Central Ohio Beekeepers Association

Youth Scholars Applicaton is OPEN on Programs

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Youth Scholars Applicaton is OPEN on Programs

Central Ohio Beekeepers Association
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COBA Bee Schools for 2026 dates

OPTION 1 -  Scott's Lawn/Marysville bee school on Sat Feb 28, 8a to 430p. 


OPTION 2 - four 2-hour sessions  (6:30p-8:30p)  on Wednesday Evenings -  Feb 25,  March 4,  March 11, and March 18 at Waterman Farm HQ at OSU. 


OPTION 3 -Liberty Mutual Insurance Sat. March 14, 2026, 8a - 430p.  518 E. Broad  St. Columbus OH


COBA 2026 Bee Schools - Sign up below

Saturday Feb 28, 2026. 8a-430p. Scotts Lawn HQ. Marysville, OH

Four 2 - hour classes. Wed Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, and 18. 630p-830p. OSU Waterman Farm

Four 2 - hour classes. Wed Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, and 18. 630p-830p. OSU Waterman Farm

The 2026 COBA Bee School kicks off in Maryville at Scotts/Miracle Gro HQ in Maryville Ohio. This all-day class covers everything the first year beekeeper will need to know to get started and maintain a successful apiary.  Class includes:

 1 year membership in COBA

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

· Bee installation demonstration (weather permitting) 

· Mentoring (April thru September at our FIRST YEAR BEE YARD at OSU) 

LUNCH is included.  

CLick Here to Pay

Four 2 - hour classes. Wed Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, and 18. 630p-830p. OSU Waterman Farm

Four 2 - hour classes. Wed Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, and 18. 630p-830p. OSU Waterman Farm

Four 2 - hour classes. Wed Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, and 18. 630p-830p. OSU Waterman Farm

Our traditional 2026 Bee School at The Ohio State University in Columbus.  Four 2-hour sessions on Wednesday evenings. Class size is limited to 40 students. These classes cover everything the first year beekeeper will need to know to get started and maintain a successful apiary.  Class includes:

 1 year membership in COBA

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

· Bee installation demonstration (weather permitting) 

· Mentoring (April thru September at our FIRST YEAR BEE YARD at OSU)  

Click here to pay

Saturday Mar 14, 2026 8a-430p. Liberty Mutual Insurance HQ, Columbus, OH

Four 2 - hour classes. Wed Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, and 18. 630p-830p. OSU Waterman Farm

Saturday Mar 14, 2026 8a-430p. Liberty Mutual Insurance HQ, Columbus, OH

Our newest Bee School location for 2026. Downtown Columbus next to the Columbus Museum of Art. Plenty of parking behind the LiMu HQ.  This all-day class covers everything the first year beekeeper will need to know to get started and maintain a successful apiary.  Class includes:

 1 year membership in COBA

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

· Bee installation demonstration (weather permitting) 

· Mentoring (April thru September at our FIRST YEAR BEE YARD at OSU) 

LUNCH is included.  

Click here to pay

2026 Youth Beekeeper Scholarships NOW OPEN

Youth Scholarship Applications are open.   The new 2026 iapplication is available here:  

https://forms.gle/CgXugWWswPD258ZJ6  

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 2026 Youth Scholarship application is available here: 

https://forms.gle/CgXugWWswPD258ZJ6

2026.YouthScholarship.flyer (1) (docx)Download

  

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. 


Files coming soon.

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.

2026 Carmen Conrad Honey Contest November 2025

Rules and Entry Information

  

COBA members only. This is a fun contest for membership bragging rights. Entries accepted until Sunday, November , 2026.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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