The Buzz Newsletter

August 2008

 

 

Page 3

Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Dear Honey Producers,

How are your bees doing?  That seems to be a never-ending question around the country.  I get an average of 5-10 inquiries each market that I attend.  Yes, we still have honey bees and yes, the honey bee problem is still very much a concern.  Most of the people seem to think that everyone's bees are just disappearing and we aren't getting any new ones.  If you are asked questions, please give the best answer that you can give to them.  They will only hear what they expect to hear, not necessarily what you just told them.  Most of them have a preconceived notion and no matter how long you talk with them, they won't go away with the "facts".  They have heard so much wrong information or incomplete information through the media that it is hard to get the correct information out to the public.  That is where we beekeepers come in.  Please let them know that they can get answers from you, from the IHPA officers and board, from our website and from our state apiaist, Andy Joseph.  Keep a copy of the BUZZ with you so that you can give out numbers or just take the time to discuss the "situation" with them.  The media only prints what they think you said to them.  They don't let us "proof" the articles so misinformation is sometimes presented through no fault of the interviewee.  I am always being mis-quoted or they interpret what is said differently.  At least we are getting press!!

As of the time that I am writing this article, I have so many open time slots for the fair that I am starting to be concerned.  I know that most of the time we have the number of volunteers needed, but this is keeping me awake nights.  When you read this the State Fair will likely be over and we will have filled each shift with willing volunteers, but getting ready for this event is mind-boggling.  Hope you enjoy(ed) your visit to our IHPA sales booth and were able to view the apiary exhibits on display.  The IHPA also sponsors the Cooking with Honey contest and the homebrew Mead contest.  This year the IHPA also presented an informational talk each day at 2:00 p.m. for fairgoers and the honey queen committee and Iowa Honey Queen, Diane, were present to do educational talks in the Ag. building.  The IDALS department had a special promotion during the fair concerning honey bees and gave out coupons for free honey sticks to fair attendees.  Thank you to all of the volunteers because the IHPA couldn't do it without YOU.

If you have a fall event and would like Diane, the Iowa Honey Queen to help you with it, please give her a call.  Remember that she will be heading back to college in Maryville, so give her a call as quickly as you can so she can work it into her schedule.  To contact her call (712) 779-0540.

We have had some requests to include helpful hints about what should be done each month during the beekeeping year.  If you already know, please don't think that we are just catering to new beekeepers, but we need to give information to each segment of the industry and we are getting a lot of new beekeepers.  There will be some articles concerning this and if you would like to contribute to your newsletter, please do so.  You just might have the most successful way of doing things and each of us can learn a new thing or two.  Beekeeping is a unique way of life.  Just as the honey bees do their own thing, each beekeeper might do things differently than your neighbor.  These will just be suggestions.

If you know of a young person that is interested in beekeeping and is not from a beekeeping family let them know about our youth scholarship program.  The entry forms are available from our web-site: ABuzzAboutBees.com or contact Mike Brahms for more information at (712) 774-5878. 

Hope you are experiencing a wonderful honey crop and are finding time to extract it.  Our area has been extremely good this year.  As usual there are yards that are doing better than others, but overall our crop is looking to be really good.

Have a warm, wonderful August.  Enjoy the last few days of get- away time before school starts and take time to watch the honey bees as they fly from flower to flower.  In other words, find time to relax and enjoy life.
Sincerely,

Donna Brahms, IHPA President

Youth Scholarship
Applications are available now.

If you know of a youth who would like to become a beekeeper, please have them get an application from our website, ABuzzAboutBees.com, or by contacting the Youth Scholarship Chairman, Mike Brahms at (712) 774-5878.

The requirements are:

· Be a youth between the ages of 12 and 17.
· Be from a non beekeeping family.
· Send in the completed application by September 15th to:
Mike Brahms
65071 720th Street
Cumberland, IA  50843

We had several of our current and past youth beekeepers and their families work the sales booth at the Iowa State Fair. All of the current youth scholarship winners are doing great and the mentors are reporting that they are becoming quite proficient in beekeeping.