The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) in partnership with the Iowa Honey Producers Association (IHPA) and several other groups will host twelve beginning beekeeping courses around the state in 2012. Early enrollment is encouraged so courses can meet minimum enrollment numbers. Fees will vary by location. For more information, please refer to the IHPA website or contact Andrew Joseph, State Apiarist with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, at (515) 725-1481 or andrew.joseph@iowaagriculture.gov.
2012 beginning beekeeping course locations and details:
| City | Start Date | Course Time | Meeting Location | Contact | Fee |
| Ankeny | Jan. 19 | Thursdays for 7 weeks | Iowa Lab Facility, DMACC Campus | Andrew Joseph: 515-725-1481 or Andrew.Joseph@IowaAgriculture.gov | $30 |
| Cedar Rapids | Jan. 19 | 8 sessions throughout the year | Indian Creek Nature Center | Bob Wolfe: 319-363-0664 or more information at https://indiancreeknaturecenter.org/education/beekeeping/ | Member: $55 Nonmember: $85 Partner: $10 |
| Knoxville | Jan. 17 | Tuesdays for 7 weeks | Marion County Extension Office | Craig Greene: (641) 842-2112 | $30 |
| Indianola | Jan. 19 | Thursdays for 8 weeks | Trinity-United Presbyterian Church | Mike Wyatt: (515) 961-0357 | TBD |
| Glenwood | Jan. 25 | Wednesdays for 4-6 weeks | Mills County Engineer’s office | Clarence Seale: 712-310-7410 | TBD |
| Winterset | March | TBD | Winterset library | Pat Randol: (515) 210-7445 or pdrandol@gmail.com | TBD |
| Oskaloosa | Jan. 19 | Thursdays for 7 weeks | Mahaska County Extension office | Craig Green: 641-842-2112 | $30 |
| Marshalltown | Jan. 18 | Beginning Beekeeping class for 4 weeks; Advanced Beekeeping next 3 weeks | Iowa Valley Community College | Sandy Supianoski: 800-284-4823 | $40 for both sessions $25 for one session |
| Peosta | Jan. 24 | Tuesdays for 6 weeks | Northeast Iowa Community College | NICC Continuing Education: 563-557-0354 or www.nicc.edu and click on continuing education | TBD |
| Washington | Feb. 6 | Mondays for 4 weeks | Kirkwood Center | Ron Wehr: 319-698-7542 | TBD |
| Spencer | March | TBD | TBD | Larry or Marlene Boernsen: 712-735-4205 | TBD |
| Mason City | Feb. 4 | Saturdays for 4 weeks | North Iowa Area Community College | NIACC Continuing Education: 641-422-4358 | $39 |
There are currently about 1,500 beekeepers in Iowa that manage around 30,000 colonies of honey bees. These honey bees produce about 2 million pounds of honey annually, valued at $3.5 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 honeybees as crop pollinators in Iowa has been estimated at $92 million annually.
IDALS News Release, 12/28/11.
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