OSBA was formed in 1939;

then Incorporated September 7, 1976.

The origin of the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association [OSBA] has been traced back some 70 years. However, written records are very inconclusive or non-existent; therefore, the historical report has been based largely on people's recollections of dates and events.

The Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association [OSBA] was formed in 1938 or 1939, according to Mr. J. M. Goin of Rattan, Oklahoma. Mr. Goin worked for the Entomology Division of the Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture. He entered the department in 1938. Shortly after that, the first State Association was formed. Mr. Bob Blackwell of Oklahoma City was the first president.

We worked hard to get where we are!

Gradually the Association began to grow. More and more people became aware of the importance of beekeeping and the desire for recognition prompted them to join the Association and attend the meetings. During this period the meetings were held in the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City. With the growing interest in beekeeping and with beekeepers scattered all over the state, this prompted the idea for beekeepers in different areas of the state to form local associations.

 

Beekeepers in the northeastern section of the state were the first local to organize with the Northeastern Oklahoma Beekeepers Association [NEOBA], with headquarters in Claremore in 1967. In March of 1968, the East Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association [ECOBA] was organized with headquarters in Ada, Oklahoma. In October of 1968, the Northwestern Oklahoma Beekeepers Association {NWOBA] was formed at Enid.

 

As previously stated, the State Association held most of their meetings in Oklahoma City; however, with the organization of various local associations over the state, this led to the ruling of having the spring meetings, which were designated as being educational: meetings, to be hosted by the local associations. In June 1969, the state meeting was held at Ada, Oklahoma, at the Fairgrounds building, hosted by the East Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association. This turned out to be a very worthwhile meeting not only for the gracious hospitality of the host association, but also for the speech given by Dr. Wm. G. Peterson, famous allergy specialist. Dr. Peterson recommended pure raw honey as a cure for most allergies and hay fever patients. In two months time his speech had been printed some 20 thousand times in newspapers and medical journals all over the country. It was a "shot in the arm" for all beekeepers large and small.