About SOBA

Southern Oregon Beekeepers examining a hiveThe Southern Oregon Beekeepers Association (SOBA) is a member based organization of backyard, sideliner, and commercial beekeepers and other individuals interested in the promotion and preservation of honey bees and beekeeping in southern Oregon. Our mission is to provide our membership with a forum for sharing knowledge and mutual interest in beekeeping, and to educate and promote the benefits of beekeeping to our community.

SOBA is a regional branch of the Oregon State Beekeepers Association supporting beekeepers in southern Oregon, including Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, Central Point, Jacksonville, and the Applegate valley. We work closely with the OSU Honey Bee Lab, and the Oregon Master Beekeepers Program.

SOBA meets at 6:30 PM on the first Monday of each month at

Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center
569 Hanley Rd.
Central Point. OR 97502 (map)

In October, SOBA meets at 6:30 PM at the Bear Hotel 2101 NE Spaulding Ave, Grants Pass, OR 97526 (map).

Meetings are open to the public. Depending on the weather, there will be a hive inspection demonstration at the beginning of the meeting March – October..

Officers:

  • President: Risa Halpin
  • Vice President: Noah Clipp
  • Secretary: Travis Owen
  • Treasurer: Cheryl Housden

Volunteer Positions:

  • OSBA Regional Representative: Eric McEwan
  • OSU Liason: Rick Hilton

If you are in Douglas County, contact  Douglas Country Bees. They meet the first Wednesday of each month at 7PM at the Douglas County Courthouse, 3rd floor.

Douglas Country Bees
PO Box 393
Roseburg, OR 97470
Phone; 541-375-0393