Hello Region 4 Clubs,

I hope everybody had a great year. The bees are trying to wind down, and will be clustering at some point. Our Fall has been exceptionally warm and dry, so it might be a warm winter and potentially a difficult one for the bees. Make sure the hives are heavy, as they consume more sugar when its warm in the winter.

I have an opportunity I wanted share with the Clubs. This is something that we need to act on relatively quick. As some of you might be aware, the Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS) has their national meeting in Plainfield, Indiana in July 2027. One thing that EAS has been doing for the national meeting is coordinating with the state or local bee organizations to get hive bodies painted by local schools, non-profits, or other entities. The hives get auctioned at the EAS meeting in July 2027 and the proceeds go back to the local schools/non-profit, etc. in August 2027. So, EAS doesn’t make any money from this at all...it’s a community service that they do.

So, each Regional Director has received one complete 8-frame hive kit, and 6 deep hive bodies. My job is to dole these out to Clubs if they are interested in getting these painted by local schools, charities, non-profits, etc. Again, the proceeds from the July auction will go back to the charity/non-profit, etc.

• The paintings should depict something specific about that region of the State or community.
• All hive bodies are already assembled with screws and have been primed. They are ready to be painted.
• A sticker/label is in each hive body to identify exactly who did the work, so that the auction dollars can get back to that specific entity.

The complete hive set is already spoken for, but the other 6 deep hive bodies need a home to go to. So, if any of the Clubs would like one or two deeps that they can provide to local schools, non-profits (e.g, women and children’s shelters, community centers, 4-H, etc.) to paint, then please let me know as soon as possible. Once you let me know that you are interested, then I will get the hive body/bodies to you in short order. We would like to have these painted and back to me by mid-February.

I have attached a flyer that would go with the hive bodies.

This is a “first come, first serve” thing, so the sooner you let me know, then you get the opportunity to participate.

Feel free to call me or email me if you are interested. Cell number is below.

Thanks,

Dave Z

Hello Region 4 Clubs,

I hope everybody had a great summer and your colonies are strong going into Fall and Winter. Like most of you, I had a busy summer between my day job, tending to a few colonies of bees, gardening, and lots of family stuff including a wedding (middle son). I think our region had a pretty good honey flow, but we did have a stormy summer and flooding. Hopefully, most folks survived it OK with minimal losses, but I know there are some in the Region that got impacted by the flooding (homes, businesses, and bees). I am glad that is behind us, and hopefully folks that were affected are back on their feet.

The TBoI Fall Conference is about a month away! It is being held in Edinburgh, Indiana this year on Friday October 23 and Saturday October 24, 2026. You can check out the Agenda and the registration here. It looks like a good variety of speakers and topics. I hope to see you there.

As some of you might be aware, we have openings on the TBoI Board for President, Secretary, and At-Large Directors. If you are interested in being nominated for a position on the Board, please reach out to me, or anybody in TBoI. The criteria for a Board position include being a TBoI member and attending at least 2 Board meetings in the last 12 months. We have had a large shift in leadership over the last few years with some folks hitting their term limit. I know we have some talented folks in the various Clubs in the Region, so if you are interested in making an impact in the Hoosier State’s only beekeeping organization, now is your opportunity. I like the direction TBoI is going and I think there are a lot of opportunities to keep our state organization strong and a resource for beekeepers in the State.

Lastly, if you need speakers for your Club meetings this Fall or Winter, feel free to reach out TBoI or me, and we can probably get somebody to speak at one of your Club meetings. I know Dave Hocutt (President of TBoI) has made his rounds to most of the Clubs this year, and there are usually folks willing to come in and talk with Clubs (myself included). So please feel free to reach out. I plan on visiting a few more Clubs before the end of the year too, and would be happy to speak on a topic. I have presentations on a variety of topics, so feel free to reach out to me too.

All the best, and hope to see you at the Fall Conference.

