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Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter November 2004 |
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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF
PATTY JUDGE Apiary Inspection Program Summary of Activities On April 19, 2004 the Iowa Honey Producers Association (IHPA) and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The title of the agreement is: The Beehive Inspection Program. This agreement was specifically for the objective of inspecting beehives in the state of Iowa. The agreement specified the IDALS would provide administrative support for the beehive inspection program. The agreement further specified the IHPA would contribute $10,000 to the IDALS beehive inspection program. These funds were utilized to reimburse inspectors for time and travel expenses associated with beehive inspection. IDALS has kept an accounting of the payroll deductions, timesheets, and travel expenses of the four inspectors. Thus far, additional in-kind staff time of Jim Ellerhoff (IDALS), Chuck Eckerman (IDALS), Steve Pedersen (IDALS), Maury Wills (IDALS), Rita Bartlett (IDALS), Mary Nieland (IDALS), and Becky Ohrtman (IDALS), have contributed to the program in the areas of accounting services, mapping of sensitive areas, administrative services, Section 18 application, documentation of accounts, inventory of supplies, general phone/mail requests concerning the program in addition to space and equipment. The MOU agreement period is: April 15, 2004 – November 1, 2004. This 2004 Annual Report will serve as the final report for the 2004 program. On 9/28/04 Gordon Powell, Treasurer of the IHPA, submitted a check to IDALS for the amount agreed upon in the MOU agreement. IDALS provided funding assistance acquired from the remaining 2002 Specialty Crops Grant. At the time of this report, total salary distribution for the four inspectors is $13,675.40. The total travel distribution is $9,969.54. This equals a grand total of $23,644.94 expended for the 2004 program. At this time, we are anticipating a few more hours for inspection of those hives exiting the state and requiring an exit inspection. William Eickholt, worked very diligently to inspect hives from April – October. The IDALS appreciates the inspector’s dedication to the program and work ethic. Bill has an accumulation of 706 hours thus far. Phil Meyer’s accumulated 36 hours, Boyd Palmer accumulated 64 hours, and Michael O’Hearn accumulated 80 hours for the season. At this time, there is a total of 355 inspections, with Bill completing 292, Phil completing 8, Boyd completing 13 and Mike completing 42. Bill covered a large area of the state and conducted an exceptional number of inspections with limited funding. In regards to the inventory of supplies, it has been investigated and is recorded to whom, what apiary items have been checked out to. At this point, there are several items still needing recovered. A letter was deployed to all inspectors requesting assistance in locating items so that an accurate inventory could be completed and the items could be stored for the winter. At the time of this report, four educational videos, two books, and one set of expired gloves were inventoried. Phil Meyer has indicated that he plans to replace the refractometer he had checked out and at this point in time, he cannot locate. He has indicated he will order the item and replace the refractometer to IDALS. The Agricultural Diversification and Market Development Bureau submitted a decision package requesting $40,000 to fund on an annual basis, the beehive inspection program. Further, the IDALS budget proposal would need to be passed in order for this decision package to be awarded to the bureau. Submitted by Press Release September 29, 2004 (Washington D. C.) Secretary of Agriculture Ann M Veneman appointed 21 members to the National Honey Nominations Committee. The Committee nominates individuals for appointment to the National Honey Board. “I am pleased that these individuals have agreed to lend their expertise and time on this board,” said Veneman. Newly appointed member from Iowa whose term begins immediately and ends June 30, 2007 is Donna Brahms of Cumberland. The Honey Board administers and industry-funded national research, promotion, consumer information program to increase honey consumption in the United States and abroad. USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service monitors the operations of the National Honey Board who is dedicated to increasing the demand for honey and honey products in the marketplace. For further information, contact: Tina Tindall, www.nhb.org Spreading the Word Ellie Johnson, granddaughter of Bev and Gordon Powell, recently participated in making a beekeeping video for the Polk County Conservation Board. Ellie was the featured beekeeper in the video. A cameraman from IPTV did the filming. The Conservation Board plans to use the video in some of there programs. Thanks Ellie for helping us get some good contact with the public!
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