The North Carolina State Beekeepers Association is proud to introduce the James Dove Memorial Mentorship Award, established to honor beekeepers whose generosity of time, talent, and resources strengthens our entire membership.
This award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond to mentor fellow beekeepers — sharing hard-won knowledge, patiently answering questions, opening their apiaries to newcomers, and helping cultivate the next generation of skilled, confident beekeepers across North Carolina. Mentorship is the backbone of our craft, and this award celebrates those who ensure that expertise and best practices are passed down and preserved within our community.
In Memory of James Dove
This award is named in loving memory of James Dove, a devoted member of the NCSBA from 2015 until his passing in 2026. James served his local chapter, the Beekeepers of the Neuse, first as Vice-President and later as President, and he brought that same dedication to the state level as a Regional Director on the NCSBA Board of Directors from 2018 to 2026.
An NCSBA Master Beekeeper, James’s commitment to beekeeping education ran deep. He served on the Master Beekeeper Committee, supported the NCSBA’s Born and Bred program, and taught at local bee schools. Above all, he was a mentor at heart — always willing to guide new beekeepers and work tirelessly to help local chapters in his region flourish.
The James Dove Memorial Mentorship Award stands as a lasting tribute to James’s legacy of teaching, service, and lifting others up — values that continue to guide and strengthen the NCSBA.