Courses for Beginning and Advanced Beekeepers Scheduled Across the State

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

For Immediate Release: Monday, January 28, 2019

Courses for Beginning and Advanced Beekeepers Scheduled Across the State

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today encouraged Iowans interested in beekeeping to consider enrolling in one of the 38 beekeeping schools that will be held around the state in 2019. The courses are for both the beginner and advanced beekeeper.

“A great variety of beekeeping courses are available across the state, making beekeeping even more accessible to Iowans. Honeybees are an important and growing agricultural industry in Iowa, and it’s positive to see the increasing interest from farmers and landowners,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

Early enrollment for many of these courses is important so courses can meet minimum enrollment numbers. Fees will vary by location. For more information, please refer to the IHPA website and online monthly newsletter at www.abuzzaboutbees.com or contact Andrew Joseph, State Apiarist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, at (515) 725-1481 or andrew.joseph@iowaagriculture.gov.

Please note that not all of these courses are sponsored by the Iowa Honey Producers Association, and the information presented by the instructors is not necessarily endorsed by the IHPA. Additionally, none of the courses are sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship and the information presented by the instructors is not necessarily endorsed by the Department.

There are currently about 4,500 beekeepers in Iowa that manage more than 45,000 colonies of honey bees. These honey bees produce about 4 million pounds of honey annually, valued at over $8 million. Honey bees are also responsible for the pollination of many Iowa crops. Field and horticultural crops, home gardens and plants eaten by wildlife are dependent on bee pollination for the production of their fruits, nuts and seeds. The economic value of honey bees as crop pollinators in Iowa has been estimated at $92 million annually.

A list of 2019 course locations and details follows here:

City & Time	Start Date	Course Length	Meeting Location	Contact to Register	Fee
Adel Beekeeping Basics 5:30-7:30 pm	TBD	Tuesday Evening	ISU Extension & Outreach 28059 Fairground Rd Adel	To register: Aleta Cochran, 515-993-4281 aleta@iastate.edu Instructor: Zack Koopman	TBD
Ankeny Beginning Beekeeping 6-8 pm	Jan 24 – Feb 28	Thursday evenings for 6 weeks	Iowa Lab Facility, DMACC Campus, Ankeny, DCI Conference Room	To register: Andrew Joseph: 515-326-5765 (call or text) Andrew.Joseph@ IowaAgriculture.gov 2230 S. Ankeny Blvd Ankeny, IA 50023	$35 Includes book and handouts
Albia Beginning Beekeeping 6:30 – 8 pm	Jan 18 – March 8	Friday evenings for 8 weeks	Monroe Co. Extension Office 219 B Ave. West Albia, IA 52531	To register: Jerry Weldon @ 641-891-4071 0r Sheila @ 641-891-2268 Or email: weldonjs@windstream.net	$45 per household (includes book, handouts & field day)
Altoona Beginning Beekeeping 6-8 pm	Jan 14 – Feb 18	Monday evenings for 5 weeks	Altoona Public Library 700 8th St SW Altoona, IA 50009	To register: https://Altoona.libcal.com/eve nt/4224921 Instructor: Ellen Bell	Class is free, $8 for book
Boone Beekeeping Basics 6-8 pm	Dec 7, 2018 One day, 2 hour class	Friday evening	ISU extension & Outreach 1327 SE Marshall St, Boone	To register: Alex Merk @ 515-432-3882 / alexmark@iastate.edu Instructor: Zack Koopman	Free
Calmar Beginning Beekeeping 6-9 pm	Feb 5 - March 12	Tuesday evenings for 5 weeks	1625 Hwy 150 S Wilder Bus. Center	To register: NICC Continuing Education: 563-557-8271, ext 380 Instructor: Bill & Louise Johnson	$50
Cedar Rapids Beginning Beekeeping 9-11 am & 11:30-1:30 pm	Jan 11 - Oct. 11 2 time slots to choose	4 Fridays for lecture 3 Saturdays for field days	Indian Creek Nature Center 5300 Otis Rd SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403	To register: 319-362-0664 or more information: http://indiancreeknaturecenter.org /public-programs/beekeeping/	Member: $90 Non Member: $100
Coralville 5:30 - 8:30 pm	Feb 5,12, & 19	Tuesdays	Coralville Library	To register: Contact Ed St John @ 319-491-4343 or esj178@gmail.com	Free
Council Bluffs Class info for 2019 TBD	April – May TBD	Saturday mornings for 3 weeks	IA Western Comm. College @ Looft Hall	To register: 712-325-3252 (Holly) Iowa Western Comm. College 2700 College Rd Council Bluffs, IA 51502	$59
Davenport 6-8 pm	Feb 21 – March 28	Thursday Evenings for 6 weeks	Nahant Marsh Education Center thru Eastern Iowa Community College	To register: 563-441-4100 Course # 2905 4220 S Wapello Ave Davenport, IA 52802 Instructor: Phil Crandall	$95 (includes text book)
Des Moines Beginning Beekeeping 101 7-9 pm	Jan 22 – Feb 26	Tuesday evenings for 5 weeks	Des Moines Community Ed, Merrill Middle School 5301 Grand Ave Room 118	To register or more info: https://dmps.revtrak.net/Comm unity-Ed-Classes/#/list Search for Beekeeping in the Home and Garden section Instructor: Julia McGuire	$60 per student + Book $10
Des Moines Advanced Beekeeping 201 7-9 pm	Jan 23 – Feb 27	Wed evenings for 5 weeks	Des Moines Community Ed, Merrill Middle School 5301 Grand Ave Room 118	To register or more info: https://dmps.revtrak.net/Comm unity-Ed-Classes/#/list search for Beekeeping in the Home and Garden section Instructor: Julia McGuire	$60

