The Buzz Newsletter

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Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Dear Honey Producers:
Another Holiday Season is upon us. Time sure seems to move quickly. I have some suggestions for some holiday gifts. Each year at the Iowa State Fair, I see the Heifer International booth. I have seen their catalog and magazine before and have helped put up an informational display for beekeeping through one of the local chapters, but I have never followed through with any commitment to help. I think a great gift for the person who has many things would be to give the gift of bees for a mere $30.00 to promote beekeeping in Tanzania. The organization promotes living by learning. Beekeeping is one of the ways to provide a living in many underdeveloped countries. Check out the web-site at www.heifer.org or phone (800) 698-2511. What a great gift.

Another holiday suggestion might be a subscription to THE IOWA HORTICULTURIST. The IHPA is a member of the Iowa Horticulture Society. We are listed on their web-site and are sometimes featured in the magazine. Their web-site is www.iowahort.org. Another great gift for the gardener in all of us.

The meeting of the American Honey Producers Association will be held January 10th-14th In Houston, TX. For information write to AHPA, PO Box 158, Power, MT 59468. I have registration forms if you are interested.

The American Beekeeping Federation will hold their meeting in Louisville, KY on January 11th-14th. For information look up their web-site www.ABFnet.org

Mike and I usually attend the Mead Fest held in Boulder, CO each year. Mead Fest is an International competition for Commercial Meaderies. This year a “home” mead contest is being added. I know that making mead has become more popular and we have received several questions about making mead. Just wanted to share with you a unique experience being held on Feb. 10th and 11th. You can find out more information by checking out the web-site www.meadfest.com. It would make a great Valentine’s Day week-end.

The IHPA has been invited to attend a joint spring meeting of the Kansas Honey Producers and the Missouri State Beekeepers. The meeting will be held in Overland Park, KS on March 3rd and 4th. The beekeepers in Nebraska, Arkansas and Oklahoma are also being invited. Mike and I are members of the Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska beekeepers and have attended several meetings. I think it will be a great meeting. More information is included elsewhere in the BUZZ. Keep the dates in mind.

Hope everyone enjoyed the Annual Meeting. There is so much information passed around at that meeting. It is just great to go talk with one another, find out what each other is doing with their bees and just have a great time. Congratulations to the contest and award winners. If you weren’t able to attend, try to attend next year.

We had an interesting fall didn’t we? If the beekeeping didn’t get done in the nice weather, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We can’t blame the weatherman. It is just too bad that we haven’t had more rain. It is certainly needed. The above average temperatures have surely confused the honey bees. Check them to make sure there is enough food for them when it does get cold. Have a Wonderfully Sweet, Family-filled Holiday.

Sincerely,
Donna Brahms, IHPA President

The Buzz Newsletter Submissions

Please send submissions, classified ads, and photos to Alex W. Ebert by email to TheBuzz@ABuzzAboutBees.com
or by mail to The Buzz, c/o Phil Ebert, 14808 S. 102nd Ave. E., Lynnville, IA 50153.
The deadline for submissions to The Buzz is the 15th of each month.

The Buzz is a monthly newsletter published by the Iowa Honey Producers Association which is an affiliate of the Iowa State Horticultural Society. IHPA Membership is only $10 annually. To join IHPA and receive your complimentary member subscription to The Buzz Newsletter, please contact:

Gordon Powell, IHPA Treasurer

4012 54th St.

Des Moines, IA 50310

Phone : (515) 278-1762