Mid-State Beekeepers Association

Category: Local clubs Also called: MSBA; SC Mid-State Beekeepers Association (West Columbia, South Carolina); scmidstatebeekeepers.org

What it is

The Mid-State Beekeepers Association (MSBA; also styled SC Mid-State Beekeepers Association on the site title) is a local beekeeping club for South Carolina’s Midlands, based in West Columbia. Its About page says the nonprofit’s purpose is to promote interest in honey bees and beekeeping, encourage healthy practices in South Carolina, promote bees for crop pollination, and share useful information. The home page adds education and support for backyard and business keepers, a chance for members to purchase honey bees and queens, and public outreach. Membership is posted at $20 per year. This listing is for the local club, not a single course and not a supply store.

Official URL

Official site: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/

About Us: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/about-us

Membership plans: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/pricing-plans/membership-plans

Events + Meetings: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/services-4

Monthly Meetings: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/monthly-meetings

2027 Beekeeping Class: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/copy-of-2025-beekeeping-class

2027 Bee Sale: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/about-3

Swarm Removal: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/swarm-removal

Fellowship: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/general-8

2027 Executive Board: https://www.scmidstatebeekeepers.org/about-1

Last checked

2026-11-10. All URLs above returned HTTP 200 with a desktop Chrome user agent on that date.

FAQ

Q: When and where does the club meet?
A: The home, About, and footer copy say meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month, typically 6:30–8:15 pm, at Platt Springs United Methodist Church, 3215 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia, SC, in “Bee Yard Casual.” There is no meeting in July, and December is a social rather than a regular meeting. The home page on the check date also said there is no November 3 meeting and to watch for a fall-festival announcement. The Events + Meetings page listed a November 14 Fall Festival (Saturday) at Bee Trail Farm (Danny Cannon’s house) and a December 1 Holiday Potluck (Tuesday) at Platt Springs UMC. Treat those November and December dates as 2026 relative to the check date; the events list also still shows earlier 2026 meetings, so confirm the live calendar before going.

Q: Can non-members attend?
A: The club invites people exploring beekeeping; a member testimonial on the home page describes joining to learn the craft. Event announcements and reminders are described as going to members by email. Formal membership ($20/year) is required for member benefits, the 2027 class registration path, and the members-only bee-sale link.

Q: How much is membership and how do I join?
A: The home page says membership is only $20/year. The Membership plans page lists a Club Membership at $20 every year, with auto-renewal on the purchase anniversary and a 14-day renewal notice; it also shows tabs for Individual, Club and Family membership, but only the $20 Club plan price was printed on the opened page. Join from that official plans page. No signup was submitted for this listing.

Q: Does the club help with swarms, sell bees, or teach a class?
A: Yes, as club services, not as this listing’s focus. The Swarm Removal page describes a volunteer Swarm Team for hanging swarms and asks people not to spray; it also says the club does not typically connect homeowners to structural cut-outs and recommends hiring experienced, licensed, insured help. The 2027 Bee Sale page says the club is only offering nucs in 2027, with an order deadline of February 28 (treat as February 28, 2027 relative to the 2027 sale), nucs created locally in Lexington, SC, and estimated pickup in early April; the order link is in the members-only area, and no public price was posted. The 2027 Beekeeping Class page says registration closes January 24, 2027, after joining, via a members-only link; no public tuition was posted.

Q: How do I contact the club?
A: The home page includes an on-page contact form. The 2027 Executive Board page names officers (including 2026 President Jackie Derrick, President Elect Chris Shealy, Secretary Megan Oxford and Treasurer Terrell Chastain) but does not print emails or a phone number on that page.

Q: Is this an official or affiliated listing?
A: Neither. Beekeeping Plaza is not affiliated with the Mid-State Beekeepers Association. No contact, form or membership signup was made. South Carolina already has a Blythewood Bee Company Equipment entry and a Low Country Beekeepers class Learning entry; this is a separate West Columbia / Midlands club. The site footer still showed a © 2025 mark on the check date; current 2026–2027 event and class copy was taken from the opened pages.