The Buzz Newsletter

May 2010

 

 

Page 3

Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Dear Honey Producers,

Another month is gone by the wayside.  The days, months and years just seem to quickly march past.  At least the weather seems to be improving.  I realized last week just how much I look forward to spring which brings warmer weather, more sunshine and the beauty of our surroundings as nature recovers from an especially harsh winter.  Now, the continual work begins.  There is always so much to get accomplished, meetings to attend and spring work to get done before the seasons change again and require a different list of jobs.

Our honey bees didn’t fare very well over the winter.  I have heard from others that their losses were not as bad as they imagined and others lost most of their colonies.  It is spring, a time to pick ourselves up and start anew.   Please try to get your colonies registered so you are protected against spraying mishaps.  Talk to your neighbors to remind them that you have honey bees and caution is needed to protect them.  We need to be proactive and friendly when approaching friends and neighbors.  Gently remind them of the importance of honey bees to the food chain.  Kill them with kindness and understanding.  Maybe we can gain some ground with that approach.

Each month as I write this column, I hesitate to include certain things over and over.  The repetition becomes monotonous and then people don’t pay attention to any announcements or suggestions.  This month I realized that not all of us have heard the same things.  We are getting new members all the time.  Since we moved last summer, even though it was only about 20 miles, I have been attending some different organization meetings.  I realized sitting at one last week that I didn’t have the slightest notion of what they were talking about.  It was before we moved and I wasn’t aware of the topic of conversation.  I felt out of place.  So if I talk about things over and over, please excuse me, I am trying to make our new members feel like they are part of our organization and give them some information.  Maybe we all need a reminder now and then anyway.

I have gotten a few emails about members wishing to work at the Iowa State Fair in our IHPA booth.  If you know that you will be able to help, but are not sure of the time or date yet, please let me know anyway.  I can make a list and it will be more convenient to contact you closer to the event.  Please let me know if you will NOT be able to help this year.  That way I don’t have to continue to contact you and bother you.  The Iowa State Fair will be held on August 12-22 this year.  Don’t forget to get your paperwork completed for the exhibit portion of the display.  If you have any questions, please contact Melanie Bower about the exhibits.  We sure hope to fill all of the display areas.  The theme of the Agriculture Building this year is, “Ask a Farmer”.  We are always getting questions, so it won’t be unusual for us to help people get their questions answered.  We also would like volunteers to help fill the stage presentations which will also answer questions to fairgoers.  Let a board member know if you would like to help in this capacity also.  If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact someone. We are elected to help the IHPA members and that includes answering your questions and listening to problems or ideas.

Don’t forget to submit ideas for the IHPA 100 th Anniversary slated for 2012.  We are working on ideas now and if you have one, please let us know.  Get your design ideas for promotional items to me by August 1st so we can have a display of them at the Iowa State Fair.  Fairgoers will be able to vote on them.  You could win $100 for your effort.

Submit bid sheets to John Johnson for items to be sold at the state fair in the IHPA sales booth.  The bid sheet is enclosed in this issue.  We sell lots of items, so don’t hesitate to submit a bid.  The rules and information is included on the bid sheet itself.  We want to showcase Iowa honey and beeswax products.

Don’t work too hard getting all of your spring chores finished.  Stop to smell the many flowering trees and bushes.  Enjoy the sunshine while working outside.  Give your family a little more attention and spend some time with them.  Bee Happy!

Sincerely,

Donna Brahms, IHPA President

IHPA Art Contest

The Iowa Honey Producers Association board would like to announce an art design contest to the entire membership.  Someone in the organization could win $100 for the winning design that will “bee” used for memorabilia to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Iowa Beekeeping. The Iowa Beekeeping group was established in 1912 making it 100 years in 2012.

The winning entry could be used for print material, bumper stickers, belt buckles, ball caps, bolo ties, etc.  Please submit your entries by August 1st, 2010 to Donna Brahms.  We will have the design on display during the Iowa State Fair.  Fairgoers will get a chance to vote on their favorite design August 12-22 while the 2010 Iowa State Fair is being held. Put your artistic thinking cap on and submit that winning design.