Update to Membership Year & Categories: In November of 2025, the CSBA membership approved new bylaws which included changes to the membership categories and membership year.

Starting in 2027, membership categories will be as follows:
Voting Members  –  Annual Dues: $300
Any individual engaged in the commercial beekeeping industry, is eligible for voting
membership in CSBA. For purposes of these bylaws, “individual” means a commercial beekeeper who derives income from a sole proprietorship, limited or general partnership, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or any other
business entity recognized by the state of California or another state engaged
in the commercial beekeeping industry.

Honorary memberships may be granted by the Awards Committee to individuals that are in the process of retiring or those that have reached their 65^th birthday. Honorary members shall be exempt from annual dues but shall retain
all rights and privileges of voting members.

All applications for voting membership must be approved by the Board. Voting members must execute any required membership application/agreement, and must pay such dues, fees, and assessments as shall be set by the Board. To vote at the annual meeting of members, dues must be paid in advance, at least 24 hours to the commencement of the annual meeting of the members for Voting Member renewals, and at least one week in advance for new Voting Members. Voting Members that do not renew for two years in a row will be considered new members upon renewal and are required to be approved by the Board and must pay dues a week in advance of the annual meeting of the members to vote.

Voting Members that paid their 2024 dues prior to November 21, 2024 will be grandfathered.

Non-Voting Members  –  Annual Dues $100
Non-voting members shall not have any of the voting rights or other rights afforded by voting members. Non-voting member categories are:

(a)         Associate Members. Any individual or business entity connected with the bee industry that does not qualify for voting membership or whom does not wish to be a voting member. Examples include but are not limited to hobby/backyard beekeepers, regional clubs, county and state employees that do not fall under research members, industry service providers.

(b)         Research Members. Research members are individuals from universities, state colleges, community colleges, or other public institutions within the state of California maintaining agricultural and horticultural research programs.

(c)          Student Members. Student members are individuals who are enrolled in an educational institution.

(d)         Affiliate Members. Individuals who have retired from the bee industry and want to remain affiliated with CSBA. An individual who qualifies for any other type of membership may not apply for affiliate membership.

(f)           Trade Associations. Any National or State trade association that is connected to the bee industry.

CSBA’s membership year will now run from January 1 to December 31. Membership dues are paid on an annual basis.

PLEASE NOTE: New member applications that are received after October 1st, 2026 will be applied to 2027 membership year. Renewals received through December 31, 2026 will be applied to the 2026 membership year.

2026 Membership Structure:

Voting Membership is for commercial beekeepers. Voting members have the ability to cast votes on important policies and activities of the organization at the CSBA Annual Meeting in November including, the annual budget and changes in by-laws or articles of incorporation. Additionally, they are entitled to elect the slate of officers and representation to the board, as well as review proposed research projects to be funded. Voting members must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Annual Dues: $300/year

Non-Voting Members can be any person interested in the welfare of the beekeeping industry including hobbyists, suppliers, associations, researchers and others. Non-voting members may attend CSBA meetings, but are not authorized to vote.

Annual Dues: $100/year.

Upgrading from Non-Voting to Voting Member can be done for Non-Voting members that have already paid dues for the membership year and would like to upgrade their membership to Voting. Upgraded membership payments will be applied to the current membership year at time of payment.

Upgrade Fee: $200

Membership Fees are due on an annual basis. CSBA’s membership year runs from November 1 to October 31.
Membership renewal invoices are mailed to members in August in order to give voting members plenty of time to renew before the Annual Business Meeting that takes place in November at Convention. Voting members must have paid dues 24 hours before the Annual Business Meeting in order to vote. New memberships that are purchased after August will be applied to the new membership year. 

On the next page, you will see a summary of your registration information and will be able to pay via credit card.