The Western Apicultural Society (WAS) is a leading nonprofit organization promoting beekeeping across the western United States and Canada. Founded in 1978 with support from the Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS).
Our Vision
We envision a region where beekeepers are better informed and confident in creating a healthy environment for honey bees and other pollinators to thrive.
Our Mission
To support and inform beekeepers through education in the art and science of beekeeping.
We Accomplish Our Mission by
Consider Supporting Our Mission with Your Annual Membership
Monthly Mini-Conferences | Resource Library | Collaborative Network
Becoming a WAS member means more than access to resources — it’s joining a network of beekeepers, researchers, and educators working together to advance the art and science of beekeeping. Your membership supports ongoing education, research, and collaboration that strengthen bee health and sustainability across the West.
Our Current President
Scott Steinfeldt
Hello! I’m Scott Steinfeldt, and I live with my spouse on a beautiful twenty-acre estate nestled between the mountains of Whitehall and Butte, Montana. We love spending time outdoors, whether it’s fly fishing, hunting, or camping, being in nature brings us joy. We also raise and train Labrador Retrievers and German Wirehaired Pointers, which gives us so much happiness. Professionally, I work as a clinical toxicologist and am a retired healthcare administrator, but I’m also well known in the community as the “Beeman.” I had the wonderful opportunity to cofound our local beekeeping association in Butte, where I lead monthly teaching sessions. It’s truly inspiring to see our community’s growing enthusiasm for beekeeping. Our club members are active in local policies, and their dedicated efforts have made a big positive impact on beekeeping practices in the area.
My passion for bees began in childhood on a ranch near the Oregon coast, where I first developed an appreciation for these remarkable creatures. My father was an amateur beekeeper, and I greatly enjoyed watching him tend his hives—my fascination with bees has endured ever since. For the past 15 years, we have maintained bees through Bald Mountain Apiary. Currently, we oversee 80 hives and produce and sell Queens, Nucs, and Honey.
I have also completed the Master Beekeeping course at the University of Montana, which has proven to be one of the most valuable decisions in my beekeeping career. I am currently enrolled in their Commercial Beekeeping course.
My objective is to further enhance my knowledge as a beekeeper while tending to my bees, and to assist others in learning and succeeding in beekeeping. With my scientific background and passion for this pursuit, WSU and the University of Montana have proven to be invaluable resources on my journey as a committed beekeeper.