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Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter May 2009 |
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Apiary Department, Iowa State Fair February 2009
Even though it is still winter and the snow has melted for now, it not too early to start thinking about entries in the Apiary Division of the Iowa State Fair as August will be here before you know it. The Fair this year will be from August 13th to August 23rd, 2009. Entries must be in place by noon, Wednesday August 12th, 2009.
I would like to clear up some misunderstanding about the Fair and the Iowa Honey Producers Association as I have heard some comments the last couple of years about the IHPA and items entered in the Fair. There are two parts to the space occupied by the Apiary Department in the Agricultural Building at the Fair. The IHPA has the selling area and the volunteers answer questions that Fair goers may have about beekeeping, honey and honey bees. The entries that are submitted, on the other hand, are under the jurisdiction of the Iowa State Fair. Any decisions that are made about entries are made by a representative of the Fair, whether it is the Iowa State Fair Board, the Director of Competitive Events or the Superintendent of the Apiary Division. The IHPA may be asked for some advice about an entry but the ultimate decision is made by a representative of the Fair. If you have any questions, inquiries or comments concerning an entry, please direct them to the Superintendent of the Apiary Division of the Iowa State Fair.
There are a number of changes in the rules this year. Please read the complete rules and regulations in the IOWA FAMILY LIVING PREMIUM BOOK when it becomes available. Listed below are some of the changes: Exhibitors 18 and younger (as of the day of judging which is August 12th) will be required to enter a Youth class instead of the adult class for the same item. Ex: A youth 18 and younger must enter Class 22-Three 1 lb Queenline Jars of Extracted Honey – Youth Class instead of adult classes 4, 5, 6 and 7. The same criteria will apply to the other two Youth Classes.
For Classes 4, 5, 6 and 7 – There has been some confusion about which color class to place an entry in for the Queenline jars. Jack’s Scale will be used this year to place an entry in the correct color class when it is entered in the Fair. If you place an entry in one of these classes and it is determined, by using Jack’s Scale, that is should be in another class, it will be moved.
Classes 10 and 11 – Plain lids only. Decorated lids will be disqualified.
Class 14 – block of wax must be a plain block of wax without design or added color.
Classes 15, 18 and 19 – entries are to showcase the natural beauty of beeswax so no added color will be allowed.
Class 20 – honey and any beeswax items must be from your apiary but you will be allowed to have one (1) item of honey (example: honey sticks, bundle of 5 or less) that is from another source. It must be identified with the name of the source or the entry will be disqualified. Items that are not honey or beeswax do not have to be a product of the exhibitor.
Class 21 – entry must be prepared and placed by the exhibitor. The exhibitor must do the majority of the work but may have some help with the display. Each window must contain a minimum of 21 items. Honey and beeswax must be from your apiary but you may include up to three (3) honey or beeswax items from another source. Each must be identified with the name of the source it is from or the entry will be disqualified. Items that are not honey or beeswax do not have to be a product of the exhibitor.
If there are any questions about the changes, please call me at 515-287-6542.
Melanie Bower Superintendent, Apiary Division Iowa State Fair
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