Jenna Letain - Bee Ready: Stay Ahead of Hive Diseases

Join Jenna Letain, a Canada-based scientist, co-founder and COO behind BeeSafe Biotech, as she shares her research-driven perspective on honey bee viruses and the growing role of early detection tools.

Jenna will discuss what her research has uncovered, how rapid detection methods are being developed to identify hive threats, and why early discovery can make a meaningful difference for beekeepers. Expect approachable science and a look at where hive health technology is headed.

Shoshana Zeldner - On Honey Flavor and Aroma

We’re delighted to host Shoshana Zeldner, honey expert and Director of Brand Strategy at Z Specialty Food, a leading honey distributor based in Woodland, CA.

Shoshana brings a deep, multi-generational perspective shaped by her family’s long-standing involvement in the honey world, and works closely with her mother, Amina Harris, one of the foremost experts on California varietal honeys. Join us for an engaging (and sweet!) talk exploring honey, flavor, and the stories behind California’s remarkable varietals.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Elina Niño, Professor of Cooperative Extension in Apiculture at UC Davis and Director of the California Master Beekeeper Program, as our featured speaker for October.

Dr. Niño is internationally recognized for her work advancing honey bee health and beekeeping education. Her research spans honey bee queen biology and reproduction, varroa mite management, orchard pollination practices, and innovative approaches to precision beekeeping. Through her extension and outreach programs, she works closely with beekeepers, growers, researchers, and educators throughout California and beyond.

For this month’s presentation, Dr. Niño will share insights from her current research and extension work, highlighting emerging developments in honey bee health, management, and technology. As beekeepers prepare colonies for the winter season, this will be an exciting opportunity to learn about the latest science shaping the future of apiculture.

Join us for an evening of research, practical applications, and conversation with one of the leading voices in honey bee science and education.

Learn about the art of creating beautiful, clean-burning beeswax candles in this hands-on presentation focused on working with wax from the hive. We’ll cover the candle-making process, including cleaning and preparing beeswax, selecting molds, matching wick size to candle diameter, ideal temperatures for melting and pouring, and techniques for avoiding common issues like sinking, cracking, and wax bloom. The session will include a live candle-making demonstration with opportunities for audience participation.

SFBA Holiday Potluck Dinner Party
St. John Armenian Church, 275 Olympia Way, SF

Mark your calendars: Wednesday, December 2nd will be our biggest celebration of the year: the SFBA Member Holiday Potluck Dinner Party! Come for the feast, stay for the fun, and celebrate the season with your fellow beekeepers. It’s a night of great food, warm community, and festive cheer that you won’t want to miss! 

Keep an eye out for the event page and RSVP in early November!