SEMBA Buddy System
The SEMBA Buddy System, inaugurated in the fall of 2002 is designed to pair a novice beekeeper (SEMBA members only) with an experienced beekeeper (or mentor) living relatively close by. The experienced beekeeper would be able to answer questions by phone or e-mail or might make an on-site visit to help with some problem.

The mentor program is designed for a beekeeper who has learned on his own about bees or by taking a beekeeping class and has started a colony of bees. The program is NOT intended as beginning beekeeping instruction.

Each pair would develop their own plan of cooperation. Some mentors have agreed to help more than one beginner. The mentor list now includes:

  • Paul Mazur – Flint and Mt Pleasant area
  • Roger Reuter – Waterford area
  • Clayton Scholz – Northville area
  • Win Harless – Plymouth – Canton area
  • Roger Sutherland – Ann Arbor area
  • Ron Forfinski – Brighton area
  • Jim Goodrich -- Lapeer County area
  • Rich Wieske - Royal Oak and Detroit
  • Mike French - Rives Junction, Jackson Co.


    • If you are interested in becoming involved in the “buddy system” or need more information please e-mail Roger Sutherland, rsuther@sembabees.org or call him at 734-668-8568. As new mentors volunteer we will add those names and the area served to this web site. For new mentors a contact will be made with you before assigning a buddy.

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