Texas Honey Bee Education Association

Our mission is to:
1) support honey bee research,
2) improve beekeeper education, and
3) advance public awareness of honey bees.

Our efforts are focused now on improving beekeeper education. We have the following programs in development or already underway:
1) Development and production of guide to assist new beekeepers in Texas implement good management practices for honeybees.
2) Grant support to fund the Texas Honey Queen program which seeks to educate the general public and beekeepers on the importance of honeybees.
3) Support to Texas beekeeping associations, with 1300 total beekeepers, to improve the quality and quantity of educational opportunities available to their members.
4) Support to Texas beekeeping associations to encourage and promote programs to involve more young (age 13-21) beginning beekeepers.

The organization started in 2016.

During 2017 we began fund raising and developed the organization's structure, policies, and procedures.

In 2018 we developed in-house capability to produce materials, and awarded two grants totalling approximately $17,000.

In 2019 we sought and received additional donations from the beekeeping community and from private grant-making organizations. We used this money to make make additional grants and fund projects to advance beekeeper education.

In 2020 we began to fund research ($1500), youth education ($13500), beekeeper education ($1000), public education ($3000) programs. We've also increased our funding flexibility by adding the ability to receive marketable securities. Lastly we're partnering with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to sponsor a honey bee-themed specialty license which we anticipate will significantly increase our donation funding and provide a sustainable future base.

November 2019 – THBEA awards a $12,000 grant to the Texas Beekeepers Association to partially fund the Texas Honey Queen Program from November 2019 to January 2021.

November 2019 - THBEA awards $1500 to three TBA-member beekeeping associations for the development and implementation of a youth beekeeping program within their association.

June 2020 - THBEA awards $1550 to five research and advocacy organizations to benefit honey bee and pollinator research.

November 2018 – THBEA awards $12,000 grant to the Texas Beekeepers Association to fund the Texas Honey Queen Program from November 2018 to January 2020.

February 2018 – THBEA grants awards to Texas beekeepers affected by the 2017 weather events

What's next -
We anticipate additional grants in 2020 to the Honey Queen Program and to Youth Education Programs.

We expect to publish our new information pamphlet,"You Can Help Texas Honey Bees!" and begin distribution of the 10,000 copies.

Lastly, we've just launched our TxDMV specialty plate - "Love Honey Bees" and expect this to generate significant income in 2021 for future research and education projects.