June 23, 2014

Beekeeping conference is July 10-12

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Heartland Apicultural Society will host a honey of a conference at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this summer. 

The conference at the Student Center is designed for a wide variety of beekeepers, from expert to beginners.  The conference is July 10-12, with plenary speakers at 9 a.m. and breakout sessions beginning at 10 a.m. each day. 

Topics will include a wide range of beekeeping issues, from first-year beekeeping to hive pests, bee diseases and queen and colony care.  Other sessions include topics on cooking with honey, and creating lotions, balms and other hive products.  Attendees can also opt for sessions in how to market their products.  Regional and national venders will also have products and equipment for sale during the conference. 

Plenary sessions are:

  • Larry Connor, “Eight Steps Toward Sustainable Beekeeping,” 9-10 a.m., July 10.
  • Reed Johnson, “Pesticides and Poisons in the Hive,” 9-10 a.m., July 11.
  • Juliana Rangel-Posada, “An Update on Bee Activities at Texas A&M,” 9-10 a.m., July 12.

On-site registration is available beginning each day at 7:30 a.m.  Attendance fees are $40 per day or $100 for all three days.