Sincerely,

Dave Z

Expertise. Innovation.

Commitment. Nationwide.

David J. Zbieszkowski, LPG

Project Director/Principal Geologist

August Mack Environmental, Inc.

Email: d***@a***.com

Phone: 317.916.3159 | Mobile: 317.517.2095

1302 North Meridian Street, Suite 300

Indianapolis, IN 46202

www.augustmack.com

Hello everybody......just a reminder for Purdue Field Day coming up in less than 2 weeks. Please let folks in your clubs know.

Thanks,

One Last reminder to preregister to protect your discount.

Walk-ins are welcome but all walk-ins will be $65.00 at the door and may not include lunch.

So, register today.

Register on-line

Dave Z

Expertise. Innovation.

Commitment. Nationwide.

David J. Zbieszkowski, LPG

Project Director/Principal Geologist

August Mack Environmental, Inc.

Email: d***@a***.com

Phone: 317.916.3159 | Mobile: 317.517.2095

1302 North Meridian Street, Suite 300

Indianapolis, IN 46202

www.augustmack.com

Hello everybody,

I hope you and your Clubs are doing great and everybody’s bees are doing fantastic. In central Indiana, we are just getting on the black locust bloom and tulip poplar (hopefully the storms don’t blow off too many blossoms) and have a lot of other things right around the corner like basswood and clover. I have a couple honey supers filled on hives now, and added a couple more last weekend since May and June often see the strongest flows of the year. It could be a really strong year.

As far as The Beekeepers of Indiana, there are a couple things to report:

1. Bee School in February was very well attended (over 400 people) and folks liked the venue in Carmel, the presentations, and the vendors. Bee School will be at the same place in 2027!
2. Purdue Field Day
1. June 13, 2026 from 7:30 to 3:30 at the Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 US 52 West Lafayette, IN 47906
2. If you haven’t been to Purdue Field Day, it is a great opportunity to do hands on stuff in the hives and learn from some of the best on honey harvest, extraction, queen grafting, etc.
3. This year, there will be a film crew from public television (WFYI) doing a special on the Purdue Field Day. They will interview Dave Hocutt (President of TBoI), as well as some professional beekeepers, scientists, and a few regular beekeepers (like the rest of us). This should interesting and a fun thing to be a part of.
4. The sign-up information is provided on the TBoI website.
3. Purdue Short Course (link below)
1. Mastering the Art and Science of Queen Rearing. This will be the days preceding Purdue Field Day.
2. June 11-12 at Purdue Bee Lab
3. Krispn Given with Purdue is leading the course.
4. Space is very limited, so sign-up soon if interested.
4. State Fair
1. August 7-23, 2026.
2. It looks like most of the Clubs that wanted to participate at the Fair will have the opportunity this year.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Continue encouraging the beekeepers in your Clubs to join TBoI. It’s the only statewide beekeeping organization supporting beekeepers and honeybees.

If you need speakers, please reach out to me, and I can find somebody to potentially provide a topic and discuss some aspect of beekeeping. I know Dave Hocutt is trying to go to all the bee clubs in the State this year. He is an excellent speaker and is always a good source of information. He has been doing it a long time and is an Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS) Master Beekeeper. There are others that are comfortable doing presentations as well, including me (I am a master of nothing, but can talk bees). 😊

Best of luck to you and your bees.

Dave Z

Expertise. Innovation.

Commitment. Nationwide.

David J. Zbieszkowski, LPG

Project Director/Principal Geologist

August Mack Environmental, Inc.

Email: d***@a***.com

Phone: 317.916.3159 | Mobile: 317.517.2095

1302 North Meridian Street, Suite 300

Indianapolis, IN 46202

www.augustmack.com

Hello Beekeeping Clubs,

I hope everybody’s bees are managing the tough winter. I figured it’s been a few months so I would send out a few reminders/announcements.

Please pass this information out to your local club members on some of the upcoming items from The Beekeepers of Indiana.

