We wish to congratulate Gary Keuffer our Director of Education in being designated the 2021 OSBA Beekeeper of the year!
Beekeeping since 1985 after visiting with Jim Higgins (aka Dr. Sting) of Highland County Beekeepers. Gary is the Brown County Beekeepers Association’s Director of Education and is very involved with the local 4H and FFA organizations. In the Education Director capacity he has spoken to numerous groups including Masons, Scouts, Clermont and Brown County Library Programs, Farm Science, Senior Living Facilities and Elementary schools. He has been a presenter at various clubs in Ohio and Kentucky, the Oasis School in Loveland as well as the NKY Bee school in Maysville, KY. There is an Adult Education Summer course on Beekeeping at Chatfield College he has spearheaded for the last 3 years as well. His Honey extraction video was featured in the OSBA New Beekeeper Internship program and he is helping to build a library of videos demonstrating colony cut out removal techniques. Gary became a Master Gardener in 2015 and is an advocate for planting for pollinators. He has been performing free bee removals of cut outs and swarms since 2014, focusing on senior and impoverished individuals.
Gary’s efforts have resulted in hives being installed at Sem Haven rest home in Milford, OH. His informative programs have resulted in the BCBA growing from approximately 40 individuals to almost 100 since 2017. His interaction with young people’s groups has generated interest in our Youth Hive Scholarship program which is now in it’s third year. He has mentored dozens of beekeepers over the years and submits monthly to the local newspaper to promote community awareness surrounding bees. More and more fairs and local businesses are reaching out to BCBA for participation in their open houses and events. As a Veteran himself, Gary is also beginning a relationship with Hives to Heros and we have our first member with PTSD who brings his therapy dog to the meetings.
When a removal request comes in even if it is Yellow Jackets, Gary takes the time to educate on the difference between bees and wasps and advocate for pollinators. Gary is respectful and considerate of all the individuals with whom he interacts. He is courteous and pleasant even during 98 degree cut outs, explaining the process and teaching the people involved, prompting one youngster to comment that observing a removal is “better than the zoo”. His enthusiasm is infectious and he approaches any task with humor and anecdotal stories that leave a positive lasting impression. He is a staunch advocate of best practices in beekeeping and maintaining hive health.
Please Join him for our special session for Beginning Beekeepers in January at the Western Brown HS in Mt Orab.