Fairfield Beginning Beekeeping 6-8 pm	March TBD	Thursday evenings for 4 weeks	Jefferson Co. Extension Office	Coleen @ 641-472-4166 2606 W Burlington Ave Fairfield, IA 52556 Instructor: Vern Ramsey	$5
Indianola (FBI Club) Beginning Beekeeping 6:30 - 8:30 pm	Jan 24 – March 7	Thursday evenings for 8 weeks	Calvary Baptist Church Indianola, IA	Judy Spence: 515-988-8397 Jespencejr44@gmail.com 2708 N Jefferson Way Indianola, IA 50125 Instructors: Doyle Kincy & Eric Kenoyer	Class is free, $8 for book
Iowa Falls Beginning Beekeeping 5:30-8 pm	Jan 30 – Feb 27	Wednesday Evenings for 5 weeks	Iowa Falls Ellsworth Community College	To register: Julie Thomas 1-800-284-4823 /641-844-5621 Course ARG 1396 1100 College Ave Instructor: Pat Ennis	$49 (field days included)
Keosauqua Beginning Beekeeping 9 am -5 pm	Start in March	1 day class	Roberts Bldg - with cooperation with Van Buren County Extension.	To register: 319-293-3039 Hwy 1 North Keosauqua, IA 52562 Instructor: Vern Ramsey	TBD
Knoxville Beginning Beekeeping 6:30-8 pm	Jan 17 – March 14th	Thursday evenings 8 for weeks	Marion County Extension Office 210 N Iowa St Knoxville, IA 50138	To register: Jerry Weldon @ 641-891-4071 0r Sheila @ 641-891-2268 Or email: weldonjs@windstream.net	$45 per household - includes a book, handouts & field day
Marshalltown Beginning Beekeeping 7-9 pm	Jan 31 – March 7	Thursday evenings for 6 weeks	Iowa Valley Community College 3702 South Center St	To register: Rachael Koehler 1-800-284-4823 /641-752-4645 Course ARG 1190 Room 608 Instructor: Phil Ebert	$35
Mason City Beginning Beekeeping 9 am – 12 noon	Feb. 5 - Feb 26th	Saturday mornings for 4 weeks	North Iowa Area Community College	NIACC Continuing Education: 641-422-4358 500 College Dr Mason City, IA 50401 Instructor: Pat Ennis	$49
Mt Pleasant Beginning Beekeeping 6-9 pm	Feb 7, 14, 21 & 28	Thursday evenings for 4 weeks	Iowa State University Extension/ Henry Co Extension Office	To register: Henry Co Extension 127 N Main St or call 319-385-8126 no later than Jan 4th Instructors: Dave and Ray Tull	Individual $25 or Couple $35 (sharing a book)
Nevada Beekeeping Basics	Dec 10, 2018 One day, 2 hour class	Monday Evening	Iowa State University Extension, Nevada	To register: Katie Williams @ 515-382-6551 / kwilla@iastate.edu Instructor: Zack Koopman	Free
Okoboji Intro. to Beekeeping Intensive weekend 8:30 am	Feb 9, 9-4 Feb 10, 1:30-4:30 Snow date Feb 16-17	Saturday – and Sunday weekend class	Dickinson County Nature Center 2279 170th St Okoboji, IA	To register: nwiabeekeepersclubresearch@ gmail.com 507-227-5919 Instructors: Northwest Iowa Beekeepers Association	$75.00 w/manual $50.00 w.o./ manual $25.00 youth
Okoboji Intermediate & Advanced beekeeper education 8:30 am - 4 pm	March 9, 9-4:30 Snow date March 16	Saturday	Dickinson County Nature Center 2279 170th St Okoboji, IA	To register: nwiabeekeepersclubresearch@ gmail.com 507-227-5919 Instructors: Northwest Iowa Beekeepers Association	$35.00 Adult $15.00 Youth $25.00 Univ. MN Manuals
Oskaloosa Beginning Beekeeping 6-8 pm	Jan 18 – March 8	Friday evenings for 7 weeks	Iowa State University Extension Office / Mahaska County	Tina / Jim Marshall @ 641-660-0983 212 North I Street Oskaloosa, IA 52577 Instructors: Jim & Tina Marshall	$45
Ottumwa Beginning Beekeeping 6-8pm	Jan - Feb TBD	Tuesday evenings for 7 weeks	ISU Extension Office 13011 120th Ave Ottumwa IA 52501	To register-Jen Daugherty 641-682-5491 Instructor: Craig Greene	$45
Peosta Beginning Beekeeping 6-9 pm	Feb 7 March 14	Thursday evening for 5 weeks	Northeast Iowa Community College Room: 203	NICC Continuing Education: 563-557-8271, ext 380 8342 NICC Drive Peosta, IA 52068 Instructors: Bill & Louise Johnson	$50
Polk City Beginning Beekeeping 9-11 am	Feb 2, 9, 16 & 23	Saturday Mornings for 4 weeks	Cherry Glen Learning Farm Ray & Susan Meylor	To register: Ray Meylor @ 515-450-1207 or Cherryglenfarmiowa@gmail.co m 3989 NW 94th Ave Polk city, IA 50226	$10 a class Includes hands-on instruction & field day in June Veterans are Free
Sioux Center Beginning Beekeeping Evenings	February TBD with interest	Thursday evenings	Sioux City Woodbury Extension	To register: 712-441-0784 duanebajema@dordt.edu Instructor: Duane H Bajema Ph. D.	First night free, $75 there after
Sioux City Beginning Beekeeping 6:30-8:30 pm	Jan 16, 23, 30 & Feb 4	Wednesday Evenings	Woodbury Co Extension Office 4728 Southern Hills Dr	To register: 712-441-0784 duanebajema@dordt.edu Instructor: Duane H Bajema Ph.D.	First class free, $75.00 thereafter

