The Toe Cane Beekeepers Association (TCBA) is proud to announce Debbie Griffith of Avery County has been certified by the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association (NCSBA) as a Master Beekeeper.  This certification reflects a beekeeper who has demonstrated expertise in beekeeping and in a number of specialized areas, has passed written tests and hands-on field exams, and performed extensive community service projects. 

Master Beekeeper is the third level of certification available in the state. Becoming a Master Beekeeper takes years.  By achieving this certification, Debbie joins an elite community of beekeepers. There are only about 100 Master Beekeepers in North Carolina, and two are members of the TCBA. 

Griffith has been a beekeeper for more than 6 years, and has about 10 colonies in her Whippoorwill Hill Apiary in the Ingalls community of  Avery County.  

Griffith is past president of TCBA and currently serves as its secretary.  She enjoys mentoring new beekeepers, and giving talks and demonstrations at area schools and events.  Recently, she became chair of the NCSBA’s Certified Honey Producer Program. Her other interests include competing in dog agility and fly-fishing.

The TCBA has more than 80 members and serves beekeepers across Mitchell, Avery and Yancey counties. For more information or to join, visit www.toecanebeekeepers.net.