IHPA/GCB 2021 Beekeeping Conference
Please join the 2021 *Virtual* Beekeeping Conference!
Please join us for the 2021 Virtual Beekeeping Conference hosted by Gilmore City-Bradgate Elementary (GC-B). Many members from the Iowa Honey Producers Association (IHPA) are guest speakers.
We have three tracks for beekeepers to check out topics from a variety of speakers from around the state (and nearby to Iowa) including Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.
Participants must pre-register for topics for morning and afternoon sessions in order to obtain the correct zoom links for specific presentations.
2021 Beekeeping Conference
Participants must pre-register for topics for morning and afternoon sessions in order to obtain the correct zoom links for specific presentations.
Registration will be $30 per household. 50% of registration will go to the Iowa Honey Producers Association and the other 50% will go to the GC-B Honeybee Program.
Please make checks payable to "GC-B."
Mail checks to:
Gilmore City-Bradgate
402 SE E Avenue
Gilmore City, IA 50541
for questions please email Kelsey Wigans, Seed to Table Manager and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, at kwigans@gcb.k12.ia.us or call (515) 373-6124.
Saturday, Feb 20, 2021, 08:00 AM
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Agenda
8:00-8:05 Using Zoom
8:05-8:20 Overview of Conference and Iowa Honey Producers Association
8:20-10:20 Morning Break out Presentations
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
10:20-11:00 Whole group discussion: Inspections/IPHA (Andy Joseph/Roy Kraft)
11:00-12:00 Lunch on your own
12:00-2:00 Afternoon Break out Presentations
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
2:00-2:20 Brainstorming for fundraisers for the IHPA
2:20-2:30 Closing RemarksMorning Beginner Sessions
So you want to be a Beekeeper? What you need to know before you start
2020 Iowa Honey Queen
Have you thought about becoming a beekeeping but are unsure what it all entails? Are you interested in having a couple hives but want to make sure you have what it takes to be a beekeeper? Abigail will share what you need to know before you set up your first hive and what to expect when you do.
Mite Management Information Q&A Panel
Swedish Sponges with oxalic acid and glycerin, oxalic acid crystal with low mineral water and sugar or formic treatments-what will work the best for your operation?! Tune in to find out!!
Terminology, Equipment, Disease and Honey Harvest
Morning Intermediate Sessions
Catching Swarms
The behavior of honey bees swarming has always been an amazing feat of honey bees to disperse into new habitat. Jamie has captured 32 swarms, in just this last year, by many different methods. The techniques will be discussed. He also has recorded swarming swarming behavior on video as they disperse from a hive, then clustering and then entering their new home. Whether it is in a hollow tree or a bait hive that is set up to attract a swarm, these swarm videos are amazing to watch. This is nature at its finest!!
Making Splits and Population Control
Morning Advanced Sessions
An Introduction to Queen Rearing
Join us for a 2 hour introduction to queen rearing. Ellen will explain the basics of selecting breeding stock, preparing a starter colony, preparing a finishing colony, grafting larvae, and monitoring the mating process. Recommended for beekeepers with a minimum of 10 colonies and 3 years of beekeeping experience.
Afternoon Beginner Sessions
IHPA information & State Apiarist Q&A
Get to know the Iowa Honey Producers, how to find a Beekeeping Club, and how to find a mentor. Ask Andy questions about beekeeping. Get to know your state apiarist!
What went wrong? Failures into success stories
Afternoon Intermediate Sessions
Honey and Wax Processing
So your bees have worked hard all season long to produce that beautiful, liquid gold. What next? How do you harvest that honey and then what do you do with all that wax? And how do you do it as a beginner that wont break the bank?
Overwintering in a room
Most people who live in cooler climates tend to leave their honeybees outside, giving them some kind of minimal protection, such as wraps, location, windbreaks or a combination of the methods. In the more northern climates such as in the “Great North of Canada”, many beekeepers bring their bees inside for the winter months to give them the ultimate in protection.
This method of inside over-wintering is carried out at the USDA; ARS facility in Ames. There are certain conditions that assist in guaranteeing a better survival of the bees such as a constant temperature of 42°F and a constant circulation of fresh air throughout the room. The bees are left in these conditions for several months and because they cannot take advantage of those warm days for a “cleansing flight” there is certain preplanning treatments that must be done. The over-wintering of bees inside has its challenges and some years better survival than others. There are also some years that those that over-winter outside look a lot better than us that go inside.
Afternoon Advanced Sessions
Sending your bees to California
Silent Auction!!!
We will be having a LIVE Silent Auction during the conference for this bee-utiful quilt made by Mrs. Kraft!!!
The quilt measures 48 inches by 55 inches
We are Gilmore City-Bradgate Elementary School Garden
Email: kwigans@gcb.k12.ia.us
Website: https://www.gcbschools.org/
Location: 402 Southeast East Avenue, Gilmore City, IA, USA
Phone: 515-373-6124
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gcbschoolgarden
**Sessions and information are subject to change**