The WHPA spring district meeting will be at Hansen Honey Farm 3279 Us-8 Rhinelander WI 54501 Saturday February 22th 2025 from 10am-2pm. The main dish and drinks will be provided, please bring a side to share.

About our Guest Speaker, Becky Masterman received a PhD studying hygienic behavior in Marla Spivak’s UMN Bee Lab. Masterman led the University of Minnesota Bee Squad from 2013–2020 and helps out the Minnesota Extension Apiculture Program when Katie Lee needs her. She writes monthly for Bee Culture Magazine and is the co-host of the Beekeeping Today Podcast.  Active in the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, she is a former board member and currently chairs their Habitat Committee. Becky manages 50 honey bee colonies in the Twin Cities area.

Topics will be:

Honey Production, History and Habitat
Honey production is a complex choreography between bees, beekeepers, flowers and weather. If you miss a step or your timing is off, your bumper honey crop might have to wait another year. Join Becky Masterman for a deep dive into honey production including habitat, the biology behind key management steps that impact your crop, and a little honey production history.

Drama Queens
Honey bee queens are vital to a healthy, productive colony. Yet, queen biology, health, and management all challenge beekeepers regardless of their experience. Becky Masterman will talk about the drama that queens can create in our colonies and provide some guidance to navigating these challenges.

The Cost for non member is $10 to help cover the event expenses, If you would like to join the WHPA you can select the add membership and you will be added to the WHPA Mailing List, receive a copy of the Badger Bee’s Monthly publication and be notified of upcoming events, like the summer meeting and fall Convention and New things happening in the Industry. Your membership will also help us fight at the state level for our beloved Honey Bee.

This Springs planned topic we will be doing a panel discussion from sideliner beekeepers from our area. we will ask a variety of questions, ranging from Management practices, Queen raising/management, Honey Processing to Marketing their Products and open discussion after and lunch will follow.

Our Store will also be open if your needing any supplies for the upcoming season.

*If you are already a WHPA paid member you are not required to pre pay, please call 715-369-0383 to RSVP, so we know how to plan for food.

For more Information on the WHPA Please check out there website Click Here