Hello fellow beekeepers,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to our MSBA members, and tell everyone how excited I am for our future.
For those that don’t know me, my name is Fred Smith. I am a lifelong resident of Washington County and am blessed with a loving wife and son. I am a third-generation beekeeper, and very proud that my son is the fourth generation.
Together, we manage approximately 700 hives across multiple apiaries in Maryland and Delaware. Our primary focus for our colonies is with pollination. Our season starts with apples in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, moves to New Jersey for blueberries, and finishes along Maryland’s and Delaware’s beautiful shores for cucumbers, and watermelons. Chances are that if you’ve enjoyed a watermelon in the summer or an apple from one of Maryland’s many orchards, you’ve enjoyed the fruits of labor of one of our bees. I count everyday as a blessing that I am so fortunate to be able to work with and learn so much from my bees. I’m happy to share my passion with you all.
I’m also very honored and humbled to be the president of MSBA. As such, I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of all MSBA members to thank Kim and her fellow board members for navigating us through difficult COVID times. Their amazing devotion, countless hours, and heartfelt efforts to this organization will pay dividends for years to come. We owe you our gratitude: many thanks.
You may not realize how much work goes on behind the scenes to run this Association. As such, I’m excited for the future of MSBA and our many great local beekeeping associations.
I’m happy to hear all the great news about associations creatively offering short courses either in-person or with hybrid opportunities. While beekeeping can be large, with hundreds and thousands of colonies, for many it remains a passionate hobby fueled by a bond and love for an amazing insect.
I’m happy for the keepers of the bees to see this camaraderie opening back up, and I’m happy for the bees who benefit from it as well. I’m looking forward to the many great upcoming educational opportunities MSBA will have in 2022 as well as the connections and information sharing these events provide.
Please feel free to stop me at any of our gatherings. I’d love to share with you how my bees are doing, and I’d love to hear how your bees are too.
Wishing everyone and your bees a healthy, prosperous 2022.
Fred Smith