1. Bee School XXIV – It’s just around the corner. Please encourage folks in your Clubs to register ASAP.
1. Date: February 28, 2026.
2. Carmel, IN
3. Two great plenary speakers – Cameron Jack and Dr. James Tew.
4. Please encourage folks in your Clubs to join TBoI and attend the Bee School. There are topics for everybody, and it’s a good place for Indiana beekeepers to connect.
2. Jump Starter Program
1. It looks like we had about 10 or so Jumpstarter applicants through the Clubs this year (applications were due January 31).
2. Those applications are being evaluated by the Committee (Bill Spurlin – Chair). Bill or others on the committee will reach out to the Clubs/applicants as they are reviewed.
3. Scholarship Program
1. This program is sponsored and administered by TBoI and provides tuition assistance for students that are preparing for a career in apiculture.
2. Eligible candidates must submit an application no later April 1, 2026 to the TBoI Scholarship Committee Chair – Joe Kimmel at j***@g***.com or at the mailing address provided in the application (see attached and refer to the TBoI website).
4. State Fair – Volunteer day for Clubs
1. I know last year there were a couple clubs that didn’t have a volunteer day at the TBoI booth at Indiana State Fair because all the spots were filled.
2. If your club is interested in having a Volunteer Day at the TBoI Booth, then please reach out to the State Fair Committee Chair – Robert Duffy at t***@a***.com
5. Resources for Clubs/Speakers
1. The TBoI website has some free presentations that folks can use for education purposes for clubs, schools, etc. They are pretty basic but offer a starting point.
2. Please encourage folks in your clubs to present on various issues. All of the Club meetings that I have attended last year had some great presentations from folks in that club talking about their experiences or a specific topic.
3. Reach out to me if you need any ideas for presentations or speakers.

I would also like to also verify that the clubs on this email are still active (meeting regularly), and that the contact and meetings/location are accurate. We provide this info in the newsletter and I want to make sure that it is up to date. Below is the current information that I have for Clubs in Region 4. Please verify that this info is correct, and let me know if you still meet routinely, and where you typically meet. Thank you.

COUNTY

CLUB

LOCATION

CONTACT

MEETINGS

MEETING LOCATION

Hamilton

North Central Indiana Beekeepers

Westfield

Tracy Pielemeier

3^rd Wednesday

Cool Creek Nature Center, Carmel, IN

Hancock

Community Beekeepers

Greenfield

Ron Myers

1^st Thursday

?

Madison

East Central Beekeepers

Pendleton

Steve Doty

2^nd Tuesday

Gospel Grace Church, Pendleton, IN

Marion

Central Indiana Beekeepers

Indianapolis

Carrie Sample

3^rd Monday

Holliday Park Nature Center, Indy IN

Marion

Indy Southside Beekeepers

Southside Indy

Jenn Slaughter

1^st Tuesday

Franklin Township Civic League, Indy, IN

Randolph

Whitewater Valley Beekeepers

Winchester

Martha Jackson

2^nd Thursday

Davis Purdue AG Center, Farmland, IN

Shelby

Shelby County Beekeepers

Shelbyville

Sharon Orem

2^nd Tuesday

Purdue Extension – Shelbyville, IN

Wayne

Eastern Indiana Beekeepers

Richmond

Michael J. West

3^rd Tuesday

Hayes Arboretum, Richmond, IN

Feel free to reach out via email or mobile number (below) if have any questions regarding TBOI, other clubs, presentations, etc.

I look forward to connecting with you and your Clubs this year.

Sincerely,

Dave Z

Expertise. Innovation.

Commitment. Nationwide.

David J. Zbieszkowski, LPG

Project Director/Principal Geologist

August Mack Environmental, Inc.

Email: d***@a***.com

Phone: 317.916.3159 | Mobile: 317.517.2095

1302 North Meridian Street, Suite 300

Indianapolis, IN 46202

www.augustmack.com