Nebraska Beekeepers Association

09/13/2026

B3: Building Better Bees for the Future

A Honey Bee Health & Breeding Symposium and Harbo Assay Lab

September 26, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location:
Habitat for Humanity (Young School)
505 N. Dodgion Street
Independence, MO

Register @ https://pears.io/events/mu/8704/

Hosted by University of Missouri Extension, Heartland Beekeeping Partnership (HBeeP), Johnson County Missouri Beekeepers Association (JCMBA), and Paul Sopher.

Join us for a full day of hands-on learning, research-based presentations, and practical breeding strategies designed to strengthen honey bee health and improve colony resilience.

This year’s symposium features Cory Stevens, nationally recognized for his work in honey bee breeding and Varroa-sensitive hygiene (VSH), alongside Tamra Reall, Ph.D., and Cathy Misko, EAS Master Beekeeper.

Participants will learn how to identify and select for honey bees that naturally suppress mite reproduction (SMR), helping reduce Varroa pressure and improve colony survival.

Featured Highlights:
• Hands-on Harbo brood assay lab with Cory Stevens
• Research-based honey bee health presentations
• Practical strategies for backyard queen selection and breeding
• Learn how to evaluate your own colonies for SMR/VSH traits
• Opportunity to assess your own brood frames during the lab

Important: Participants are encouraged to bring 1–2 "nice capped brood frames with just a FEW workers starting to emerge" to assess/Harbo score your own bees.

Registration Includes:
• Brood assay lab kit (forceps, frame holder, adjustable headlamp with red light, scoring card)
• Refreshments and lunch
• One-year complimentary JCMBA membership
• Monthly Apiary Buzz digital newsletter
• Chance to win a Missouri Mite Hunter VSH Queen Certificate and phenomenal door prizes

Registration Information: Pre-registration is required. Space is limited to 50 participants.

Early Bird Registration (before September 5, 2026): $90 per person

After September 5, 2026: $100 per person

Two ways to register:
1. Register online through MU Extension via https://pears.io/events/mu/8704/
2. Register by email with mail-in payment or pay-at-the-door (with prior approval). Visit https://jcmba.org/ for additional documents, agenda and bios.

For registration questions, contact:
Cathy Misko | [email protected] | (660) 656-3485

Paul Sopher | (816) 598-6241

Preparing for the Lab: Bring Your Own Bees

Participants wishing to evaluate their own colonies should:
• Feed colonies 1:1 syrup approximately one month in advance to stimulate brood production (especially during nectar dearth)
• Select 1–2 brood frames with "nice capped brood with just a few workers starting to emerge" to assess/score your own bees.
• Shake off nurse bees before transport
• Bring brood frames in a nuc box
• Conduct a colony mite test beforehand for comparison

For additional honey bee health resources, review the 2026 Honey Bee Health Varroa Guide from the Honey Bee Health Coalition.

Whether you are a beginner beekeeper or an experienced queen breeder, B3 offers practical tools, scientific insight, and hands-on experience to help build healthier bees for the future

09/07/2026

It’s the last day of the Nebraska State Fair!

Don’t forget to buzz on over to our booth and meet the American Honey Queen, get your honey ice cream fix, buy local Nebraska honey, snag some beeswax goodies for teacher gifts and stocking stuffers and say hi to the bees!

09/07/2026

Are you passionate about agriculture and looking for a unique internship opportunity in 2027?

The American Honey Queen and Princess serve as educators on behalf of the American Beekeeping Federation to promote the honey and beekeeping industry. Previous representatives have earned college credits for their work along with scholarships.

Apply now to learn more!
https://abfnet.org/american-honey-queen-program

09/05/2026

There's Royalty at the Nebraska State Fair! Come by our booth to meet the 2026 American Honey Queen!

A dream come true!!! 💫
While in New Jersey, I did my first bee beard! Thank you to the Medinas for making this happen.

A bee beard can be done in a few different ways, but for mine we put the queen cage (and queen) under my chin and gently added bees to my face and neck. The bees are often very calm since they are near their queen and have no reason to be alarmed. Afterwards, we remove the queen, brush the bees off of me, and return them to their hive!
**This should be done by experienced beekeepers and in a safe environment**

~Queen Delanie

09/03/2026

We are in desperate need of volunteers starting today thru Labor Day and we can’t do this without you! Please take a moment to look at the list below and volunteer for a shift.

ALL Volunteers in 2026 receive:
* A Free 1-year NBA membership
* Free cup of our New honey ice cream
* Free entry into the fair

Click here to signup now!

https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showSignUp/10C0E4FAEAA2BA6F4C70-64093653-state?useFullSite=false

09/01/2026

Friends, we are still in need of volunteers to cover shifts at our booth at the Nebraska State Fair. Both this week and this weekend.

Please take a look at the signupgenius and volunteer.

08/31/2026

We have A LOT of talented beekeepers across the state. Bee sure to stop by our booth at the Nebraska State Fair and check out this years submissions!

08/30/2026

We’ve got what you need to cool off at the Nebraska State Fair!

And your purchase of a honey ice cream or any of our other fantastic products goes toward supporting beekeeping education and our Youth Scholarship fund!

Buzz on over to our booth, located in the 4-H building.

08/28/2026

2026 Nebraska State Fair opening day!

And that means honey judging. From honey, photos, comb honey, chunk honey to handmade quilts, molded beeswax and candles, our judges spend opening day deciding on the best of the best in the Good Life!

Who will walk away with that blue ribbon this year and gain bragging rights? Stay tuned!