BETTER BEES
Queen Rearing Project
Our Mission
Queen Rearing Program, good for everyone
WHO: The Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association (MCBA) and local beekeepers are leading the initiative to strengthen bee populations through community-driven queen rearing
WHAT: The initiative produces locally mated queen bees to enhance colony resilience, promote sustainable beekeeping, and support healthy pollinators for local ecosystems.
WHERE: Based in Charlotte, NC, the program operates through MCBA’s network of apiaries and beekeepers dedicated to regional bee conservation.
WHEN: Queen rearing activities run from April to July 2026, aligning with optimal breeding conditions in the Carolinas Piedmont region.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Join MCBA, volunteer at apiaries, donate to support queen rearing efforts, or attend workshops to learn and promote sustainable beekeeping practices.
Introducing
Beginner Bee School
Sammy's Corner
Congratulations Tiffany Gaither, MCBA Microbreeding person of month! READ MORE
2026 was a successful year for MCBA microbreeding team!
MCBA microbreeding Man Of The Week: Desmond Davis!!
The Davis’s not only host our program but Desmond stepped up this week and cleaned 40 deep frames that had terrible wax month damage. They are now reusable! Thanks Desmond!...PHOTO
As the MCBA microbreeding season winds down. We’d like to try one more grafting session in the next week (time to be announced) ....READ MORE
Check out these nice grafts!...READ MORE
Tommy Helms made us something cool....READ MORE
We PASSED INSPECTION!! ....READ MORE
Wayne Hansen led the May 23rd session - we learned a lot!...
Libby Mack lead the May 9th session and did a great job...
Another group of newly mated queens off to their new homes !...PHOTOS
Need a Queen? Be sure to attend the April Meetinng....READ MORE
Big Announcement!! Queens, Queens, and more Queens!
MCBA microbreeding Round-1...READ MORE
MCBA microbreeding Round-2...READ MORE
Thu, Aug 20Providence Baptist ChurchOur speaker will be Master Beekeeper Madison Bridges Topic: Mead! Prefect time to learn Mead Making before the holidays
Thu, Aug 27Petty Thieves Brewing CoHi bee friends!! Next Bees n Brews will be held at Petty Thieves Brewing Co. Everyone Welcomed! Buzz in for a pint and talk bees with us.
Sat, Aug 15Circle G Restaurant, or East 74 RestaurantJoin 'Bees for Breakfast' at whichever location is most convienient for a morning of delicious eats and bee talks! Connect with fellow bee enthusiasts over breakfast and share your passion for beekeeping. All are welcome! Circle G Restaurant , or East 74 Restaurant
Sat, Jul 11Winston-Salem, NCThe NCSBA 2026 Summer Meeting will take place in Winston-Salem at the Benton Convention Center 301 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 • July 9-11 Make plans now to be there with 500+ beekeepers for three days of all about beekeeping and the honey bee.- Sat, Jul 11Circle G Restaurant, or East 74 RestaurantJoin 'Bees for Breakfast' at whichever location is most convienient for a morning of delicious eats and bee talks! Connect with fellow bee enthusiasts over breakfast and share your passion for beekeeping. All are welcome! Circle G Restaurant , or East 74 Restaurant
- Fri, Jul 10Winston-Salem, NCThe NCSBA 2026 Summer Meeting will take place in Winston-Salem at the Benton Convention Center 301 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 • July 9-11 Make plans now to be there with 500+ beekeepers for three days of all about beekeeping and the honey bee.
- Thu, Jul 09Winston-Salem, NCThe NCSBA 2026 Summer Meeting will take place in Winston-Salem at the Benton Convention Center 301 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 • July 9-11 Make plans now to be there with 500+ beekeepers for three days of all about beekeeping and the honey bee.
Thu, Jun 25Providence Baptist ChurchQueen Rearing The MCBA microbreeding program will be holding the first of a two-part teaching session at this meeting. The first session will be the classroom portion led by Libby Mack. The second session, the hands-on portion will take place Sunday afternoon, June 28th.
Sat, Jun 13Circle G Restaurant, or East 74 RestaurantJoin 'Bees for Breakfast' at whichever location is most convienient for a morning of delicious eats and bee talks! Connect with fellow bee enthusiasts over breakfast and share your passion for beekeeping. All are welcome! Circle G Restaurant , or East 74 Restaurant
Thu, May 28Common Market OakwoldHi bee friends!! Next Bees n Brews will be held at Common Market - Oakwold Location. New Bee School Attendees Welcomed! Buzz in for a pint and talk bees with us.
Thu, May 21Providence Baptist ChurchBrad Cavin, South Carolina Apiary Inspector and a member of the Yellow Legged Hornet Response team, will talk to the club about his experiences with the YLH since it was discovered in South Carolina in late 2024. He will also update us on the latest YLH situation in York County.
Sat, May 16Circle G Restaurant, or East 74 RestaurantJoin 'Bees for Breakfast' at whichever location is most convienient for a morning of delicious eats and bee talks! Connect with fellow bee enthusiasts over breakfast and share your passion for beekeeping. All are welcome! Circle G Restaurant , or East 74 Restaurant
Thu, Apr 16Providence Baptist ChurchJoin us on at the MCBA April meeting to hear George McAlister share on his experience of Boosting Hives for Honey Productions followed by an Open Round Table.
Sat, Apr 11Circle G Restaurant, or East 74 RestaurantJoin 'Bees for Breakfast' at whichever location is most convienient for a morning of delicious eats and bee talks! Connect with fellow bee enthusiasts over breakfast and share your passion for beekeeping. All are welcome! Circle G Restaurant , or East 74 Restaurant
Sun, Mar 291100 Metropolitan Ave #165Hi bee friends!! Next Bees n Brews will be held at Lost Worlds Brewing. New Bee School Attendees Welcomed! Buzz in for a pint and talk bees with us.
Thu, Mar 19Providence Baptist ChurchJoin us at the MCBA March meeting to hear Gerry Mack provide insight and advice about catching bee swarms.
Sat, Mar 14Circle G Restaurant, or East 74 RestaurantJoin 'Bees for Breakfast' at whichever location is most convienient for a morning of delicious eats and bee talks! Connect with fellow bee enthusiasts over breakfast and share your passion for beekeeping. All are welcome! Circle G Restaurant , or East 74 Restaurant
Don't Miss This Featured Event!
This program is open to all MCBA members. Beekeepers of every skill level are encouraged to participate. Whether you are new to beekeeping or have years of experience, there is a place for you in this effort.
Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Awarded Queen Rearing Grant
Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Awarded Queen Rearing Grant
This program is open to all MCBA members. Beekeepers of every skill level are encouraged to participate. Whether you are new to beekeeping or have years of experience, there is a place for you in this effort...READ MORE
ATTENTION BEEKEEPERS!
Our Queens ranked well! Lab tested 5 queens tested
@ NC State University 7/16/26 .
I am so proud to have been a part in our program - Sammy
Come out Next Year and support the project.