
Hello Beekeepers, During the past few days two NWIABKA beekeepers reported sick colonies. Attached are photos of frames from the stricken colonies. From observation of the photos it appears to be a brood disease, either European Foulbrood (EFB) or American Foulbrood (AFB). Both diseases will decimate a colony. The pathogens can be transmitted between hives and…

Learn about beekeeping mid summer Outdoor Classroom Reading the Comb & Varroa Mgt. – Learning the Art of Effective Hive Inspections with Dr. Katie Lee, U of MN Apiculture Extension Educator Sunday, June 28, 2-4:30 pm. 1063 Tanger Ave, Ocheyedan, Iowa. About the location: The Outdoor Classroom is hosted by Marlene Boernsen at her 1063 Tanger Ave. bee yard. The yard has parking, shade,…

Please be reminded of the NWIABKA Annual Meeting set for this upcoming Sunday, April 26, 2-4:30 pm. at the Dickinson County Fair Expo building. In addition to the information provided below please refer to the annual meeting hand-outs attached to this email. For your consideration, NWIABKA member Adam Olson has created an oak queen grafting stand which he is donating…

Sunday, April 26, 2-4:30 pm Expo Building on the Dickinson County Fairgrounds 1600 15th St., Spirit Lake, IA The NWIABKA annual meeting is the opportunity for members to join in fellowship with beekeepers to celebrate beekeeping and the good work of the Association. What to expect at the 2026 annual meeting. Guest Speaker: Entomologist and 17 year beekeeping…

Advanced techniques for mastering beekeeping. Skills: Small scale raising of local queens: selecting and culling breeder colonies, managing for successful mating of virgin queens, managing five frame and double nucs as “brood factories”, using the Demaree (and modified Demaree) split for swarm control, quality control for selling nucs and queens, IPM and biosecurity advanced practices, and…

Level 2 – February 28th, 2026, Saturday 8:30 a.m. registration at the Expo Building, Dickinson County Fairgrounds, Spirit Lake, IA. Level 2 – Saturday, February 28 – Raising healthy & resilient colonies that overwinter and thrive. Skills: Making spring and late season splits; maintaining emergency queen nucs; requeening colonies, managing five frame and double nucs that overwinter; Integrated…

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…
The Northwest Iowa Beekeepers Association is pleased to once again offer two scholarships for first time attendees to the Iowa Honey Producers Association’s Annual Conference, Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th at the Prairie Meadows Events & Conference Center, Altoona, IA. Qualifying applicants should have their dues with NWIABKA up to date for the 7/1/25-6/30/26 year…
NWIABKA Bee Smart Zoom Meeting Thursday, September 18, 7:30 pm. Preparing Colonies to Survive Winter Managing Colonies During Extreme Fall Winter Zoom, Contact Tim for zoom link tim@nwiabka.org if you are a member of NWIABKATopics: Late season feeding of colonies – reviewing Georgia beekeeper, Bob Binnie’s lessons on “The Chemistry Behind Feeding Bees” Late season Varroa mite…
NWIABKA has a honey bee booth at Clay County Fair in Spencer Iowa. This Week September 6-14, 2025. Please visit us and purchase some local honey products from local area honey producers. Located at east entrance building: Tower Gate Pavilion Speak with members of Northwest Iowa Beekeepers Association to learn more about bees and become a member of…