The Buzz Newsletter

January 2005

 

 

Page 1

Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Happy New Year Iowa Honey Producers!

I just can’t believe that it is another year already. I know everyone says it, but every year seems to go by faster than the last. I honestly don’t know where the time has gone.

Let’s have a wonderful new year. We have several things that need the help of the entire membership. One is to contact your Iowa Senator or Representative on behalf of the IHPA. If we put enough pressure on them, maybe the entire budget for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will be awarded and then money will be used to help the Apiary Department re-establish itself. We will all have to work hard and be persuasive. I have information for you to use. If you would like a copy, please contact me by mail, phone or e-mail and I’ll get it to you. I had to update some of the facts, but it is ready now. If you signed the sheets that were circulated at the business meeting

Another item is to make yourself and your business known to your area. The more positive publicity that we can generate and the more we showcase our beekeeping businesses the more likely we can get funding. It will take a concentrated effort by all.

The officers and board of directors received a letter from a visiting beekeeper that just happened to be in Marshalltown during our annual meeting. This professor from Minnesota did not give us a return address so that we could correspond. Many positive comments were given about our meeting agenda and the fine speakers that we had. Several ideas to help sustain our program were given and we would like to follow up with this, but we don’t have the address or telephone number. If any IHPA member happened to speak with this professor or has any more information, please contact a board member so we can make contact.

January is the time to decide if you are going to purchase packages of bees or if you need to order queens to split your hives. Start going through magazines for suppliers or talk to the supplier that you have used before. Remember that several beekeepers can go together to get a better deal in some instances. Check the ads in the BUZZ for local beekeepers that will provide queens, nucs or packages. Winter is also the time to work on any equipment that needs to be repaired or replaced. Don’t put it off too long. The winter will go fast.

January is also the time to check out catalogs for any new supplies such as candle making equipment. If you don’t use your wax, now is the time to add beeswax items to your business. If you need any pointers or tips on working with wax, contact an officer or board member. We can give you some ideas and suggestions.

Enjoy the winter season and get caught up on your reading. We always have a little more time in the winter and I have “several” issues of beekeeping magazines and books to read.

Settle down with a cup of tea and honey, a good magazine and a warm fire in the fireplace to watch the wind blow. I am sure that the snow is going to fly and pay us a visit sometime this winter.

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.

Gordon Powell, IHPA Treasurer

4012 54th St.

Des Moines, IA 50310

Phone : (515) 278-1762