The Buzz Newsletter

March 2009

 

 

Page 8

Featured Beekeeper of the Month 

This month our featured beekeeper is Patrick Stephenson of Nevada, Iowa. He has one younger sister and his parents are Bernie and Lori Stephenson. Patrick is 13 and in the 7 th grade at Nevada Middle School. He is a science guy, plays trumpet in concert and jazz band, and enjoys athletics and playing sports, fishing and the outdoors.

John Johnson is mentoring Patrick Stephenson in the IHPA Youth Beekeeping Partnership Program. The program provides a great opportunity for youth to experience the exciting world of beekeeping.

John Johnson is mentoring Patrick. Patrick says, “I started beekeeping in April of 08 because I have always liked bees. I can’t really explain why though. I mean an average kid would say, “well they sting you, so I don’t like em!”  Bees have always been my favorite insect. I only have one hive. But it has been a blast. I love keeping those bees!” Patrick enjoys his bees and thinks maybe opening a full hive of bees could be the 8th wonder of the world. He says it’s amazing to see what your bees accomplish.

This year Patrick worked at the Iowa Honey Producers booth at the State Fair and liked answering bee questions. He worked with Greg and Renae Beard who are also in the 2008 youth beekeeper program sponsored by the Iowa Honey Producers. Patrick is looking forward to starting a small business with Greg in the future.

Patrick enjoys his bees and thinks maybe opening a full hive of bees could be the 8th wonder of the world.

Patrick told me one memorable experience of beekeeping was when one day he was checking his hive and little green bug tried to go into the hive. It was in there for a few seconds and then two or three bees came out and were beating the day lights out of this bug. He had heard of this happening but had never seen it and it was cool. Then he dropped an ant in front of the entrance and it went inside and as expected, it was killed. Being a beginner, Patrick thought this was awesome.

Good luck with your bees, hope you have a good winter.

Submitted by Ron Wehr