About Us
Our Mission
The Pierce County Beekeepers Association has been bringing beekeepers together since 1948. What started as a small gathering of passionate hobbyists has grown into one of the region's most welcoming beekeeping communities — a place where beginners find their footing and experienced beekeepers continue to grow.
Proudly located on WSU Puyallup Extension Campus, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the health of honey bees and the people who keep them. Our educational programs are conducted through the Oregon State University Master Beekeepers Educational Program and the Washington State Beekeepers Association, giving our members access to trusted, research-backed learning at every level. But beyond the classroom, PCBA is about connection — the friendships built at meetings, the advice shared between neighbors, and the collective pride of a community that cares deeply about bees and the world they support.
Whether you're just starting out with your first hive or you've been keeping bees for decades, you'll find your place here. We believe beekeeping is better together, and we're glad you found us.
Programs and Awards
We offer community outreach programs as well as programs and awards for those already involved in our local beekeeping community.
Study Grant Program
Are you between the ages of 13-18, with interest in learning about beekeeping? If so apply for the PCBA Study Grant Program. The purpose is to encourage the next generation to take up beekeeping through mentoring, education and providing equipment. Applicants must live in the Pierce County Beekeepers' service area, including all of Pierce County and those parts of adjoining cities. It is a wonderful program! (Application and Requirements - Click Here) - MAKE A PDF - KATHLEEN
Bob Stump Award
The Bob Stump Memorial Award is in honor of Bob’s commitment and love of beekeeping. He was dedicated to promoting the gentle art and science of beekeeping in the community. Bob was an exceptional leader and educator, sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge as a speaker, mentor and teacher. Award Criteria: The Bob Stump Memorial Award is an honor bestowed upon an individual for outstanding contributions to apiculture. Nominees will be selected by the PCBA Board of Directors. One of these nominees will be voted in by the general membership at the PCBA general meeting in February of each year. Award Conditions: The recipient must be a member in good standing of the Pierce County Beekeepers Association (PCBA). The actions of the recipient should be (but not limited to) complimentary to the art, science and husbandry of apiculture. The recipient need not be an active Washington State Beekeepers Association member. Previous recipients of this award are not eligible for future Bob Stump awards. The recipients names, past and present, will be on permanent display at the PCBA general meeting hall. Bob Stump’s Legacy: Bob was a Master Beekeeper. He was elected president of the Washington State Beekeepers Association in 1999 and served in that capacity through 2003. He also served as treasurer of the Master Beekeeper’s Committee for several years. His work and dedication in supporting WSU and Dr. Sheppard in their efforts has created a great partnership for all of us to follow. He was voted the 1996 WSBA Beekeeper of the Year. Beginning in 1987, the Washington State Beekeepers Association wanted to recognize the importance of Washington State beekeepers who make a significant impact on the industry. Each year local associations are asked to submit a candidate of their choice to receive the WSBA Beekeeper of the Year Award, to be voted on by the WSBA Executive Board prior to the annual meeting. Criteria: Which beekeeper has done the most to promote and demonstrate good beekeeping, improve the public image of the industry and/or show how this member has volunteered for civic and other projects. Bob Stump lived in Gig Harbor, WA. He passed away March 31, 2005. Members of his family include his wife, Tillie, and his six sons, two daughters and three stepchildren: son Robert, daughter Pat Hubbard (Don), son Bill (Mary Anne), daughter Betty Logan (Bob), son David (Chris), son Tom (Jeri), son Kevin (Heather), son Greg, and Tillie’s two daughters, Lucinda and Norma Jean, and son Ronald.
Board Members & Committee Chairs
President - president@pcbeekeepers.org
Kathleen Clerc
PCBA member since 2021
Beekeeper since 2021
Master Student of the OSU Master Beekeeping Program
Kathleen is passionate about bees and the people who keep them. An urban beekeeper, and mother of twins, she served as PCBA's Vice President before becoming President in 2026.
Michelle Cyree
Michelle is originally from Dublin, Georgia, where she grew up immersed in agriculture and animal husbandry, raising and caring for horses, pigs, chickens, and goats while actively participating in 4-H. She earned her Associate of Science degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 2008, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Georgia in 2010.
After college, Michelle worked as a veterinary technician for several years before commissioning into the United States Air Force in 2014. She served honorably until 2022, gaining leadership experience and a deep appreciation for resilience, problem-solving, and adaptability. During her service she deployed twice in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, gaining over 1200 flight hours as an Air Battle Manager / Air Surveillance Officer. In 2023, she relocated to Washington with her two young daughters.
Michelle is a single mother and stay-at-home parent located in Spanaway, while also running an open-choice, primitive camping experience on her farmland in Orting. Her land offers guests a rare opportunity to camp alongside free-ranging horses and goats, fostering a connection to nature, simplicity, and sustainable living.
