability, uniformity and cleanliness of wood, cleanliness of capping’s, uniform and filled honey cells, quantity, quality and uniformity of honey. Freedom from leakage and general appearance.


Best of Show will be awarded to the entry with the highest total score. In the case of a tie, the winner will be determined by the judge. Reasonable bribes may be offered during the annual dinner.


Copyright © 2025 Central Ohio Beekeepers Association - All Rights Reserved.

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