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Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter November 2006 |
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Greetings from the President of the IHPA Dear Honey Producers: We just can’t seem to get away from beekeeping. While on our recent trip to Florida, it amazed us how many references to bees, honey and beekeeping we noticed. As we traveled we crossed several bodies of water with the names of Bee Creek and Honey Creek. Several roadways had the names of Beeline Expressway. We even noticed a motel sign with the name of Honey Tree Inn complete with a honey tree and a bear reaching for the honey. As we left Florida on the turnpike, we were passed by an unusual vehicle. The car had a set of ladders mounted on the top, a toolbox mounted on the back complete with several bee crossing signs and on the back window was printed the website for the business: WillieTheBeeman.com, We specialize in bee removals. Driving through Arkansas we spotted some beekeepers working some hives and drove passed them on the road so I could take a picture. We even saw a town in Arkansas named Bee Range. There were lots of signs in that town concerning bees, the water plant, the school, a café, etc. I even found some beekeeping souvenirs to bring home from the shops or flea markets that we scoured. Speaking of traveling, we also attended the National Honey Board meeting held in Houston, TX. Lots of interesting research, marketing ideas and promotions were discussed. Lee Heine will attend our IHPA Annual Meeting to give us the updates on the National Honey Board. I even survived all the walking with my “bum” foot. The shuttle ride was one I’ll never forget! I know this is the November issue and letter, but if you receive this before the election, please, please go vote. Remember that the best person for the job of Secretary of Agriculture is going to be someone who is going to listen to the entire population of Iowa and is not influenced by “big” money and the larger commodity groups. We need to remember that the honey bee pollinates for everyone and doesn’t pick and choose just the larger operations to help. Please read up on the candidates and place an informed vote. As a note of interest, Denise O’Brien, one of the candidates for Secretary of Agriculture was written about in the New York Times. A copy of the article is included in this issue. It is time for the Iowa Honey Producers Association Annual meeting. Time flies doesn’t it? I hope everyone has reserved a room and sent in the registration fee to attend. There is something for everyone included in the meeting. Place your orders for supplies with the loyal beekeeping suppliers that will attend our meeting. They will bring your orders to the meeting. Those attending will be Draper’s Super Bee, Dadant from Sioux City, B & B Honey and B & L Plastics. There may be more, check with your supplier to see if they will be attending. The photo contest and cooking with honey contest is a great way to share with fellow beekeepers interesting hobbies that you may have besides the actual “hobby” of beekeeping. There are rules listed in another article elsewhere in this issue. Don’t forget to bring any of your homemade Mead to share during the Marshalltown welcome party before the banquet. Bring your auction items to benefit the Iowa Honey Queen program also. There will be silent auctions both days and a live auction during the banquet. Most importantly bring your inquisitive mind to absorb all the information, beekeeping news, workshop ideas and to enjoy the fellowship and ideas presented by your fellow beekeepers in the state of Iowa. A new and very exciting addition to our meeting this year will be the implementation of our new Youth Scholarship program. Coordinator, Teresa Jurchen, has received lots of applications from interested youth. Judges at the meeting will interview the candidates and choose four participants to be sponsored by the IHPA and one youth to be sponsored by the Central Iowa Beekeepers Association. What a great way to get younger beekeepers going in the state. Shawn is to arrive back in the States on October 28th. We are moving his family back to Lawton, OK to be with him. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that his unit doesn’t get an extension of duty in Iraq. We will also get to report at the Annual meeting, November 17th and 18th about our newest grandchild, scheduled to be born on our birthday. We will wait to see how close the due date is. Have a bountiful and truly thankful Thanksgiving holiday with your family. Sincerely,
The Buzz Newsletter Submissions Please send submissions, classified ads, and photos
to Alex W. Ebert by email to TheBuzz@ABuzzAboutBees.com The Buzz is a monthly newsletter published by the Iowa Honey Producers Association which is an affiliate of the Iowa State Horticultural Society. IHPA Membership is only $10 annually. To join IHPA and receive your complimentary member subscription to The Buzz Newsletter, please contact:
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