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Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter April 2005 |
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Spring Greetings!!! Since I last wrote, I have had the opportunity to represent Iowa’s Beekeepers in some really fun ways. One very early morning was spent in Griswold, Iowa with Donna Brahms visiting with the Optimist Club. All of the members were very welcoming, and they had lots of questions.
I have also been given the chance to spend some time in Des Moines at the State Capitol Building. “Taste of Iowa Day” and “Taste of Southwest Iowa Day” were two events held in the Capitol Rotunda, and both days offered me many opportunities to share the wonders of honey. It is always great to help people understand that honey has so many varieties and is so versatile. These two days also presented opportunities to speak with legislators about the important role that Iowa’s Beekeepers play. In life, we are sometimes presented with new and random ways to show people what we are excited about, and I was given one such opportunity this last month. Every year, there is a cake auction here at Iowa State to raise money for scholarships. Various groups and individuals enter cakes to be judged, and then the cakes are auctioned off, so when I was contacted about making a cake, I was sure it would be a fun experience. I was right, and after about 4 hours of hard work, my bee-shaped creation was born. My best friend said it looked “Bee-u-ti-ful,” so that is the name we used on the entry tag. Even this turned out to be a great promotions opportunity, because when I showed up to enter my cake wearing my crown and sash I was able to talk to about 30 people about how beneficial beekeepers are to agriculture. Please check out my cake in the pictures. Again, I just want to thank those of you that have been helping me all this time, your support and encouragement have made these last few months a priceless experience. Please don’t hesitate to contact me about anything; I would love the chance to help in any way. My phone number is (712) 779-0321, or you can e-mail me at tjurchen@iastate.edu.
I want to follow-up on the Apiary Registration
that was due April 1st. The registration information will be sent
to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) April 30th. One of the benefits
to registering is that you will be included in the 2005 IDALS
Apiary Directory, which is available on the Iowa Department of
Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) website: Applicators of pesticides labeled “toxic to bees” must contact beekeepers whose apiary is located within a 2 mile radius of where they intend to spray at least 24 hours before spraying. Pesticide applicators will utilize this directory to identify the location of your colonies. If you suspect damage to your colonies from direct chemical application or drift, you can contact the IDALS Pesticide Bureau at (515) 281-8590. In regards to the April 23rd CIBA Annual Auction, IDALS will have an inspector on site for inspections the day of the auction. If you have questions regarding the auction inspections, please call IDALS (515) 281-7657. Submitted by Rebecca Ohrtman, IDALS
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