CKHP Manager: R. Scott Moore

R. Scott Moore has been the Program Manager for the Certified Kentucky Honey Producers, the marketing arm of KSBA, since February, 2021. In this position, Scott manages grant funding from the Kentucky Agriculture Development Fund, promotes local honey to conscientious consumers by stressing truth-in-labelling, coordinates outreach and marketing events (including conferences, trade shows, fairs, meetings, and educational events), and develops external partner relationships to connect CKHP members with other local industries to further promote and feature the benefits of Certified Kentucky Honey.  

Scott started beekeeping in 2017 and is a mentor for new beekeepers, including those in the Hives for Heroes program. He currently keeps hives in Henry County. Scott is a director on the Jefferson County board of Kentucky Farm Bureau where he advocates for policies that benefit beekeepers throughout Kentucky. With a technical background and a commitment to continuous improvement, Scott leverages scientific processes to promote sustainable agriculture and food security.

Kentucky State Apiarist: Amanda Skidmore

Dr. Amanda Skidmore is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Entomology and Sustainable Agriculture with a minor in pest management and a doctorate in entomology focusing on integrated pest management in specialty crops. She worked on beneficial insects and pollinators during her post doctorate work at Purdue University, before becoming an assistant professor at New Mexico State University. At New Mexico State University she served in joint roles as the State Integrated Pest Management Coordinator and assistant professor of Integrated Pest Management for Small and Urban Farms. She moved back to Kentucky to take on the role as the assistant professor of Agronomy at Morehead State University before becoming a full-time grant writer.

Amanda joined the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in May 2024 as the Kentucky State Apiarist. Her responsibilities include identifying infectious diseases for honeybee colonies and helping to eradicate those diseases. In addition, she will help to educate the non-beekeeping public about the importance of honeybees and offer best advice practice to the beekeeping community.

Past President: Tim Sheehan

Tim Sheehan lives in Harrodsburg KY and retired from a career in Forestry in 2015. He has been a beekeeper for 18  years. He and his wife Lori live on a small farm, have 150 hives in Mercer County, and produce around 6,000 lbs. of honey annually. Their business name is My Harrodsburg Honey Company. Tim has been an active board member for the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association and is co-manager of the KY State Fair honey booth. Tim is also a member of the local bee club, Fort Harrod Beekeepers.  The family unit includes two married sons, two grand daughters and a German shorthaired pointer named Bee. Bee is a great bird dog and she's not for sale.

Ray Bowman (Appointed Until 2026)

Ray Bowman has been keeping bees for  about three years and has become passionate about the pursuit. Ray is excited to become actively involved in promoting and growing beekeeping in the Commonwealth as a Director with KSBA. He retired from Kentucky State Government after 30 years of working in emergency management, communications and agricultural commodity groups. Ray is President, Franklin County Farm Bureau. Ray has extensive experience in radio, video, podcast and social media productions, where he has received numerous awards. Ray looks forward to lending his talents to support Kentucky beekeepers.

Chuck Collins (Term 2024-2026)

Chuck Collins is the owner and beekeeper at The Bee Barn.  Established in 2012, The Bee Barn offers Beekeeping Supplies, Honey Bee Nucs, Package Bees, Queens and Honey from their store location in Paducah and their web site. Chuck has been a beekeeper for the last 13 years and currently serves as President of the Lake Barkley Beekeepers Association. Chuck previously worked as an executive in the utility contracting industry for more than 30 years.

Laurie Eiden (Term 2025-2027)

Laurie Eiden is a retired Cosmetology Instructor of 32 years. She has been keeping bees for 7 years and finds it fascinating. She has met so many wonderful people. She enjoys mentoring people and catching swarms. Laurie currently has twelve hives on 52 acres in Grayson County.  She belongs to the Hardin County Beekeepers Association where she serves as a planning committee chairperson. Laurie has served as a board member for the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association for the past two years. She is also a Certified Kentucky Honey producer.

Steve Hahus has degrees in biology and zoology and is a Cornell University Certified Master Beekeeper. Steve has a diverse background in education, teaching anatomy & physiology, microbiology, zoology, AP biology, and outdoor education at the high school and biomedical science and microbiology at Owensboro Community College. For more than 25 years, Steve has been educating people in the areas of nature and the environment (plant and animal ID, animal behavior, and ecological relationships. He has an extensive photo collection of over 80 plants on which honey bees forage. Steve currently manages 22 hives, at his home and on the Owensboro Community College campus. His beekeeping methods are grounded in scientific principles, biology, and research. Steve bases his beekeeping practices on three principles: a positive outcome for the colony, the path that requires the least labor and storage, and getting there at the lowest cost. Steve is an officer/director and member of the Green Valley Beekeepers Association.

Chris Palmer (Term 2025-2027)

Chris Palmer of Cynthiana, KY, is the Branch Manager at Dadant & Sons Inc. Frankfort, KY, focusing on sales and customer service in the beekeeping supply industry. Chris has practiced his bee husbandry skills for over 20 years and is also a partner of Palmer Brothers Bee Farm, which produces Honey, Bee Colonies, and Queens for the needs of the surrounding community. Chris is actively enrolled in the Master Beekeeping Program at the University of Florida, where he has secured his advanced beekeeping level, and is actively working towards achieving his Master's level.  In addition to his titles, Chris is a board member for the Licking Valley Honey Bee Society (Cynthiana, Ky), which hosts the annual Cynthiana Honey Festival, and Chris supervises the honey show.  Chris focuses his time and effort on assisting beekeepers of all levels and stages in education and sustainable practices to ensure success in their own apiculture endeavors.  Chris is also a member of the Certified Kentucky Honey Program and seeks a role with the KSBA as Director.  As a KSBA Director, Chris is excited to play an integral role in the future of Kentucky beekeeping.

Elizabeth Rossi (Term 2025-2027)

Elizabeth Rossi has been a beekeeper for five years and is the President of the Northern Kentucky Beekeepers Association for the past four. Being part of her local bee club community brings her great joy, and she is excited to get involved at the state level. Elizabeth is passionate about beekeeping, spreading the love of pollinators and our environment, and building community. She believe investing in the things we care about can help make the world a better place, and she enjoys the contribution and collaborating with members of KSBA. Elizabeth looks forward to participating in organizing future state conferences and other events that bring the beekeeping community closer together.

Troy Simpson (Term 2025-2027)

Troy Simpson is a 26 year beekeeper in Taylorsville, Kentucky with 50 colonies in 2 apiaries. All of Troy's bees have come from feral origins, as they were caught in traps or have been split from original hives for swarm control and increasing colony numbers. Troy raises queens, uses mini mating nucs as well as traditional nucs, makes and sells equipment as he maintains a full woodworking shop as well. He is Honey Ridge Farm and Woodworking LLC. Troy have been volunteering with KSBA for many years and this year, he became the Chair of the State Fair Committee.

Joe Taylor and his wife, Kay live on the family farm in Grayson County Kentucky. He is a retired Industrial Arts / Technology Education teacher at Grayson County High School. Joe began beekeeping in 1985 and has been constructing much of his equipment he uses. He works 30 or so colonies for pollination and honey production. Additionally he is called upon to catch swarms and extract bees from structures and trees.

 Joe has served as Kentucky State Beekeepers Association President in 2010 and honored with the 2011 KSBA, Beekeeper of the Year Award. He also has served as the Grayson County Beekeepers Association President. He is presently the Secretary / Treasurer of the Grayson County Beekeepers.

BeeLines Editor: Theresa Martin

Education Coordinator: Arron Redmond

Legislative Representative: R. Scott Moore

Website/IT Support: Carl Russell, Julie Steber