Criteria for Beekeeper of the Year Candidate:


1. Own and/or currently manage or maintain honeybee colonies.

2. Have an adequate working knowledge of honeybee diseases and their diagnoses and control.

3. Have an adequate working knowledge of honeybee management with respect to swarm control, honey production, division, queen rearing, etc.

4. Be a member and play an active role in State and local beekeeping association functions.

  1. Be active in local beekeeping education and honey promotion.

  2. The nominee’s spouse is encouraged to be included.

*Information about the dates of first beekeeper obtained from

Aretha Kees- 11-04-06 WVBA meeting

1989 - Herbert and Vertrude Shafer - First WV Beekeeper of the Year

1990 – Jesse Monroe

  1. Joe Sendecky

  2. Debbie and James Copenhaver

  3. Earl Cochran

  4. Mark Bell

  5. Art Joy

  6. Doyle Kisner

  7. Tim Tennant

  8. Stan Jordan

  9. Jim Amrine

  10. Leonard Conrad

  11. John & Dorothy Campbell

  12. Tom & Aretha Kees

  13. Milford & Rosemary Bragg

  14. Chuck Cienawski

  15. Gordon & Jean Mead

  16. Dave & Helen Freese

  17. Janet Clayton

  18. David & Jean Rectenwald

2009 Beekeepers of the Year
2010 Beekeeper of the Year

2011 Beekeeper of the Year

2012 Beekeepers of the Year