Topic: Food, Farm, and the Business of Bees: Agricultural Policy and the Beekeeping Industry

Cordel Bostic is a West Virginia native with deep roots in the state and a strong record of advancing state and federal policy that strengthens food access and agricultural opportunity. A graduate of Davis & Elkins College with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Cordel began his career supporting community development initiatives across West Virginia as a grant writer before bringing his expertise into the policy arena. As External Affairs & Legislative Policy Coordinator for the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, he has helped secure key policy wins that expand nutrition access, strengthen local food purchasing, and support farm and food business viability. In addition to his civilian policy work, Cordel has served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Human Resource Analyst and, during deployment to Iraq, advised in areas of federal law and policy. His work reflects a commitment to pragmatic, results-driven policy solutions that directly benefit West Virginia communities.

Topic: TBA

Greg Burns, along with his wife Susan and their seven children, made the intentional decision to leave city life behind and embrace a more resilient, homesteading lifestyle on their land. Their mission centers around teaching and learning meaningful life skills as a family, continuing the tradition of passing down the old ways. Beekeeping naturally aligned with this way of life, and together they have transformed their passion into a business that supplies high-quality bees and equipment to beekeepers nationwide. Greg and Susan are dedicated to mentoring others, sharing knowledge, and preserving the time-honored practices of beekeeping. They believe that nature is the greatest teacher and that farming in harmony with nature allows them to care sustainably for the land and their family for generations to come. Through their journey, they invite others to join them in living a simple life filled with joy and happiness.

Topic: "Free Your Hive and the Rest Will Follow"
Sam will share his DIY methods of beekeeping, demystify the Comfort Hive, discuss mating nuc Games & Theory, and explain the "treatment-free but not stupid" philosophy.

Topic: "Bugs 'N Roses"

See the world through honey-colored glasses while Sam sees if the bees will tolerate his silly bee songs.  Keep morale up!

After winning 6 hives in a poker game, Sam Comfort has been on the lam and quietly subverting industrial bee farming since 2003.  Anarchy Apiaries explores permaculture ideas of low-input natural cycles.  The mission is to have a good time, all the time (with bees).  The sting operation runs around 1000 build-it-yourself "Comfort Hives" with no treatments and minimal feeding in New York, New Jersey, the Carolinas, and Florida.  Through producing queen bees, starter hives, and teaching independent, biological beekeeping, Sam hopes to make it more affordable, approachable, and enjoyable.  The buzz phrase Swarm the State signifies bringing the means of production back to the beekeeper.

Topic: Trees and Herbs for All Bees in your Garden

Larry Connor was born in Kalamzoo and graduated from Richland High School in 1963. He earned three degrees in entomology from Michigan State University and was hired as Extension Entomologist in Apiculture at The Ohio State University in 1972. In 1976 he was hired by Chuck Dadant of Dadant and Sons to run a new bee breeding program located in Labelle, Florida. Called Genetic Systems, Inc. this firm had two missions: to produce breeder queens for the Starline and Midnite hybrid bee programs (established by Dr. G.H. “Bud” Cale, Jr), and to mass produce instrumentally inseminated three-line hybrid bees called the Cale 876 Hybrid.

Connor left Florida in late 1980 to live in Cheshire and New Haven, Connecticut. In 2007, due to pressure of travel, he relocated to Kalamazoo and continues to write books and publish for Wicwas Press as well as serve as a monthly columnist for Bee Culture Magazine and the American Bee Journal.

In huge demand on the beekeeping speaking circuit, Connor travels widely to share his beekeeping knowledge at beekeeper meetings. He also conducts workshops on queen rearing and bee breeding, honey bee microscopy and related topics. Since childhood, Connor has had a strong interest in photography. He continues to expand his collection of images of bees, beekeepers and bee flora.

BIT PROGRAM

Karen Davis is a dedicated STEM educator at Eastwood Elementary, teaching grades K–5 and inspiring curiosity for over 23 years. For eight of those years, she led educational outreach for NASA, bringing the wonders of space and science to students and communities. Since 2020, Karen has been an active beekeeper, even maintaining hives right at her school. She runs the Beekeeper in Training program with the Mon County Beekeepers Association, helping new beekeepers gain hands-on skills. Her favorite passion is creating engaging outdoor learning spaces where students can explore, discover, and connect with nature.

Topic: Tropilaelaps: An emerging threat to global beekeeping

Did you know that a tiny mite is an emerging global threat to beekeeping? Meet Tropilaelaps -a brood parasite that is infesting honey bee colonies and causing significant colony losses. The reason behind these devastating losses? Tropilaelaps can reproduce faster than their notorious cousin Varroa, and cause more damage to bee brood as they feed. With increasing global trade and climate change expanding their range, Tropilaelaps has become a looming danger to global beekeeping and is following a similar path around the world to Varroa.

