 |
Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter August 2007 |
 |
|
Featured Beekeeper of the Month This month our featured beekeeper is Melvin Runneberg. Melvin and his wife, Dorothy, live in Laurens, Iowa and began beekeeping in 1975 when their son, David, wanted to get bees for 4-H. David apprenticed with several experienced beekeepers and he and Melvin acquired 13 colonies from an older beekeeper that died. Of course the project grew and when David was a senior they had 47 colonies. After David entered college Melvin continued the business. He says the size of the business varies but he has kept it hobby size of about 10 colonies each year.
Melvin with two colonies from 2006. These colonies produced nearly 200lbs. of honey each! Melvin sells mostly extracted honey and some comb honey from his home, through the local grocery store, and through the Palo Alto County Nature Center where he volunteers. Melvin says it’s relaxing to watch the bees it’s satisfying and a good retirement entertainment. He enjoys sharing bee stories and the honey and has mentored several others in beekeeping. About future plans Melvin says, “At 82 years of age, I may quit pretty soon.” Melvin is a member of the Northwest Iowa Beekeepers Association. The group consists of about 25 families and meets 5 times a year with no set schedule. Their current chairman is Jeff Triplett of Sutherland, Iowa. They have speakers and participate in the Clay County Fair booth selling honey products from members, display two observation hives, and share knowledge.
Melvin had an excellent crop in 2006 yielding an average of 145lbs. per colony. Melvin says he gets frequent calls from younger beekeepers with questions about puzzling situations. He shares ordering package bees and saves transportation by having a point of pick up and delivery. He has sold cappings to candle making members and sent quantities of honey sticks from member Jeannie Rust of Webb to Iraq. The sticks are packaged in bundles of 50. The army fellows like them because they can carry sticks in their pockets and squeeze honey on crackers, peanut butter, and oatmeal. Thanks for your story Melvin. The honey stick idea is a good one. Submitted by Ron Wehr
|
|
|
 |