My father had honey bees when I was growing up. In the late 80's our bees died, (most likely from varroa mites) and about the same time we moved from the country to a more urban area. Dad had more things on his mind and we never re-started the colonies. This was my teenage years, and I'd have to say that I had little interest in bees at the time as well. It wasn't unit 1999 that I was "bitten by the bee". It started when a builder was having the lot next door to my house cleared. They had cut down a bee tree, (a tree with a bee hive in it) and for some odd reason I decided to try and remove the bees from the trunk. Although my efforts failed, from that point I had to have my own bees. In 2000 two things happened that changed my life forever. One I became a full time fire fighter at the City of Monroe Fire Department, second I purchased my first package of bees from Rossman Apiaries. We've been in the bee business (and fire service) every since. In 2001 I did my first bee removal and now it is the main source of our business.
I go to schools and visit groups to educate the public about honey bees. Myself along with Cindy Bee have put together the Ga. Jr. Beekeepers, a class designed for kids to learn about honey bees and beekeeping. I'm also member of the Georgia Africanized Honey Bee Committee and an active member of the Georgia Beekeepers Association and the Eastern Apiculture Society. Owens Apiaries does bee removals throughout Georgia. If you have any questions please feel free to call or email me!
Bill Owens
404-516-1807
Certificates
2006.................Certified Master Craftsman Beekeeper
2004.................Certified Master Beekeeper
2003.................Certified Journeyman Beekeeper
2002.................Certified Beekeeper
Positions
2006.................Appointed Vice President of the Eastern Apiculture Society
2005.................Elected President of the Georgia Beekeepers Association
2005.................Elected Treasure of the Eastern Piedmont Beekeepers Association
2004.................Elected Chairman of the Eastern Piedmont Beekeepers Association
2004.................Appointed Newsletter Editor, Eastern Piedmont Beekeepers Association.
Awards
2006.................2nd Place Photo, Eastern Apiculture Society Honey Show
2005.................1st Place Mead, Eastern Apiculture Society Honey Show
2004.................1st Place Mead, Georgia Honey Show
2004.................3rd Place Black Jar, Georgia Honey Show
2003.................2nd Place Mead, Georgia Honey Show