For more than 80 years, the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) has been working in the interest of all beekeepers, large and small, and those associated with the beekeeping industry. More than 80% of your membership dues support education, research and legislative action on your behalf. Your paid membership helps to sustain the beekeeping industry and hobby we all love. The ABF offers six different levels of membership to match your operation.
“Joining the ABF was the best thing I have done to improve my ability to care for our bees. We are fruit farmers who became beekeepers of necessity for pollination. We have since discovered that beekeepers are a lot like fishermen in that everyone insists their way is the only way, but no one actually has factual research to support their position. The ABF is a breath of fresh air in the strongly academic approach and open exploration of new ideas and methods.” – Gary Winkel
Do you represent a state beekeeping association?
Click here to learn about our state sponsorship benefits packages.
If you are or have ever been a member of the ABF, please DO NOT create a new membership profile. Instead, use the “Renewing Your Membership” section. If you do not remember your password, contact the ABF headquarters office at 317.503.0583 or email us at abfnet.org@gmail.com.
If you are joining or renewing you may use the form below.
Pay dues securely online with a Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express or request an invoice to pay by check. If you need to upgrade, select the level you’d like to upgrade to. If you experience any issues, call the office at 317-503-0583 for assistance.
| Membership Type | Annual Dues |
| Small Scale Member Recommended for Hobbyists, Scientists and Students. | $60 |
| Sideliner Member Recommended for Operations up to 299 Colonies. | $125 |
| Gold Member Recommended for Operations running 300 or more Colonies. | $300 |
| President’s Club Recommended for Queen Breeders, Package Bee or Nuc Producers, Commercial Honey Importers, Bee Supply Dealers, Honey Packers or Operations running 1000 – 1999 Colonies. | $500 |
| President’s Club – Silver Recommended for those with operations in the 2,000 to 2,999 Colony range or those wishing to contribute more to ABF. Platinum membership includes both a Primary Membership along with an additional membership with voting rights. | $1,000 |
| President’s Club – Gold Recommended for those with operations of 3000 or more Colonies or those wishing to contribute even more to ABF. Platinum Plus membership includes a Primary Membership along with two additional memberships both having voting rights. | $1,500 |
Criteria noted in the Membership Level recommendations are suggestions and individuals can join at whatever level they choose to do so, i.e., a Hobbyist could join as Gold Member, or a Bee Supply Dealer may choose to join at the President’s Club level. Your dues and contributions help support the operations of ABF in supporting the Beekeeping Industry.
Please note that ABF membership dues and contributions, except those to the ABF Foundation, are not tax deductible as a charitable contribution. However, they may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expenses, subject to restrictions imposed as a result of ABF lobbying activities. The ABF estimates that the non-deductible portion of your dues and contributions (the portion allocatable to lobbying) is 20%.
Government Relations & Legislative Activity
While you are busy with your bees, the ABF is keeping tabs on what’s happening in D.C. of special interest to beekeepers and getting the information to you.
On-Demand Beekeeping Education
The ABF Education Committee works year-round to keep members engaged and informed between annual conferences. Our “Conversation with a Beekeeper” online education series offers more than 100 on-demand classes for ABF members to enjoy whenever and wherever you are.
Honey Defense Fund
Used to help protect the image of honey and ensure the purity of honey in the market by testing honey samples suspected of being adulterated with a cheaper sweetener and funding honey purity research.
American Beekeeping Federation Conference & Tradeshow
In addition to an informative program and dozens of commercial exhibits, the conference features the American Honey Show and the selection of the American Honey Queen and Princess, as well as other educational and social activities.
ABF Quarterly Magazine
Features educational articles and state-of-the-industry editorials along with ABF activities and happenings in the beekeeping industry (member login required).
ABF E-Buzz Newsletter
Published monthly and sent via e-mail to all ABF members. Contains up-to-the-minute ABF updates, legislative news, event information, member features and useful beekeeping tips and tricks.
ABF Membership Directory
An online membership directory is available to ABF members (member login required). The directory is often used by members for networking and by suppliers and buyers seeking sources and customers.
American Honey Queen Program
Each year, a Honey Queen and a Honey Princess are chosen to promote honey and beekeeping across the country at fairs, festivals and other events. In addition, recipe folders using honey are available to you for use in your promotional and educational efforts. You can also arrange for the Queen or Princess to visit your marketing area for a promotion.
ABF Website
Up-to-date information about the ABF, industry news and industry links are posted regularly on the website.
Industry Resource
Operating as a resource point for the beekeeping industry, each day the ABF staff fields a wide range of questions about the beekeeping industry. These include reporters looking for information, buyers searching for sources of hive products, and members and other beekeepers looking for miscellaneous information. The ABF website is a great source for information and resources related to the beekeeping industry.
Assisting with Beekeeper’s Liability Insurance Program
The ABF has identified and recommends an agency from which you can obtain liability insurance to protect your beekeeping operation in today’s litigious society.
Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees
The ABF established the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc., a non-profit corporation, for the express purpose of the preservation of the practice and the profession of beekeeping through education and research. The foundation provides a vehicle to channel grants, gifts and bequests into beekeeping research and education.
