What started out as a little Google Group founded by Krista Harris, publisher of Edible Santa Barbara, has turned into over 100 enthusiastic Backyard Beekeepers yearning to learn more about the Majestic World of the Honey Bee.
In the spring of 2011, the group began its journey to more formal organization through the efforts of Todd Bebb and Paul Cronshaw. Now an established California non-profit, SBBA hopes to bring our goals of education, awareness and honeybee preservation to a new level.
We are fortunate to have some of the most knowledgeable and experienced Beekeepers living right here in Santa Barbara, willing to share this knowledge and experience with us. Learning how to take care of the Honey Bee, so that she can continue taking care of us, is what we all hope to do.
We hope you will enjoy this web site, learn from it, and contribute your experiences with the Bees.
Bee Well and Bee Happy
Paul Cronshaw / President
Paul “The Beeman” Cronshaw has been keeping honeybees in Santa Barbara County since graduating from SBHS in 1971. He set up his first hive on the roof of his parent’s house, purchased his first hive equipment from Sears catalog, and ordered a package of bees from Mississippi. Since then he has been following his passion for honeybees by maintaining a small apiary in the Montecito foothills, mentoring beginner beekeepers, teaching beekeeping to high school students, removing and relocating honeybees humanely from structures, and recently starting a Host A Hive program to promote the urban beekeeping movement.
Todd Bebb / Vice President
Todd Bebb started beekeeping in January of 2011, with an interest in backyard gardening, and a desire to help out the bees after seeing a local showing of Vanishing of the Bees. He joined the local Santa Barbara Beekeepers Google Group, took a Beginning Beekeeping Class that Paul offered at Fairview Gardens, and bought his first hive. He was immediately smitten by the Bees, and now takes on as many Bee Rescues and Relocations as he possibly can. He has been married to Helene for over 25 years and loves spending time with his sons, Chris and Kam.
Gina Jepson / Secretary
Gina Jepson, Secretary and SBBA founding member, brought five years of beekeeping experience, as well as being responsible for creating the Sweet Start concept. She and her husband built our first web site and were instrumental in much of the early branding and formation of SBBA’s many programs, including the Master Beekeeper Certification program.
Scott Engblom became one of Paul Cronshaw’s beekeeping disciples after watching his beekeeping presentations during Earth Day 2010 and through Paul’s patient mentoring in the years following that fateful day. Since becoming a backyard beekeeper, he has volunteered his time to help in bee rescues and bee relocations and to help bring awareness to the public as part of SBBA on the importance of the honeybee in our daily lives. He is a fisheries biologist by profession and an avid outdoor enthusiast.
Jordan benShea, stumbled upon beekeeping in early 2013 but was quickly intrigued and found herself devoting time to the Santa Barbara Beekeeping Association in an effort to help the bees. Within the first year Jordan became an active member representing the well-being of the bees in the community while partaking in hands-on experience during swarm calls and bait-outs. What Jordan loves most about working with the bees is how you can be instantly immersed in nature with their amazing ecosystem. She recently completed her Apprentice certificate and is now working on her Journeyman and spending time with her four hives. Jordan is a strategic marketing consultant and enjoys free time in nature.