Discover the intricate details of their biology, behaviour, and distribution, and understand why they are becoming such a threat to beekeeping. Stay informed with the latest research from Thailand and Georgia, where Maggie and her team have been unravelling the complex biology and behaviour of Tropilaelaps. Find out what you can do to help safeguard your bees and the UK from the threat of Tropilaelaps.

Topic: Tropilaelaps: Transmission, treatments and more

As the parasitic Tropilaelaps mite spreads beyond its Asian origins and into Europe, it’s becoming clear that we still have much to learn about this fast-moving honey bee pest. Reports suggest the mite is spreading in parts of Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Belarus, and possibly Türkiye.

For years, many believed that the tools used against Varroa - such as standard treatments and natural winter brood breaks - would also keep Tropilaelaps in check. But recent experiences in western Russia and Georgia tell a different story: beekeepers there are facing significant colony losses, reduced honey production, and unexpected overwintering success of this tropical mite in colder climates.

This lecture explores what we now know about how Tropilaelaps spreads, why it can survive winters far from the tropics, and what the newest research reveals about effective control options. Whether you’re a beekeeper or simply curious about honey bee health, join us to learn about one of the most important emerging threats to bees worldwide.

IN HIVE: Tropilaelaps workshop

Learn how to identify and detect one of the most significant emerging threats to honey bee health. This interactive workshop will give participants the opportunity to examine Tropilaelaps specimens and gain hands-on experience with the key detection techniques used by researchers and bee inspectors, including rapid brood decapping, the comb bump method, and the powdered sugar roll. Suitable for beekeepers, inspectors, researchers, and students, the workshop will provide practical skills that can be applied directly in surveillance and colony health monitoring programmes.

Maggie Gill is an entomologist and long-term beekeeper whose work focuses on honey bee health, pollinator nutrition, pests and diseases, and the resilience of pollination systems. She is the founder of PHIRA-Science, an independent research organisation delivering applied, field-based science shaped by the needs of beekeepers and other practitioners.

With more than twenty years of beekeeping experience, Maggie works at the interface between practice and research, addressing challenges that are often poorly served by conventional academic approaches. She is recognised internationally as a leading expert on Tropilaelaps mites, with her research advancing understanding of their biology, detection, and management, and informing preparedness for emerging threats.

Maggie collaborates widely with universities, research institutes, government bodies, and practitioner communities across Europe, North America, and Asia.

HONEY JUDGE

Val Hawthorne has been an active member of both the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association and the York County Beekeepers Association for the past 12 years. She maintains an average of 10 honey bee colonies and has developed a deep appreciation for honey bees that continues to grow each year.

Her beekeeping journey began with an unexpected encounter at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. While visiting the beekeeping information booth, she spotted the queen bee and immediately felt an unexplainable connection and calling to become a beekeeper—a passion that has shaped her life ever since.

For the past eight years, Val has served as a mentor to new beekeepers, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the craft. She has assisted with numerous bee removals through cut-outs and trap-outs, captured countless swarms, and has devoted many hours to educating the public. She has been a familiar face at both the Pennsylvania Farm Show and the York State Fair beekeeping information exhibits, where she enjoys introducing visitors of all ages to the fascinating world of honey bees and the importance of pollinators.

Val’s interest in honey show exhibiting and judging has become another rewarding chapter of her beekeeping journey. She began exhibiting at local and state fairs before expanding into competitive honey shows, where she has earned more than 40 ribbons for the quality of her exhibits. While working toward her certification, she spent two years observing honey show judging and two years actively exhibiting to gain experience and a thorough understanding of judging standards.

In August 2024, Val achieved her goal of becoming a Certified Honey Judge. She has now served as a Honey Judge for the past two years and is dedicated to encouraging excellence in honey show competition while helping educate and inspire exhibitors.

Through mentoring, public outreach, and judging, Val continues to promote beekeeping, encourage participation in honey shows, and support the next generation of beekeepers.

HONEY JUDGE

Amy Kaiser has spent the past 14 years keeping bees with her husband, Otto, learning and growing alongside their hives. Her journey in beekeeping has been guided by curiosity and a deep appreciation for the hard work and subtle lessons that bees provide. Over the years, Amy has come to value the community and camaraderie found within the world of beekeeping and honey shows.

