2021 Fall Conference & Workshops

Our 2021 Fall Conference and Workshops will be held on October 29/30th in Shipshewana, Indiana at the Blue Gate PAC. Break out sessions, hands-on workshops, smoker contest, honey show, auction and raffle are just a part of the exciting activities going on. To see the full agenda, click here.

We'll kick off the conference on Friday night with two presentations by our Plenary Speakers.  Varroa Management and Evaluating Honey Bee Brood Frames will get you buzzed up for Saturday events.  Four workshops and two breakout presentations every session allows something for everyone. 

Membership cost is $40 for adults and non-membership cost is $50.  Children 15 and under are $25.  This cost includes the Friday evening program and Saturday sessions along with an Amish lunch buffet.  We will be serving coffee and juice in the morning. 

Cutoff for pre-registration is October 20th.  Walk-ins are welcome for a cost of $60 per person, member or non-member.

To download the registration form and mail it in, click here.

To register online, click here.

Guest Speakers

Ana Heck

Apiculture Extension Educator, Michigan State University Extension. She began with honey bees in Nicaraqua and then she worked with the University of Minnesota Bee Squad and Michigan State University's Department of Entomology.  Her role engages beekeepers, growers, pesticide applicators and home gardeners to improve the health of managed pollinators.  Ana holds a Master's degree in Public Policy and a graduate minor in Entomology from the University of Minnesota.

Selina Bruckner 

Associate Professor at Auburn University  Selina ran the Bee Informed Partnership’s Annual Survey for 3 years, she also performed several studies regarding the effects of neonicotinoids on honey bee workers and drones, and she is now studying how beekeepers learn and seek out information.

Workshops

This year we will have two walk-in hands on room.  Each room will have two different stations.  Stations will be setup for the following:

1. Making Candy board
2. Assembling Wooden Ware: boxes, frames, etc; Equipment Overview
3. Wax Rendering
4. Demonstrating Installing Packages;Where to buy them
5. Feeding: 1 to 1, 2 to 1 when to use what
6. How to waxing plastic foundation
7. Lighting a Smoker
8. Ways to Treat for Varroa Mites

 Other Things To Do

Shipshewana is certainly a great place to visit, so come a few days early or stay a few days later, but allow yourself some time to visit the neat little shops, markets and sample the wonderful Amish food.  Here's a few links to help get you plan your trip around the conference.

1. Things to do - https://visitshipshewanain.com/
   The flea market is good but all the Small Amish owned businesses around Shipshewana are even better.
2. http://shipshewanatradingplace.com/blog/15-best-things-to-do-in-shipshewana-indiana
3. Craft Barn
4. Laser Engraving

2021 Location Blue Gate Theatre

 Click here for directions

We have arranged a block of rooms at the Blue Gate Garden Inn hotel.  Along with exceptional guest rooms, each room includes hot complimentary breakfast.

Mini Suite (King bed with Sleeper sofa)        $110.98
King/Queen                                               $110.98

To make reservations by phone, call (888) 447-4725.  To make reservations online, click here.

 Smoker Lighting Contest

Saturday morning at 7:45 am will begin our smoker lighting contests.  Rules:

1.  Bring your smoker and fuel to the designated area.
2.  7:45 to 8:00 am get your smoker going.
3.  At 8:00 am, the judges will call time, and all entrants will walk away.
4. Judges will check the smokers at 8:30 am, 9:45 am and 10:30 am.  Any smoker still able to produce smoke will be entered into a drawing for the final prize.

Any type of chemical accelerant; gas, kerosene, lighter fluid, etc. will be disallowed.

Vendor at the Fall Conference and Workshops

Vendor space at the Fall Conference will be $25 per vendor limited to 2 table spaces.  We have 6 or 8' tables that will be skirted.  You are welcome to bring your own tablecloths if you'd like.  Every person must register for the conference. 

If you'd like to be a vendor at the Fall, click here for the registration form.

Amish Buffet Lunch

Beekeepers and food go well together and you couldn't ask for a better meal then this.  It's included in the price of conference registration.  Lunch will be Fried Chicken and Slow Roasted Turkey, Fresh Garden Salad, Chicken Dressing, Homemade Noodles, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Biscuits, Ice Tea/Lemonade and Assorted Pies.

Honey Queen and Princess

Each year at our Fall Conference, we select our next years Indiana Honey Queen and Princess.  If you are 18, on or before January 1st, and no older than 24 on or before January 1st, 2021 and are interested in competing for one of these positions, see our Indiana Honey Queen and Princess page under Programs.

Young Beekeeper Award

The Awards for the Young Beekeeper Program will be given at the Fall Conference.  For rules and an application, see our Young Beekeeper Program page under Programs. 

2020 Honey Show Winners

2021 Honey Show Rules

Bring on the Honey.  Click on the above link for the rules for the 2021 Honey Show.