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Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Dear Honey Producers,

Spring always makes me think of renewal. We see renewal of life in plants and animals, renewal of energy in people, renewal of commitment in organizations by members and renewal of all life around us in general. This leads me to the positive reactions of the aerial applicators that I talked to in March. The group which numbered around 100, seemed interested in working together to make a positive statement concerning safely applying chemicals around honey bees. I talked about the life cycle of the honey bee, what is considered a “yard”, the scouting habits of honey bees, the collecting process, the problem with moving hives when they have honey supers on, etc. Basically, I gave my informational talk to them. Most responded very favorably and asked many questions, even after the session ended. One thing that they would like to see is GPS coordinates for the locations of the bee yards. Andy and the inspectors are working on that aspect. I did tell them that we are working on getting more of the bee yards registered. It makes it look like we don’t even care about the situation of spraying our hives if we don’t register. Andy has tried to make the process as simple as possible. Remember that you can register at any time if the need should arise to relocate the yard. If you have any questions or need help, contact Andy at (515)725-1481 or

andrew.joseph@iowaagriculture.gov Let us renew our commitment to making this the best beekeeping year ever.

It is time to enter bids for the IHPA sales booth at the Iowa State Fair, August 13-23, 2009. Please send in bids to John Johnson by June 30. Please remember that we need the commitment of our members to make the booth happen. Besides bids for products to sell at the fair, we need lots of committed workers. The booth doesn’t just happen. It is hard work on the part of volunteers as well as the booth manager. To volunteer to work a shift or two at the IHPA booth, contact Donna Brahms, to get your name on the day that you prefer. This is the way we pay the bills and provide quality programs for the Iowa Honey Producers Association.

Thanks again to all of the volunteers that worked at the All-Iowa Horticulture Expo held in Ottumwa the first week-end in April. Louise Johnson and I travelled to Ottumwa on Thursday to set up the booth. Phil Ebert, Louise Johnson and Pat Randol provided honey items for sale along with the IHPA apparel. Pat Randol, Louise and I worked the booth on Friday, April 3^rd, but we all had commitments for Saturday. On Saturday, Doris and Vernie Ramsey, Matthew Stewart and Andy Joseph manned the booth. Andy presented a session on Saturday and transported all of the sales items back to Ankeny for the IHPA. Mike Bevins also helped us out. Thanks to everyone. We handed out lots of the new directories, honey queen brochures and information to attendees.

Vernie Ramsey has been presenting to Iowa firemen about honey bee emergencies. His commitment is helping to inform emergency workers what to expect in a honey bee emergency and the correct response needed. Thanks to Vernie we are achieving one of the goals of the IHPA that has been in the works for many years.

Iowa Honey Queen Shiliah Spaulding and I talked to school children in Ida Grove and will again speak in Carroll at Swan Lake. Shiliah has done an outstanding job or representing Iowa beekeepers. If you would like to have Shiliah help with an event, contact Louise Johnson or Shiliah. Thanks for your commitment, Shiliah.

Don’t forget that the IHPA has t-shirts, aprons and women’s tank tops available to advertise honey bees at farmers’ markets, town events, promotions, etc. Order some today.

Soon we will have beautiful trees and flowers in bloom with lots of activity for honey bees as they visit the blooms. Watch colonies for crowded conditions, supply them with honey supers to prevent swarming.

I love the smell in the air of the blooms. Take time to smell the flowers and to count your blessings.

Sincerely,

Donna Brahms, IHPA President

Honey Wheat Bread

4 cups stone ground whole wheat

2/3 cup coarse ground corn meal

1 teaspoon salt

(optional dry ingredients)

1/2 C. Milled Flaxseed

1/2 C. Oatmeal

2/3 cups honey

3/4 cups milk

2 tablespoons canola oil

Yeast Mixture:

2 packets dry yeast

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 1/2 cups warm water (120 degrees)

(Allow yeast to activate and become bubbly.)

2 cups bread flour

(May need less flour if the optional dry ingredients are used.)

In bowl combine whole wheat flour, corn meal, salt and optional dry ingredients if desired. Mix in honey, milk, and oil. Stir in activated yeast mixture. Add white flour 1 cup at a time. Add additional flour as needed until dough is no longer sticky and can be shaped into loafs. Let rise for at least 1 hour or until doubled in size. Divide into equal parts and put into greased pans.

Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 28-30 minutes or until golden brown.