Jamie L. Walters
“I started beekeeping in 2006 as an Ohio State University ~ Master Gardener. My first year (by myself) as a beekeeper was a disaster, got myself stung, my wife, my girls, and my dog. After taking my 4th beginner beekeeper class, I received the opportunity to meet Dwight Wilson. He is now and always will be my “beekeeping father & mentor”. He gave me 10 full colonies to learn from and work with.
From this time with Dwight and pushing my passion with these awesome creatures, we (wife & I) grew our operation to over 200 colonies; nucs, mating, and full size. Years now, I have cut back to 45 colonies due to work, life, and back surgeries. Since my background is in computer, graphics, video, and audio…this has helped OSBA with outreach. Continuing to strive past covid and onto better education through education.
I'm currently active in:
• Ohio State University Defiance County Master Gardener – current Vice President / past President (11 years)
• Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist – member in Hancock & Defiance County.
• Ohio State Beekeepers Association (OSBA Life Member) – Past Regional Director, Youth Scholarship Committee Chairman, Affiliate Program Committee Chairman, Live Webinar Training Series – Host, Hive Digest Editor, Maumee Valley Regional Representative, Webmaster/IT and Networking Director.
• Ohio State Beekeepers Traveling Speaker (6 years) ADK, Sustainability, Small Scale Queen Rearing, Honeycomb Management, Successful Overwintering, Sustainable Beekeeping
• Ohio Certified Private Pesticide Applicator (Core & Class 4)
• Ohio State University - Pollinator Specialists Advocate – OSU Professor Denis Ellsworth
• Northwest Ohio Beekeepers Association (affiliate of OSBA) – Past Vice President (5 years)
• Black Swamp Beekeepers Association (affiliate of OSBA) – President (8 years & founder)
• Pollinator Sanctuary & Training Facility of Defiance County – President & NACo Award
• Educator for Defiance Beginning Beekeepers Internship - 10 month course (6th year)
• Educator for Defiance Advanced Beekeepers Internship - 10 month course (5th year)
• CSAW Class I & II in Forestry Management
• Instrumental Insemination Queen Breeder – Purdue Class 2016
• Ohio Department of Agriculture – Defiance County Apiary Inspector (8th year)
• Creator/Editor of 9 newsletters; OSBA Hive, OSBA Master Gardeners, OCVN.
• Currently Own & Operate: Kaydee's Bee's & Honey
• Currently Franchise Owner of H&R Block in Defiance, OH
Awards:
• OSBA Beekeeper of the Year 2017
• OSBA Propolis Award 2018
• Ohio State House of Representatives – Acknowledgement Award
• OSBA President’s Award - 2020”