The Buzz Newsletter

September 2005

 

 

Page 5

Greetings Iowa Beekeepers!

As I am writing this, I am currently caught up in the swirl of activity that always comes with the Iowa State Fair. I have had the chance to work with several of you already, and I am sure I will work with more of you as the fair draws to a close. Thanks goes out to everyone that helped, your hard work makes the Iowa Honey Producers booth the success that it is. Also, I think a HUGE thanks must go out to Donna Brahms, Gordon Powell, and Apiary Superintendent Melanie Bower for all of their long hours put in at the fair. Thanks!

The observation hives are always a big hit at the Honey booth and 2005 Iowa Honey Queen Teresa Jurchen was there to answer questions from the many visitors.

As I am sure you are all aware, September is National Honey Month. I just wanted to remind you to take the time to get out there to promote the product that you so proudly produce. Beekeepers know that honey is the world’s most perfect food, now let’s be sure that the whole world knows it. If there is ANYTHING that I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Since I last wrote, I have been given many wonderful opportunities to represent you across the state. In July, I attended the IHPA Field Day in Ames, spent a day at the Southern Iowa Fair, and visited a Farmers’ Market in down-town Des Moines. I also spent a morning in Ames at the “Iowa Family & Consumer Sciences Educators for Progress” Conference with Steve Hanlin. I was able to speak to many teachers, and gave my contact information to several who are interested in having me or another beekeeper visit their classrooms this fall. In fact, so many were interested, I may need to call upon some local beekeepers to help make some of these visits. It is so exciting to watch people learn about the diverse product we produce!

By the time you read this, I will be back in classes at Iowa State. I am very excited about this, but please don’t hesitate to contact me about any events that you have going on. I would much rather be out promoting Iowa Honey then sitting in lecture any day! As always, you can contact me at tjurchen@iastate.edu or (712) 779-0321.

Until then,
Teresa Jurchen
2005 Iowa Honey Queen

Window displays at the fair are a great way to see a wide variety of bee and honey products. Some even feature equipment from years ago that even seasoned beekeepers may not have seen before.