Last summer, our membership voted to adopt a new name: the Minnesota Beekeepers Association (MBA). While the change may look simple on the surface, it represents something much deeper—our history, our present work, and the future of beekeeping in Minnesota.
In fact, this is not a new name at all. When our organization was founded in 1889, it was established as the Minnesota State Bee Association. By 1891 it had become the Minnesota Beekeepers Association and for 90 years, the Association operated under that banner, serving hobbyists, sideliners, and commercial beekeepers alike.
In 1980, the organization changed its name to the Minnesota Honey Producers Association. At the time, the change made sense. Honey production was central to the identity and livelihood of many members, and the name emphasized an important agricultural product and a desire for beekeepers to identify as professionals.
Over the decades, however, the work of Minnesota beekeepers—and the expectations placed on bees—has expanded significantly.
Today, beekeepers are educators, environmental stewards, small business owners, researchers, and advocates. Our bees are not only producing honey; they are providing essential pollination services, supporting food systems, contributing to ecosystem health, and serving as indicators of environmental change. Our members are deeply engaged in issues such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, honey adulteration, disease management, and public education.
As the scope of our work broadened, it became clear that our name no longer fully reflected who we are or what we do.
The vote to return to the Minnesota Beekeepers Association was driven by a desire for inclusivity and clarity. The new name better represents:
Beekeepers at all scales, from backyard to commercial
Members whose primary focus may be pollination, education, queen rearing, or conservation—not just honey production
The many roles bees play beyond the honey jar
This change is not a departure from our past—it is a reconnection with it. By returning to our original name, we honor the vision of the Association’s founders in 1889 while positioning ourselves for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Our mission remains the same: to support Minnesota beekeepers, promote healthy bees, and advocate for practices and policies that allow both to thrive. What has changed is simply that our name now tells that story more completely.
Thank you to the members who participated thoughtfully in this process and helped guide the Association forward. We look ahead with pride in our history and confidence in our future—as the Minnesota Beekeepers Association once again.
