The Buzz Newsletter

June 2005

 

 

Page 5

Master Beekeeper Scholarships Awarded

Scholarships have been awarded by the IHPA to Craig Bradke and Gale Urquhart to attend the Master Beekeeper Course. The course is run by Marion Ellis at the University of Nebraska Research Station in Mead, NE from June 23rd – 25th.

Here is a little bit of information about Craig and Gale and their interest in beekeeping.

Craig Bradke

I have been keeping bees for about 6 years. I have attended the 8 week beginner workshop taught by our past State Apiarist ( Bob Cox ). I have been mentored by John Johnson and I am a current member of the IHPA. I keep about 10 hives and find this hobby very rewarding.

Craig lives in Ogden, IA and is looking forward to attending the program to expand his knowledge.

Gale Urquhart

My life with the honey bee started in 2003 when my wife and I decided to go to the Iowa State Fair. We of course found our way to the butter cow and decided to look around. We came across the Iowa Honey bee Producers booth and was fascinated with what we saw as well as the information the helpful staff there were able to give us about the honey they were displaying. It just all seemed fascinating and intriguing and of course the staff added some humor which even made it an even better experience. I guess I had asked enough questions that it was recommended that I take a beginning beekeeping class to see if I would have interest in being a beekeeper.

I picked up my first nuc in May of 2004, how exciting! I watched them like a hawk. I was in the hive so much I think they though I was on e of them. Then one day one decided to sting me, oh boy was that a surprise. I swelled up like a pumpkin, my arm clear up to my chest was swollen and itched. Oh my gulley did I itch. “Doctor said I would not die” so I don’t have to burn the hive after all. Well at this point I’m thinking that they know I’m not one of them.

My dear Connie is joining me this year with my bee adventures. Although she does not care for honey, she was able to find a queen, is that a partner or what? She has also been stung and she helps me anyway so we have invested in some protective wear for her as well. This could be our year to harvest some honey, although I’m not real happy with the weather that Mother Nature has given us so far.

We had the opportunity to visit another couple beekeepers enterprises, Tom and Pat Randol and Phil Ebert’s. Tom and Pat showed us how they get ready to queen hives, nice setup Tom and Pat. Pat and Connie were talking about making hand cream, lip balm, candles, etc. Pat has shared a book and a couple of bee movies with me which have proven to be very helpful. Phil gave Connie and I a tour of his facilities and we go to meet two of Phil’s boys. After experiencing these two different setups I would encourage everyone to take a look at what someone else has to get ideas.

I would like to thank every member of the Iowa Honey Producers for paying their dues which has given me this opportunity to go to Mead Nebraska for the Master Beekeepers class. I promise I will not waste your funds.

Thanks again to every beekeeper I’ve ever met and the knowledge they have shared preparing me for this opportunity. I had a wise man once tell me that everything you hear, or read about bees will work; the question is will it work for you and your style of beekeeping.

Gale Urquhart

Thanks to all who applied for the scholarships.

 

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