In 2023, Amy was honored to receive the Reserve Grand Champion ribbon at the Hive Life Conference—a recognition that encouraged her to further explore the art of honey show judging. Grateful for the encouragement and support from fellow beekeepers, Amy is happy to share her experiences in preparing entries and hopes to offer practical advice to others.

WVDA STATE APIARIST

Topic: TBA

Shanda is the State Apiarist with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and is responsible for managing the WVDA Apiary Program throughout the state.  She works with beekeepers across West Virginia and is very involved in education through working with local beekeeping clubs, schools, and other organizations to increase awareness of the wonderful world of keeping honeybees.  Shanda is a graduate of West Virginia University’s Biology Department and also holds a master’s degree in biology from Missouri State University.   

Topic: Performing Colony Health Inspections and Recording the Details that Matter P.1

IN HIVE: Performing Colony Health Inspections and Recording the Details that Matter P.2

We inspect our colonies for different reasons and in different frequencies throughout the season. But regular and intentional colony health inspections can make or break a year worth of effort for a beekeeper. In this talk we review the important components of a colony health inspection and how keeping records of our observations can inform timely management and help avoid potential consequences.

Eric is the Apiculture Extension Educator and Apiary Manager at the University of Maryland Bee Lab. His work focuses on keeping healthy bees, outreach, education, and helping beekeepers make informed decisions using their own observations, monitoring techniques, and scientifically proven best management practices. In his off time, he runs a sideline beekeeping business called Backyard Apiaries, that provides apiary management services. In years past, he co-coordinated the Bee Informed Partnership’s Sentinel Apiary Program, a national citizen science program designed to help improve monitoring practices and establish essential skills for beekeepers of all levels. He is passionate about honey bee health, beekeeping, working with beekeepers, and in his free time enjoys learning about wild edible and medicinal plants, and mushrooms, enjoying time with his family, traveling, hiking, camping, and backpacking.

BIT PROGRAM

Topic: Beyond Honey: Turning Beeswax into Learning
How a simple beeswax candle can teach science, craftsmanship, and appreciation for the hive.

Melissa Mason is the founder of Homemade by Homeschoolers, a West Virginia-based business creating hands-on educational Maker Boxes and learning resources for families. As a homeschooling mother, she is passionate about inspiring curiosity, creativity, and meaningful learning experiences through nature, art, and hands-on discovery. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Melissa enjoys helping families connect, learn, and create together.

Topic: TBD

In 2010, after a twenty year career as a contractor and structural claims specialist, Randy began removing and relocating feral bee colonies from structures. As of the summer of 2026, he has done approximately eighteen hundred and fifty “Cut Outs” and approximately six to seven hundred swarm catches. These days Randy maintains ten colonies of his own and regularly works alongside large scale commercial beekeeping operations in the spring for queen rearing and nuc building endeavors before cut outs start up.

His family, including himself, his father and his brother, have run up to three hundred production colonies. Much of his work with bee removals includes mite load and disease resistance studies in feral or otherwise chemically untreated honey bee colonies. Much of this work is shared through YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to help educate, entertain, and inspire beekeepers around the world. His work can be found under the channel name 628DirtRooster with the tagline “Where Hobby Beekeeping Is a Way Of Life”.

BEE BEARD DEMONSTRATION

Topic: Healing from the Hive: The Power of Propolis

This presentation takes a closer look at propolis, the resinous substance bees use to protect the hive. We explore how it’s created, its medicinal value, and both traditional and modern applications. Participants will gain practical guidance on propolis collection, preparation methods, and formulations for home use.

Emily Mueller is a beekeeper, researcher, educator, and doctoral student in Integrative Health Sciences with over 13 years of beekeeping experience. She serves on the Board of Directors for the American Apitherapy Society and holds a Master Certificate in Herbal Medicine. Her work focuses on the intersection of bee health, apitherapy, herbal medicine, and integrative wellness. Through research, education, and hands-on experience, Emily helps connect people with the benefits of bees, natural products, and sustainable beekeeping practices.

Topic: Minimizing pesticide exposure to pollinators 

This presentation will cover basic concepts of pollination, pollinators, and practices that minimize pollinator exposure when applying pesticides.

Carlos Quesada is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at West Virginia University. His research interest is improving IPM programs to help growers produce high-quality crops in ways that are economically and environmentally sustainable. He also creates and presents educational material related to entomology and integrated pest management (IPM) for ornamentals, fruits, and vegetables. He also coordinates the Pesticide Education Program in the state.

Topic: Herbal Remedies from the Hive

Topic: Planting for Honeybees and Your Health

Kaylee is a Beekeeper, Herbalist, Homemaker, the published author of The Beekeeper's Apothecary, and the founder of the Bee Attuned mushroom blend. Based in Virginia, she embraces a life that blends many roles, finding joy in the balance each brings.

