Season’s Greetings from your NWIABKA Board of Directors,
Hopefully your beekeeping activities have quieted down enough as winter approaches to read a mid-year update about where we’ve been and where we hope to go in 2026. Not long after our annual meeting we held a zoom meeting with Dr. Kiara Wagoner about a new means to measure the hygienic behavior of bees called UbeeO. The test assists beekeepers in selecting stock that they may wish to use for breeding mite resistance in their colonies. In the same vein of providing new and accessible ways to raise queens we hosted a presentation from Phil Breed on On The Spot (OTS) queen rearing.
In early summer we offered a hands-on field day with stations for new and seasoned beekeepers alike. New beekeepers focused on basic skills like hive inspections, mite counts, finding and marking the queen, making a split, and problem solving skills. Advanced beekeepers learned about creating 5 over 5 nuc colonies for overwintering and making splits using a double screen board. Everyone took time to learn about the importance of biosecurity among their own yards and while visiting others.
In the fall we gathered in person at Marlene Boersen’s Honey House to learn about and be reminded of best practices for honey extraction and honey sales. We had 8 vendors and 12 volunteers for our booth at the Clay County Fair. We continue to adjust seller expenses to cover booth fees, but overall find it a valuable outreach and educational opportunity for the association. We also had a presentation from Jean Irwin on value added wax products. Finally we had a zoom presentation from The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund regarding an opportunity for free seed for pollinator plots over 2 acres in size.
Throughout the year we’ve had seasonal topical zoom meetings for both 1st year and advanced beekeepers. 1st years have most recently been preparing to head into their first winter hopefully having made all the preparations to give their bees the best chance at survival. An association wide zoom meeting will take place in early December to review overwintering practices and discuss emerging varroa resistance products.
In 2026 we again aim to offer level 1 and 2 classes and add our first offering of the level 3 course (further descriptions below). All classes will be at the Dickinson Co. Expo center. The dates are as follows: Level 1 – January 30th. Level 2 – February 28th. Level 3 – March 28th. More details on cost and how to register are coming soon. Invite your fellow beekeepers to join the association and to keep on learning alongside us. An informed beekeeper benefits both their colonies and their fellow beekeeper!
As you can see we had a lot going on in 2025 and look to expand even further in 2026 with your help. This year we switched to a fiscal year beginning July 1st and ending June 20th. One our primary sources of income for the many events we offer come from membership dues and course registration fees. If you enjoy the opportunities that were offered this last year and wish to see them continue to grow in 2026 please update your dues if you haven’t already for the ‘25-’26 year and/or consider registering for one of the classes when registration opens in the coming months.
We hope you’ll continue to learn alongside us as we work towards establishing our level 5 beekeeping program by 2030 (details below).
With Gratitude,
The NWIABKA Board of Directors
Jean Irwin
Steve Lende
Brian Jack
Tim Olsen
Erin Van Roekel
Darrell Veencamp
Doug Zemler
Level 5 Beekeeper Education Outline
Level 1 – Introduction to Sustainable (resilient) Beekeeping – Enjoying a Successful First Year of Beekeeping
Level 2 – The Principles and Practices of Sustainable Beekeeping – Raising Healthy Bees that Thrive
Level 3 – Mastering the Science and Art of Sustainable Beekeeping – Advanced Techniques for Mastering Beekeeping
Level 4 – Mentor Training – Sharing the best practices of Sustainable Beekeeping with novice beekeepers
Level 5 – Capstone – Beekeepers will:
- Manage colonies for 75% or better winter survival rates.
- Follow IPM principles and biosecurity protocols to maintain bees in good health and free from preventable illnesses.
- Select breeder queens based on selection criteria and trait testing to continually improve stock quality.
- Anticipate and prepare for colony losses.
- Maintain a closed apiary – only importing bees when new genetics is needed.
Provide excess bees to fellow beekeepers.
