On November 2, 2024 Jon & Ingrid Logterman were honored as the WHPA 2024 Beekeeper of the Year at the annual Fall Convention in Onalaska, WI.
Jon & Ingrid Logterman of Logterman Honey and their children, Naomi and Bernice.
Jon & Ingrid Logterman first joined the WHPA in 2008. Attending conventions, listening to speakers, talking to other beekeepers, learning and networking, they took home new ideas to try with their beekeeping. Soon, their backyard beekeeping evolved into Logterman Honey – a full-time beekeeping operation with up to 2,000 colonies.
Jon has served in the WHPA as a vice president, president, and past president and makes organizational management look easy. He practices what he preaches when it comes to the WHPA’s core purpose: to uphold and maintain a strong bond and fellowship among commercial and hobby honey producers as we protect, improve, support and promote the honey and beekeeping industry. He led the WHPA to increase its delegate presence at not one, but two national industry organizations, making sure Wisconsin is represented in both the American Beekeeping Federation and the American Honey Producers Association. He brings facts and common sense to the challenges that beekeepers face – from bears and land use issues to harmful spraying and honey prices.
Ingrid has served as the chair of the Education and Promotion Committee, updating WHPA’s branding and apparel, increasing WHPA’s visibility as a state commodity organization. She has also been a valuable organizer of Kids & Bees Expo, bringing fun, family-friendly activity stations, and building relationships with beekeeping families and individuals across the state.
Jon & Ingrid are also raising the next generation of beekeepers, instilling a strong work ethic and generosity in their daughters who can often be seen helping with the honey queen auction, Kids & Bees Expo, and other industry activities. Together, this couple have grown into beekeepers that other beekeepers seek out to talk with, share stories, and be in community with. They are generous with their time and friendship and know that being good beekeepers means showing up and supporting one another.
The Beekeeper of the Year Award is presented each year to a member who has made a significant contribution to the honey production industry in Wisconsin, has been an active leader at the local, state and/or national level, stands as a model of good beekeeping husbandry and business dealings and is a respected member of the community.
