Marc von Huene started beekeeping after attending a Community Education class five years ago. The first year he limited himself to two hives. He now maintains 17 hives during the nectar season. Beekeeping is one of the most engrossing hobbies one can hope to find. As an engineer at HP, he started the HP Boise bee club, which now has 25 members and a dozen hives on the Boise campus. Both at home and at work, Marc's most relaxing moments come from tending to boxes housing thousands of stinging insects.

The benefits of keeping bees extend far beyond the hobby aspect. For Marc. bees are more of a lifestyle than a hobby. In addition to having amazing garden, tree, and berry crops due to improved pollination, the honey harvested makes unique and special gifts. Working with bees has also kept his feet well grounded, and given him an understanding of nature that he never had before.

In addition to bees, Marc and his wife Marcie have two dogs and eight chickens. Their sons Jason and Conner have both flown the coop, and each is building their own menagerie.

Treasure Valley Beekeepers Club

James McMahon
I hold the BA, MPA and JD degrees. I have taught at three universities, two community colleges, and several police academies. I have been a guest lecturer at the RCMP Academy. I hold a Ryan K-12 teaching credential.

I have been keeping bees for nearly five years and have been a resident in Eagle since 2015. I am currently enrolled in the Oregon State University Masters beekeeping program as a journeyman beekeeper. I have been mentoring beginning beekeepers for three years.

Laura Otto
My husband, Vic and I have been successfully keeping bees as a hobby for the past 5 years. Prior to retirement, I taught intermediate grades at the elementary school level. I bring to this class a solid understanding of raising bees and the techniques to present the information clearly and concisely to the learner.

Marc von Huene

This class is what got me into beekeeping over 10 years ago. I've started a bee club on the HP campus and have half a dozen hives at my house. I have given bee talks in churches, libraries, company headquarters, schools, prisons, and at conferences. This last year, I was elected president of the Treasure Valley Beekeeping Club - a big jump since that first class. Beekeeping is without a doubt one of the greatest hobbies you can get involved in. It is constant learning and nurturing. Just when you think you know it all, the bees throw you another surprise.  

I am looking forward to again teaching the class where it has started for so many of us. 

Irene Westrick / Jacob Westrick
My husband, our 2 kids and I have been beekeeping since 2019. We are apprentice graduates of the OSU Oregon Master Beekeeping program, and Treasure Valley Beekeeper Club members. We enjoy foraging and processing our own food from the garden and from the mountains. In addition to having multiple hives, we raise chickens, rabbits, ducks and cats.