ABOUT US
Regenerative Beekeepers of America was founded by beekeepers, educators, and visionaries—bringing together decades of experience in honey bee stewardship, land regeneration, and community leadership.
We are more than an organization—we are a growing movement of leaders, learners, and land stewards working together to reimagine the future of beekeeping.
Meet our Executive Board
  • Tiffany Harelik
    Executive Director, Co-Founder
    Tiffany Harelik is a Texas Master Beekeeper, author, and educator dedicated to carrying forward regenerative beekeeping practices. She co-founded the Regenerative Beekeepers of America, the West Texas Beekeepers Guild, West Texas Bee School, and the first official Honey Show at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo. She is the author and publisher of several bestselling regional cookbooks—including The Big Bend Cookbook, The Big Country Cookbook, and The Terlingua Chili Cookbook—as well as beekeeper favorites Think Like a Beekeeper and The Beekeeper’s Calling.

    With a master’s degree in health psychology, a background in festival production and advanced Sirstudies in backyard herbalism, Tiffany now offers in-person and online beekeeping education. She manages bees for pollination and honey production throughout the Big Country ecoregion of Texas and shares her work through a podcast and YouTube channel. Her company, Hacienda Harelik Honey, honors the Harelik general stores her great-grandfather founded across Texas, a legacy she carries forward by sealing each jar with the family’s wax stamp with a symbol that means “Spring Land.”
  • Georgia Miguez
    Co-Founder, Secretary
    Georgia Miguez is the co-founder of Regenerative Beekeepers of America and the steward behind Sister Creek Hives, where she is dedicated to raising strong, resilient, chemical-free honey bee colonies. Rooted in a deep understanding of honey bee biology, she focuses on working with natural systems—managing pests and pathogens through observation, ecology, and informed stewardship rather than chemical intervention.

    A backyard herbalist and native plant advocate, Georgia has spent over a decade cultivating a holistic approach to beekeeping that connects soil, forage, and pollinator health. Her work is grounded in the belief that thriving bees begin with thriving ecosystems.

    Georgia is passionate about supporting and educating backyard beekeepers, restoring pollinator habitat, and increasing awareness of the vital role native pollinators play in regenerative landscapes. She is past President of the Hays County Beekeepers Association and continues her formal training through Texas Master Beekeeper programming.
  • Maurine Winkley
    Treasurer
    Maurine Winkley serves as Treasurer, bringing a thoughtful, systems-driven approach to the organization’s financial and operational stewardship. With a professional background in business management, financial oversight, and international conservation project coordination, she ensures that resources are aligned to support long-term impact and ecological resilience.

    Maurine’s work is guided by a deep commitment to healthy living, responsible resource use, and regenerative systems that honor both people and the land. Her experience spans working across diverse teams and landscapes, where she has helped manage complex projects with a focus on sustainability, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

    At RBA, Maurine plays a key role in building a strong organizational foundation—supporting initiatives that connect beekeeping, soil health, and habitat restoration. She is passionate about advancing regenerative agriculture through practical, well-supported programs and believes that careful stewardship of financial resources is essential to creating thriving ecosystems and resilient communities.
  • Judith Manriquez
    Board Member, Tech Systems Lead
    Judith Manriquez serves on the board of Regenerative Beekeepers of America, bringing a deeply intuitive, people-centered approach to leadership, transformation, and conscious business development. With over two decades of experience mentoring and advising women, Judith supports individuals in stepping into their full potential—aligning their gifts, values, and work in ways that are both meaningful and sustainable.

    Her work centers on helping women cultivate confidence, trust their inner knowing, and build businesses that honor their energy, creativity, and authentic expression. Through personalized mentorship, consulting, and strategic guidance, she has supported hundreds of women in refining their purpose-driven work and expanding into leadership without compromising who they are.

    Judith is passionate about the intersection of personal transformation and collective impact. She believes that when individuals are empowered to lead from a place of alignment and clarity, they contribute to more regenerative, balanced systems—both in business and in the natural world. At RBA, she brings this perspective to support a thriving, values-driven community rooted in growth, resilience, and connection.
Council of Elders
We rely on the research, experience, patience, and wisdom of our elder generation to support and sustain the future of regenerative beekeeping.
  • Les Crowder
    Board Member, Lead Elder
    Les Crowder is a pioneering beekeeper, teacher, and thought leader in treatment-free and regenerative beekeeping, and serves as a guiding voice within the Regenerative Beekeepers of America community. With decades of hands-on experience, Les is widely recognized for his commitment to working with honey bees in ways that honor their natural biology, resilience, and evolutionary intelligence.

    As the founder of a treatment-free beekeeping approach rooted in observation and adaptation, Les has helped shape a movement that prioritizes strong, locally adapted bees over chemical dependency. His work emphasizes the importance of natural comb, genetic diversity, and allowing bees to express their innate behaviors as a pathway to long-term colony health.

    Les is also the co-author of Top-Bar Beekeeping and has taught extensively across the United States and internationally, inspiring beekeepers to rethink conventional practices and reconnect with the deeper rhythms of the hive. Through his teaching, writing, and mentorship, he has influenced a generation of beekeepers seeking more sustainable and regenerative approaches.

    At RBA, Les brings a wealth of wisdom, experience, and a deep respect for the relationship between bees, land, and people. He is passionate about supporting beekeepers in cultivating resilient apiaries while contributing to healthier ecosystems and a more balanced future.
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