Membership Benefits

Being a member of the Cook – DuPage Beekeepers Association provides many benefits to a beekeeper:

2009 State fair booth

CDBA entries at the Illinois State Fair

  • Networking – With more than 175 members in the association, owners of ”NewBee’s” to decades of beekeeping experience, and single hive hobbyists to owners of commercial operations, you have the ability to interact with folks who “have been there and done that” and are willing to share their experiences with you.
  • Meetings -  Seven monthly meetings take place each year that include presentations on various topics.  Some previous presentations included Swarm Management, Observation Hives, Queen Rearing, Pest Treatment, Insurance, and how to set up for a successful Farmer’s Market program.
  • Monthly “Meet Up” – Interact with other beekeepers in a smaller group to discuss any topic from hive management to the best type of honey bee.
  • Discounts on Classes & Seminars - Cook DuPage Beekeepers offer discounts to CDBA sponsored classes and workshops on bees and beekeeping that are held during the year.  Additionally, membership provides a discounted price to the Annual CDBA banquet featuring well known and respected individuals in the National beekeeping community.
  • Video Library -  The organization maintains a video library of tapes and discs regarding beekeeping.  Members may check out the videos monthly for a nominal fee.
  • Book Store - During the monthly meeting you can browse available books on bee related topics and purchase them to further your education.
  • Magazine Discounts - Your membership in the Cook – DuPage Beekeeping Association provides you with a 25% discount to the American Bee Journal, Bee Culture and The Speedy Bee.
  • Newsletter - “The Buzz”, which is free to members, will keep you current on all the happenings in the association.
  • CDBA Web Site – The web site provides information beekeeping that is specific to our area, and updates on association events and topics of interest for our local area.
  • Local Honey Provider – Members can be listed on the CDBA web site’s local honey provider page at no charge.  This page provides local area residents with a listing of individuals who sell locally  produced honey.
  • Swarm Capture Volunteer - Members can be listed on the CDBA web site for zip code specific areas to capture honey bee swarms.  The listing provides the general public and local government with a source of individuals who are capable of removing a honey bee swarm.
  • County Fair Participation- The association sponsors a booth at the DuPage County Fair to educate the public on beekeeping and sell local honey to the fair attendees.  Members can volunteer to help with honey sales and talk about honey bees and beekeeping.
  • State Fair Honey Competition- The Cook – DuPage Beekeepers Association is one of a handful of associations that participate in the Illinois State Fair competition in Springfield.

Additionally, all members of the Cook – DuPage Beekeeping Association are automatically enrolled in the Illinois State Beekeepers Association and receive the Illinois State Beekeepers Association Newsletter and the benefits afforded the statewide organization.

Membership is open to anyone interested in bees, and bee keeping.  You do not need to own a hive to join.