We're a community of local beekeepers who believe that keeping bees — and keeping them well — is something best done together.
The Madera Beekeepers Association came together in 2022 around a simple idea: beekeeping is more rewarding, and a good deal easier, when you're surrounded by people who share the fascination. We're hobbyists with a single backyard hive, weekend keepers with a few colonies, and old hands who've been at it for decades — all in and around Madera, California.
Our corner of the Central Valley is one of the most important places in the country for bees. The almond orchards, row crops, and backyard gardens that shape our landscape all lean on pollinators, and the people who keep bees here are quietly part of something that reaches far beyond their own back fence.
That's the spirit of this association: neighbors helping neighbors keep healthy bees, and looking out for the pollinators our whole valley depends on.
A few simple things guide how we come together and what we hope to be for our members and our community.
Beekeeping can be a solitary pursuit. We want it to feel like a community — a place where a first-year keeper and a thirty-year veteran can trade notes as equals, and where questions are always welcome.
The best beekeeping knowledge is local and hard-won. We believe in passing it along freely — the timing, the techniques, and the small lessons that only come from keeping bees right here in our climate.
Healthy, well-kept bees are good for everyone — the keeper, the neighborhood, and the wider web of pollinators. Responsible, thoughtful beekeeping is at the heart of what we do.
You don't need land, a hive, or a shred of experience to belong. Some of our members are simply curious and haven't started yet; others have bees in the backyard for the first time and want a little guidance; plenty are seasoned keepers who enjoy giving back.
If you're drawn to bees for the honey, the pollination, the science, or just the quiet wonder of it — there's a place for you.
Whatever brought you to bees, you'll find good company here. Becoming a member takes just a couple of minutes.
Become a Member