Sunday, January 15, 2017

2017 Representatives Crowned in Galveston

The new American Honey Queen and Princess were selected at the 2017 American Beekeeping Federation Convention in Galveston, Texas.

2017 American Honey Queen
Maia Jaycox from Iowa

2017 American Honey Princess
Hope Pettibon from Texas

Congratulations ladies! They will travel the United States promoting honey and beekeeping and post interesting articles about bees and honey along the way. Keep an eye out for the sweetest representatives in America!
2017 American Honey Queen Maia Jaycox & 2017 American Honey Princess Hope Pettibon

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Keeping Busy in the Winter



Winter can be a slow time for the beekeeper. This time can be utilized for a few different endeavors, the first being education. Especially for beekeepers that are approaching their first or second year of beekeeping, attending education courses can be extremely beneficial. These courses will provide them with a basic foundation of knowledge to help prepare them for their adventure in beekeeping. It is also a way to meet more experienced beekeepers that can be called upon in a time a need or for mentorship.


University of Minnesota Beekeeping in Northern Climates (February):

University of Florida Bee College (March & August):

University of Wyoming Extension Bee College (March):
 
Full house at University of Minnesota beekeeping class


Another way to engage with fellow beekeepers is attending meetings for local, state, and national organizations. These meetings or conventions typically offer breakout sessions to share information with one another or discuss current issues. Many sessions are also held during summer and fall.

American Beekeeping Federation Conference & Tradeshow (January):

Eastern Apicultural Society Conference (July):

Western Apicultural Society Conference (October):
Dr. Marla Spivak speaks at ABF Conference

Winter is also a great time to take care of any woodenware repairs or build new hives for the coming year. If a beekeeper is just getting started in their first year, assembling hives and reading up on beekeeping knowledge can be a fun way to spend a weekend. Regardless of how the beekeeper chooses to spend their winter season, they are certainly in for an adventure!