Sioux Falls SD Beginning Beekeeping 6:30- 8:30 pm	Feb 26, March 5,12, April 4	Tuesday evenings	Community Education Sioux Falls School district	To register:712-441-0784 duanebajema@dordt.edu Instructor: Duane H Bajema Ph. D.	First class free, $75.00 thereafter
Solon 6:30PM to 9:30PM	January 4, 11, & 18		Solon library	To register: Contact Ed St John @ 319-491-4343 or esj178@gmail.com	Free
Toddville Beginning Beekeeping 7-9 pm	TBD	Monday evenings	Wickiup Hill Learning Center Linn County Conservation 10260 Morris Hill Rd	To register: Wickiup Hill Learning Center @ 319-892- 6485	TBD
Toddville Beginning beekeeping 6 -9 pm	TBD	Friday evenings	Wickiup Hill Learning Center Linn County Conservation 10260 Morris Hill Rd	To register: Wickiup Hill Learning Center @ 319-892- 6485	TBD
Toddville Advanced Beekeeping 9-3 pm	TBD	Saturday and Sunday	Wickiup Hill Learning Center Linn County Conservation 10260 Morris Hill Rd	To register: Wickiup Hill Learning Center @ 319-892- 6485	TBD
Toddville Queen Rearing Class 9-3 pm	TBD	Saturday and Sunday	Wickiup Hill Learning Center Linn County Conservation 10260 Morris Hill Rd	To register: Wickiup Hill Learning Center @ 319-892- 6485	TBD
Washington Beginning Beekeeping 6-8 pm	March 5, 12, 19 & 26	Thursday evenings for 4 weeks	Kirkwood Comm. College; Washington Center	319-653-4655 111 West View Dr Washington, IA Instructor: Ron Wehr: 319-698-7542	Class -$39 / Material- $15
Waterloo Beginning Beekeeping 6:30 – 8:30pm	Jan 16- April 13	Wed evenings for 8 sessions	Hawkeye Community College, main campus – Buchanan Hall, Room 108	To register: 319-296-4290 Class ID # 36736 or hawkeyecollege.edu (self register) 5330 Nordic Drive Cedar Falls, IA 50613 Instructor: Kenn Wandschneider	$149.00
Webster City Beginning Beekeeping Class 1-4 pm	Jan 19- Feb 9	4 Saturday afternoons Option to attend 1 Saturday,	Hamilton County ISU Extension Office in Webster City	To register: Yvonne @ 515-835-9326 or e-mail: Yvonne@iastate.edu 311 Bank St Webster City, IA 50595 Instructor: Roy Kraft	Single $35 / Family $45 One Saturday $15.00

###

For more information, contact Lexi Marek, 515-281-5322 or (515) 326-1437 (cell) or Lexi.Marek@IowaAgriculture.gov.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s mission is to provide leadership for all aspects of agriculture in Iowa, ensure consumer protection and promote the responsible use of our natural resources.

www.iowaagriculture.gov