Why Join or Renew?

Whether you keep bees for commercial purposes, on a small scale or for pure enjoyment, the OBA works for you.

Now, more than ever, successful beekeeping requires effort on many fronts:

  • research that finds practical solutions to long-time and emerging challenges related to pests, diseases, bee breeding and general hive and apiary management
  • knowledge transfer (education and training) of current best practices and applied research that ensures healthy and sustainable beekeeping practices, and
  • dedicated government and stakeholder advocacy and media relations that champion  this industry, honey bees and wild pollinators, locally, provincially and nationally.

Membership saves you money on workshops, meetings and conferences and subscriptions, and protects you and your assets by offering you affordable bee and honey related group liability insurance.

And just as important, OBA membership connects you with other beekeepers and supports a common approach to promoting and protecting honey bees, wild pollinators and Ontario’s beekeeping industry.

Join the OBA hive. It’s worth it!

Becoming a Member

Find a Membership Category that fits you

New Members: Sign-Up Online - online application and payment processing 

Already a member and need to renew? Contact us.

What Your Membership Gives You

Learn

Protect

  • Advocacy on issues that matter to beekeepers at all levels of government, strong relationships with provincial and national sister organizations and stakeholder groups, and access to an effective media network.
  • Reasonably priced bee- and honey-related group  liability insurance offered through The Co-operators,  that protects you and your assets for claims up to $5 million.

Connect

  • E-newsletter alerts and updates on time-sensitive and emerging issues facing Ontario beekeepers.
  • Opportunities to present resolutions at the Annual General Meeting of Members  issues of importance to you, and to vote on this or any issue.
  • Current industry information and market intelligence to grow your business.
  • Information on government funding programs such as Advance Payments Program and the Wildlife Crop Damage Fund.
  • Effective media relations to build public awareness and support the industry.
  • Access to OBA’s sub-associations, the Ontario Bee Breeders Association (OBBA) – and through it, participation in the Ontario Resistant Honey Bee Selection Program – Ontario Honey Bee Pollination Association (OHBPA), and the Amateur Mead Makers Association of Ontario (AMMAO).
  • Network and exchange ideas and experiences at conferences, seminars and workshops at a reduced rate.
  • Get involved in active leadership and volunteer roles in the OBA and its partner initiatives.
  • Access to Hivelights, the quarterly publication of the  Canadian Honey Council.
  • Discounted rates for purchasing advertising in the Ontario Bee Journal or posting an online Classified Ad.
  • Build your online profile and sales of honey, bees or supplies using OBA’s web-based Directories, available for a small additional price for members only.

PLEASE NOTE: Membership runs for a calendar year, January to December, and is not pro-rated. New memberships purchased in November and December will begin in the following January. Membership limited to residents of Ontario.