The Wisconsin Honey Producers Association is proud to announce a new national award entitled, the Lee Heine ‘Good People’ Award in honor of Lee Heine, a longtime friend and leader in the beekeeping industry who passed away in 2021 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. With Lee’s passing, we lost a significant figure; a friend who not only kept bees, but one who connected with many about bees, honey, and the advancement of the beekeeping industry.

The WHPA Summer Meeting will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the DoubleTree Hilton in Appleton, WI. Speakers include Garett Slater from USDA & Purdue University, beekeeping panel Q&A, WI Apiary program updates, WI Honey Queen Kaelyn Sumner and more! Doors open June 10 at 7:45am. Meeting begins at 8:30am.

WHPA would like to hear from Wisconsin beekeepers to see how much interest exists to hold a short in-person beekeeping class in collaboration with UW-Madison Farm Short Courses starting in January 2024.

WI Honey Producers Association will hold District meetings around the state! Make plans to attend one or all to improve your beekeeping experience, network with other beekeepers, and learn the latest issues in beekeeping!

To combat colony losses and apiary damage from bears visiting a beeyard, the WHPA has launched a Bear Loss Report Form where beekeepers can enter their colony losses resulting from nuisance bears.

Stephanie Slater was honored as the 2022 Beekeeper of the Year by the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association. Slater champions the honey and beekeeping industry in every aspect of her work with local, state, and national beekeeping organizations.