NWIABKA Education Report October 12, 2026
The teaching apiary (TA) education and research site on the campus of the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory (ILL) will enhance the learning opportunities for the NWIABKA membership, regional beekeepers, schools, and community educators such as ISU Extension.
NWIABKA’s classes, events, and stories will be shared with nearly 1,000 Friends of Lakeside Laboratory. This expands the scope of possible beekeeping class students and potential funders for the teaching apiary program.
TA Progress update: ● Teaching apiary vision and mission statements will be crafted to align with the NWIABKA vision and mission statements below: Vision Statement: The NWIABKA is a community of informed beekeepers committed to raising healthy honey bees that thrive. Mission Statement: By the year 2030, 75% of honey bee stock required for queen, colony replacements, apiary expansions, and starter colonies in NW Iowa, SW Minnesota, and east central South Dakota will be raised by NWIABKA members in collaboration with neighboring beekeeper organizations..
● Matt Fairchild the Facilities Manager will: – Work the ground and Level the TA site – Price 30 ft of split rail fencing for spring installation – Provide a 10 x 10 ft space in a storage shed for housing TA beekeeping equipment and supplies – Consult on species to be planted as a bee lawn and native pollinator plant display at the TA site
● Dr. Betsy Riley the Executive Director of the Friends of the Lakeside Laboratory will: – Assist with creating a joint fund raising strategy between Friends and NWIABKA – Brainstorm possible sponsors for the TA program – Review and edit the Association’s TA focused SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education) grant proposal – Betsy has been successful writing academic grant proposals – Promote NWIABKA classes, events, and stories – Invite Friends to attend the May 23, 2027 TA grand opening/ribbon cutting
● NWIABKA will: – Develop a three year TA plan of action (POA) & budget – Participate in joint fund raising events – please refer to email attachment of the TA AI depiction prepared by Doug
Write a SARE grant proposal focused on TA education and research programming – Provide articles for publishing in the Friends newsletters – Maintain good communications with Matt & Betsy
Education Outreach:
● NW Iowa Community College, Sheldon, IA – December 3 Honey Bee Magic – The Science & Art of Beekeeping community education – flyer attached to email – February 6 (tentative) – Level 1 Class: Introduction to Sustainable Beekeeping
● U of MN SW Research & Outreach Center, Lamberton, MN – April 10, 9-4 in collaboration with Dr. Katie Lee, U of MN Extension Apiculture Educator – Teaching team has met with Katie via Zoom and will meet again on Nov. 30th 2027 Beekeeping Education Schedule date change
● Level 3 class has been rescheduled to March 20 to avoid the Easter weekend
James Lee/Sustainable Beekeepers of Michigan SARE Grant – The NWIABKA teaching team has been notified that the James Lee multi-state nearly $250,000 SARE grant proposal has been approved. The team will be notified in December with more information about becoming a local VSH queen breeding hub. This opportunity will require thoughtful planning and coordination by the teaching team and the Association.
Doug continues to coach the Estherville FFA beekeepers.
An overture has been made to Dr. Katie Lee for creating a program for certifying honey bee disease and pest diagnosticians.
Beekeeper education is a priority of the NWIABKA. Guided by that priority, the NWIABKA Board is enhancing the quality of educational offerings to beekeepers with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, located on Little Millers Bay of West Lake Okoboji. Lakeside Laboratory, https://iowalakesidelab.org/ , is providing space on its campus for up to 12 colonies. The site is adjacent to an outdoor classroom building. The teaching apiary will allow for hands-on beekeeper skill building and the demonstration of best practices with live bees. Best practices may include Varroa mite monitoring and treatment options, making splits, setting-up five over five nucs and double nucs, creating a cell builder for queen production, raising queens, feeding options, preparing colonies for winter, testing of new products, and much more. The teaching apiary makes it possible to take information learned in a beekeeping class and apply it to the “real world” of a bee yard.
May 23, 2027 is the date for the teaching apiary grand opening & ribbon cutting at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. Next spring work days will be scheduled at the teaching apiary site.
NW Iowa Beekeepers Association 2027 Beekeeper Education Schedule Mark your Calendars
● January 23, 9-4: Level 1 – Lakeside Laboratory campus ● February 6, 9-4: Level 1 – NW Iowa Community College, Sheldon, IA
● February 27, 9-4: Level 2 – Lakeside Laboratory campus
● March 20, 9-4: Level 3 – Lakeside Laboratory campus
● April 10, 9-4: Honey Bee Day (Level 1 & Level 2 classes) – U of MN SW Research & Outreach Center, Lamberton, MN
● May 23, 2-5: Outdoor Classroom, Lakeside Lab Teaching Apiary
● June 27, 2-5: Outdoor Classroom, Lakeside Lab Teaching Apiary
● July 25, 2-5: Outdoor Classroom, Lakeside Lab Teaching Apiary
● August 22, 2-5:Outdoor Classroom, Lakeside Lab Teaching Apiary
● September 26, 2-5: Outdoor Classroom, Lakeside Lab Teaching Apiary
● October 24, 2-5: Outdoor Classroom, Lakeside Lab Teaching Apiary
● Bee Smart Zoom meetings – topics will be announced in January
● Colony Management Alert! emails & In the Hive newsletters
● Beekeepers coaching as requested
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