The Buzz Newsletter

December 2007

 

 

Page 3

Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Dear Honey Producers,

Another Annual Meeting of the IHPA has come and gone.  I want to thank Pat Ennis for the wonderful job of setting the meeting up and making sure that everything went smoothly.  It takes so many people working together to make this organization work and everyone deserves a pat on the back.  Thanks to the speakers, judges of the contests, the 2007 Iowa Honey Queen, Chelsa Bronnenberg, the Southwest Iowa Honey Queen, Diane Jurchen, registration table people and the officers and directors of the IHPA for making this meeting a memorable one. 

The youth program is in full swing with another class of scholarship winners.  Last year's recipients were presented certificates and full possession of their equipment and honey bees.  Congratulations beekeepers.  This coming year will see another 9 students learning about beekeeping with their mentors.  Thanks to Lee Heine for supplying the packages again this year and Dadant from Sioux City will provide the equipment this year.  Last year equipment was supplied by Draper's.  Thanks for all of the interest in the program.  Another article in the BUZZ  will list all of the students selected and where they are from.

It is always hard to say good bye to a reigning Iowa honey queen.  Chelsa, you did an outstanding job representing the IHPA and we wish you well in your endeavor at the American Honey Queen competition to be held at Sacramento in January. 

During the banquet held on Friday evening, Diane Jurchen, daughter of Jeff and Linda Jurchen of Cumberland was selected as the 2008 Iowa Honey Queen.  Diane is attending classes at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO.  We welcome Diane to the world of Iowa beekeeping. 

The business meeting of the IHPA was moved to Friday afternoon during the convention.  We elected some new officers and district directors.  Thank You to Gordon Powell for being our treasurer all of these years.  We will miss your calculator brain and wonderful smile as treasurer, but will certainly expect to see you at our meetings and at the Iowa State Fair.  Thanks for all that you have done for the IHPA.  Melanie Bower is the new treasurer and we welcome her.  Thanks go out to John Humke and Mike Brahms for past years service to the IHPA.  Most members don't realize what a tremendous job our board does for them.  New District #5 director is Pat Randol and District #6 will be represented by Larry Boernsen. Welcome.

Mike and I attended the Missouri State Beekeepers meeting held in Hannibal, MO for our birthday.  (Note: 2008 Iowa Honey Queen, Diane Jurchen also shares our birthday, November 2nd.)
The speakers were excellent and we really enjoyed the tour of Hannibal by trolley car.  The trees were gorgeous and the weather was great.  Dr. Dewey Caron reported on the CCD research and gave several topics of interest concerning honey bee health. 

We also went to see Bee Movie over the week-end.  Someone had complained that the movie slammed beekeepers, but after viewing the movie, I feel it did a great job of telling the story of pollination.  Remember it is an animated movie.  It has to appeal to children and adults and do it in a non-conventional way.  I thought it was fun and really enjoyed it and it adds to the positive publicity that the beekeeping industry is receiving.  I feel that is a positive push in the right direction. 

Make sure you try some of the great recipes that were used for the cooking with honey contest.  They will add to your festive holiday meals. 

"Bee" Merry and enjoy the Christmas season with your family and friends. Remember that IHPA t-shirts would make a great gift. You might even give a Honey Cookbook or a membership to the IHPA.  Have a wonderful holiday season.
Sincerely,

Donna Brahms, IHPA President

Second Year Selections Made for Youth Scholarship
Program

In late September, I received the applications from young people wishing to become part of the IHPA Youth Scholarship Program.  After careful consideration it was decided that 9 young people would be given interviews at the Annual Meeting in Marshalltown.  The interview process is an especially nervous time for these young aspiring beekeepers.  All of them expressed a desire to become a beekeeper and they all had varying reasons.  Phil Ebert, Lee Heine, Donna Brahms and I were fortunate to get to hear all of the desires of these young people.  There are some very knowledgeable youth learning about honey, bees and beekeeping. During the IHPA banquet, the youth received finalist certificates and were informed that all of them would become the proud owner of beekeeping equipment and a package of honey bees.

The youth are Alex McGuire of West Des Moines, Patrick Stephenson of Nevada, Greg and Renae Beard of Chariton, Levi Bernhard of Algona, Levi Price of Winterset, David Runneals of Nevada, John Reynolds of Wever and Kaylie Strauss of Dunkerton.  Congratulations!  The packages of honey bees will be provided by Lee Heine of Wisconsin for the second year also.  Thank you so much Lee for helping with this valuable program.

Submitted by Mike Brahms