The Buzz Newsletter

February 2007

 

 

Page 3

Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Dear Honey Producers,

We are ready to start the shortest month of the year, February. Even though it has only twenty-eight days it has numerous holidays. Ground Hog Day predicts the amount of winter left for us to either enjoy or dread. President’s Day combines birthdays of United States Presidents, Lincoln and Washington. Don’t forget to “Bee” a Valentine. We also have two grandsons with February birthdays. Even though February is short on days, it has lots of opportunities to celebrate. Ash Wednesday is also in February this year. By now you are wondering where this is going. Our honey bees need our attention in February also. Check the weight of the hives. If they are light, feed them. The weather was mild most of the winter, so most likely the honey that was stored has been used up. This is the time of year to lose those colonies. There is no where for the bees themselves to obtain the nourishment that they so desperately need. No pollen or nectar is available yet. Do your colonies a favor and watch them closely. Provide what they can not get for themselves. There are several new pollen products available. A new sucrose syrup, number 75 available also. The honey bees really go for it. Inverted sugar from bakeries is also available. Do some research and select the best feed for your situation. Ask around if you would like references or suggestions.

• I’ve got some tips for February (some of these were borrowed from The Bee Buzzer, NE Kansas Beekeepers’ Association, Thanks, Joli!)
• As the seed and plant catalogs arrive, dream about next year’s honey crop and the bee garden you’ve wanted to start.
• Plan to keep better bee records for 2007.
• Read at least one beekeeping book, old or new, this month.
• Repair your beekeeping equipment.
• Order new equipment that you need.
• Renew your membership to the IHPA.
• Join a local beekeeping club.
• Submit a photo for THE BUZZ .
• Order queens for Spring shipment.
• Order package bees for Spring shipment.
• Consider writing an article for THE BUZZ .
• Subscribe to a beekeeping magazine .

Sort through your equipment to see if you have any extra items lying around. The Central Iowa
Beekeepers are having their annual auction in Des Moines at Harry Hunter’s place on Saturday April 21st. Consignments are due by March 24. Contact Margaret Hala for information, (641) 752-2981 or mhala@marshallnet.com .

The IHPA is your organization. We always invite members to join in the decision making by becoming members of the different committees within the association. Please volunteer to help make this organization even greater. We welcome new ideas and suggestions. Contact a board member or officer if you wish to help. A list of committees and the chairs for that committee will be listed in another article for your convenience. “Bee a Sweetheart” this month. Send in an article, photo, recipe or an idea to THE BUZZ.

Sincerely,
Donna Brahms, IHPA President

Cookie Pizza

½ cup Iowa Honey
¼ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup shortening
1 egg
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
½ tsp. salt
1 cup peanut butter chips
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped nuts

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 12-inch round deep-dish pizza pan or a 9X13-inch baking pan. Mix the first 7 ingredients until well blended. Stir in peanut butter chips, chocolate chips and nuts. Dough will be sticky. Spread dough in prepared pan to within ½ inch of edges. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve as is, or frost and decorate, or drizzle with Chocolate Drizzle (below).

Chocolate Drizzle

¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 ½ tsp. Shortening
Microwave the two ingredients for about one minute. Mix well until
Chips are melted.

Submitted by Donna Brahms