People come to beekeeping for a variety of reasons. Some are interested in the natural environment and the honeybees’ role in pollination. Some are fascinated by these small creatures and how they work together. Many just want to harvest the bees’ sweet honey. No matter why people are interested in beekeeping, they often seek knowledge through beekeeping clubs and associations.
The West Plains Beekeepers Association (WPBA) is one of three beekeeping clubs in the Spokane area. Formed in 2010, WPBA meets monthly to allow beekeepers to socialize, share their experiences, learn more about bees and other pollinators, and to conduct club business.
The West Plains Beekeepers hold Washington State Beekeepers Association approved Beginning and Apprentice beekeeping classes at their local apiary so that people can get hands on experience working with bees.
A year in the life of WPBA mimics the beekeeper’s year. Spring is a busy time as the club holds Washington State Beekeepers Association-approved Beginning and Apprentice beekeeping classes in anticipation of flowers blooming and nectar flowing. Then, in April, WPBA installs two packages of 10,000 bees each in two hives at its local apiary so beginning and experienced beekeepers can work with bees firsthand. Hands-on days in the WPBA apiary throughout spring and summer help people overcome their fears, question their assumptions, and receive mentorship from more experienced beekeepers. WPBA also provides a community service on its website by listing swarm catchers. The public can call a beekeeper and know that the bees have been rehomed to a new hive.
In summer, WPBA shares its knowledge with others through community events like Medical Lake’s Founders’ Day and the Poindexter Farm visit for Cheney first graders. In June 2025, WPBA held the first Pollinator Week event in Eastern Washington (the second will be June 13, 2026, at Mobius Discovery in Spokane). WPBA also mentored other groups interested in bees, beekeeping, and pollination. Last year, WPBA advised Eastern Washington University’s newly formed beekeeping club on keeping hives, which are on display in the PUB’s rooftop garden. WPBA also partnered with River City Youth, which wanted pollinators in its urban garden. A few members also guide Airway Heights Correctional Center inmates in beekeeping as part of a state-wide sustainability-in-prisons project.
Fall begins mid- to late-August when we harvest honey from the club apiary. WPBA assists its members by providing a honey extraction rental service. In addition, we hold a club-wide extraction day, where club members gather to extract their own honey as well as the club’s honey. Club honey is sold to support other club activities. In late September or early October, the club holds its final hands-on in the apiary to prepare hives for the winter months.
Winter is the slowest season for the beekeeper, but that does not mean that there is nothing to do. WPBA members often gather with other beekeepers from throughout Washington at the Washington State Beekeepers Association’s annual beekeeping conference where beekeepers network and receive updates in the latest research related to honeybees and beekeeping, often from WSU entomology researchers.
The West Plains Beekeepers Association meets monthly on the third Wednesday at 6pm at the Pizza Factory, 123 S. Broad, Medical Lake. For more information about the club or beekeeping classes, check out the club website at wpbeekeepers.org.
West Plains Beekeepers can also be found educating the public during community events such as Founders Day in Medical Lake, EWUs Pollinator week, and even the Airway Heights Correctional Center
