RECORD NUMBER OF BEEKEEPING SCHOOLS SCHEDULED FOR 2018
Iowa Department of Agriculture
36 beginner and advanced beekeeping courses to be held 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 beekeeping schools that will be held around the state again in 2018. There are a record number of 36 courses that will be held across the state for both the beginner and advanced bee keeper.
“Interest in beekeeping continues to grow and these courses are a great opportunity for new beekeepers or those who are interested in getting started to learn from experienced Iowa beekeepers who understand how to successfully raise bees in our state,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
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.