Outside of her work and parenting, Michelle enjoys beekeeping, creating and building through DIY and home improvement projects, gardening, reading, antique hunting, volunteering with local cat rescues, horseback riding and exploring new places with her daughters. Her life is rooted in hands-on learning, self-reliance, and creating meaningful experiences for both her family and her community.
Treasurer - treasurer@pcbeekeepers.org
Fawn Casey
Fawn is an urban beekeeper that's constantly amazed at everything honeybees... how they live, work, & how much there is to learn about them.
Secretary - secretary@pcbeekeepers.org
Nate Chambers
Husband, father of 2 vibrant teenagers. Has lived in Edgewood for 20 years, loves cycling, bee keeping (of course), and cultivating a healthy local ecosystem go Bees!
Operations Chair - operations@pcbeekeepers.org
Bryce Landrud
Bryce brings a unique perspective to beekeeping through his lifelong work with plants and ecosystems. As a certified arborist since 1992 and principal of Thundering Oak Enterprises, Bryce has spent decades understanding the intricate relationships between trees, flowering plants, and the pollinators that depend on them. This deep knowledge of plant health and seasonal cycles naturally led him to beekeeping, where he applies the same careful observation and stewardship that has defined his career in arboriculture.
A lifelong Auburn resident and 1979 graduate of WSU's Forest Management program, Bryce maintains hives at several locations, including a local lavender farm where his bees forage among the fragrant blossoms - producing honey with distinctive floral notes that reflect the surrounding landscape. His honey is sought after by those curious about how local flora influences flavor and character.
Within PCBA, Bryce serves as chair of the Operations Committee, where his expertise truly shines. He is instrumental in maintaining our bee hive grounds and honey house in stellar condition, ensuring that all club members have access to well-kept facilities and equipment. His monthly commitment to the association, along with his regular presence at educational events like the Washington State Fair, reflects his dedication to supporting both new and experienced beekeeprs in our community.
Bryce also serves on the City of Auburn Urban Tree Board, continuing his mission to promote healthy ecosystems where pollinators and people can thrive together.
Hospitality Co-Chair
Kelly Daly
Kelly is a passionate chef, dedicated beekeeper, and active community volunteer based in Seattle, Washington. Originally from Spokane, she brings heart, creativity, and precision to her work with Ravishing Radish, a local catering company known for its fresh, seasonal menus and elegant presentations.
Beyond the kitchen, Kelly is in her second year of beekeeping and a proud third-year member of the Pierce County Beekeepers Association (PCBA), where she nurtures hives and advocates for pollinator health. Her love of nature and sustainability often inspires her cooking, especially through honey-infused dishes and locally sourced ingredients.
Kelly also volunteers with Paws with Cause, a nonprofit that helps shelter pets get adopted through community-created pet portraits. As a devoted pet parent to two dogs, Gus and Luna, and a cat named Betty, the cause is especially close to her heart.
When she’s not cooking, tending bees, or volunteering, Kelly enjoys time with family and friends and dreams of traveling the world — exploring new cultures and cuisines that continue to shape her work and life.
Whether in the kitchen, the garden, or the community, Kelly is always creating, connecting, and contributing — one dish, one hive, and one painted pet at a time.
Hospitality Co Chair
Kristin Collett
Kristin is the office manager at AirBest Home Services, where she keeps schedules, people, and problems running as smoothly as a well-organized hive. When she's not managing the daily buzz at work, she's tending to her own bees and garden - because clearly, she thrives where there's pollen, purpose, and a little chaos.
A devoted beekeeper, Kristin knows that teamwork makes everything sweeter, whether it's in the office, at home with her family, or inside a humming hive. She believes good things happen when everyone knows their role, stays curious, and works together - preferably with a jar of honey at the end of the day.
Events & Fundraising Chair - events@pcbeekeepers.org
TBD
If you are interested in this position, please contact Kathleen Clerc at president@pcbeekeepers.org.
Education Chair -education@pcbeekeepers.org
Katie Marler
Katie has loved bugs her whole life. She's a long-time WA resident with some time spent in Tokyo, Japan as well as 4 years of college on Oahu, HI. She is a mom of 3 and serves on the PTA for their local elementary school. She enjoys gardening, foraging, and painting. In 2015 she was inspired to start learning about bees and the possibility of beekeeping when a huge swarm landed in her backyard! She enjoys the tinkering aspect of beekeeping and learning how to build things herself, and especially loves raising queen bees. Eventually she'd love to open an all-bug zoo here in Tacoma (or anywhere) and feature the coolest indoor observation hive in the US!
Communications Chair
TBD
If you are interested in this position, please contact Kathleen Clerc at president@pcbeekeepers.org.
TBD
If you are interested in this position, please contact Kathleen Clerc at president@pcbeekeepers.org.