Her journey started with a desire to teach her children a grounded, intentional lifestyle—one that is often overlooked today. Alongside her family, she has created a life where they raise livestock, keep honey bees, grow their own food/herbs, forage for mushrooms, craft by hand, and cook nourishing meals.

Returning to nature has been a path of healing for Kaylee, and working with honey bees—the original herbalists—has deepened her understanding of health and well-being. She’s learned that, like bees, we thrive when we live in harmony with our environment.

Through The Honeystead on social media, Kaylee shares her journey, offering practical tips for living a life rooted in nature and growth. She believes in taking small steps toward healing and embracing the beauty of progress at your own pace while also inspiring others to “learn something old” and carry forward the wisdom of generations past.

SENIOR HONEY JUDGE

Mary Cahill-Roberts is a Master Beekeeper that has been involved with beekeeping since 2008. She is the owner of Swarm Chasers Apiaries and a Senior Honey Judge. She has served at the local and state level in various positions of Secretary through President, in Georgia. She recently relocated to North Carolina and is enjoying the ‘new’ challenges of beekeeping in the new microclimate. She is a member of the state organization and local club. She has maintained her apiaries by the Certified Naturally Grown method since the beginning. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and helping other beekeepers be better producers of hive products such as honey, wax, and comb. She speaks at the local, state and national level about bees and honey production, as well as judging honey shows. She strives to continue to improve her own knowledge of bees, hive products and Apitherapy.

9/17 Workshops: Queen Handling

Have you ever struggled with shaking hands or the fear of squishing when attempting to pick up a queen?  I know I have!

This is your opportunity to learn how to handle queen bees with grace and style. Virgin queens and marking pens will be provided. Gloves and veils are optional but queens generally don’t sting people. Queens will be alone in cages so no risk from attendants. Those who excel at holding the queens will also have the opportunity to learn to mark them. Bring your adventurous spirit and willingness to learn.

Topic: Fall Requeening (intermediate level)

Come one come all! Fall is on the horizon and we all know winter comes shortly after. In this workshop, we will discuss and demonstrate requeening. At times, a colony will produce well through the season and then show signs of lag or ill-health in the late summer or fall. Sometimes a new queen can give them a boost of fresh energy to fortify for winter survival. Learn to identify signs of queen aging or failure. Practice finding and removing the old queen. Get acquainted with push-in cages. Try your hand at removing attendants from jzbz cages for better acceptance when push in cages are not used. 

Topic: Long Live the Queen! Tips and Tricks (beginner level)

This is an in-person version of my popular talk that describes in detail the process of finding your queen. Have you ever struggled to locate her majesty? Do you have difficulty seeing eggs? Do your car keys always seem be in the last place you look? Allow me to share a wealth of simple wisdoms that I have collected from people and bees over the years. These tips and tricks can help you master the art of identifying queenrightness and locating the queen in your hive at home.

Tucka is a small scale commercial queen producer with 300-500 colonies in Central Florida. She got started in England in 2013 when a swarm flew away with her heart. Queens are the clock she runs her life by, but she also enjoys swarm catching, education and the occasional honey harvest. She has a particular fondness of open air hives and bee-related puns. Special thanks to mentors Sam Comfort and Mike Palmer for teaching her almost everything she knows about queen bees. Buzzbuzz!"

BIT PROGRAM KEYNOTE

Topic: Hives and Hexagons

Varieties of honey bees from around the world.

Elisha Grey Smith is a twelve year old student at Rose Hill Christian School in Ashland KY, a fifth generation beekeeper, the designer of the Bee Hacks EGS Robbing Guard and owner of Bee Hacks EGS LLC.

HONEY JUDGE

John Welty holds certifications as a Master Beekeeper from the University of Montana and the WVBA, is a West Virginia Master Gardener, was named the 2024 West Virginia Beekeeper of the Year, and is a certified American Honey Show Training Council honey show judge. He began beekeeping approximately 16 years ago when he and his wife Gail, a retired Veterinarian, decided to do their part to “Save the World” and help the suffering Honey Bee population by getting a couple of bee hives...  Their passion quickly (and exponentially) increased.

John, after retiring from the Automobile Industry, now spends his time completing his “farm chores” and managing his 20+ beehives on his WV Northern Panhandle farm. He and Gail proudly sell their Windswept Farm Wildflower Honey and other bee products throughout the Ohio Valley. John is passionate about bees and is always happy to pass some of his passion and knowledge onto others.