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Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter February 2005 |
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Greetings from the President of the IHPA Dear Honey Producers, We can tell it is winter now. Lots of snow and cold. Let’s hope the wings on the honey bees don’t give out with all the fanning to keep the hive warm. Check your hives for weight when you can. A lot of colonies are lost this time of year due to starvation. The hive needs food whether it is honey, a sugar water syrup or corn syrup. Put in those feeders if the weather permits and keep a close watch on the hives. You may also want to add a pollen substitute for your bees. Have you ordered packages or queens yet? Better get on it right away if you haven’t. Check the magazines and the BUZZ for ads. If you need assistance, contact a board member for ideas or help. Check the back of the BUZZ for addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The prices and availability of queens and packages are a mystery about now. The weather in California is affecting the prices and quantities. We really appreciate the membership contacting legislative members on behalf of the IHPA. I have received several e-mails with comments that the representatives have told our members when they received the personal phone calls, letters or e-mails. Many contacts make us noticed. Please, if you haven’t had the time to contact your area representative or senator, do so today. You can find out the e-mail address for your senator or legislator at Iowa General Assembly on the internet. The lists are categorized by county, name or district. Please help us get the funding for the Agriculture department so that there will be some help from IDALS for inspections and apiary concerns. Thank you to Maria Zuber and Regina Jager for braving all the snow in Reno, Nevada by attending the American Beekeeping Federation meeting for the American Honey Queen contest. I know that you both had a great time and thanks for representing Iowa and the IHPA so well. It is time to make sure that your membership to the IHPA is current. If you need to renew, please send your payment to Gordon Powell, IHPA treasurer. His address is listed on the back page of the BUZZ. Encourage your neighboring beekeepers to join if they are not a member. We will be printing a new directory this year. It would be great if we could have a complete directory of all beekeepers in Iowa. If you don’t want to be a part of this directory, please contact a board member. “Bee” sweet to your self and your family this Valentine’s Day and all throughout the month. Enjoy a sweet honey treat and spend some quality time with your loved ones. 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 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:
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