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Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter June 2005 |
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Greetings from the President of the IHPA Dear Honey Producers: Wind is great for flying kites, but there is just too much of it right now for me. I am tired of being blown places. The honey bees aren’t too keen on it either. It sure doesn’t allow for lots of flights. It keeps some of them cooped up way too much. Well, I guess I’m never satisfied with the weather! I have spent lots of time working with and contacting Representatives and Senators concerning the money that Secretary of Agriculture, Patty Judge requested for the Apiary Program. When the national news did an article about the problem of mites across the country, especially with the almond industry, I decided to contact the key legislators to try one last time to ensure the budget for Sec. Judge would get passed. I contacted 75 legislators just in time for the supposed end of the session. I received answers from 15 of them assuring me that the Honey Bees were important and that the $40,000 would be approved and line itemed in the Ag budget. Now that it is back and forth between them, I hope that the promises are still in place! We will have to wait to see what happens. I hope that they weren’t empty promises. I know how busy everyone is this time of year, but it is time to think about the Iowa State Fair. We need honey products to sell, workers to help sell the products and the lemonade and exhibitors to show off the wonderful honey and beeswax items produced in the state of Iowa. Please consider working in the booth. There are forms found elsewhere in this issue to return for you to help in the booth or to submit bids for products. If you have exhibited items in the past, you will receive the Rules and Regulations Book from the Iowa State Fair entry department. If you are new and would like to exhibit, contact the entry department at (515) 262-3111, extension 207 or send to Entry Department, Iowa State Fair P.O. Box 57130 Des Moines, IA 50317-0003 We had a Southwest Iowa Honey Producers meeting April 29th. We had a good time in Atlantic. Iowa Honey Queen, Teresa Jurchen and the NE Beekeepers President, Glen Day attended with the beekeepers. We had several new members attend to find out information about beekeeping. We, as an industry are growing. It seems that with the Web-site, there is a lot of interest in the world of beekeeping and we are finding out about more of them all the time. The beginning beekeeping classes also helped to get people started in beekeeping. Please encourage neighbors or local club members to join the Iowa Honey Producers Association. When we talk to legislators, find out about grants available or ask for advice, we are always asked how many beekeepers are there in the state. It is necessary to have a total for some of these instances. It makes us more competitive with other agriculture groups if we know the numbers in the state of Iowa. Keep lots of supers handy to put on the colonies. I hope it is going to be a Honey of a Crop this year. Summer is approaching fast, enjoy it. 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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