Learn about the 2024 Bee Symposium at FDLTCC

CLOQUET, MN – The Environmental Institute at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) and Northeast Minnesota Beekeepers Association (NEMNBA) are delighted to invite the community to the 2023 Bee Symposium on Saturday, February 11, at FDLTCC.  During the in-person event, participants will learn everything from beginning beekeeping to overwintering techniques.  Learn more about the 2023 Bee Symposium at https://fdltcc.edu/event/2023-bee-symposium/.

The 2023 Bee Symposium will include presentations from esteemed guest speakers, a Fire Cider making demonstration and much more. Dr. Becky Masterman will provide a keynote on Habitat, Honey Production and History. Dr. Masterman led the Bee Squad program from 2013-2019 and served as a Director of the MHPA Board for 6 years. She currently manages her own apiaries and co-writes the Minding Your Bees and Cues with the current Bee Squad Program Director, Bridget Mendel, for Bee Culture Magazine.

The event will also feature a keynote from Dr. Barry Brown. Dr. Brown has extensive research and education on overwintering techniques for northern climates such as Minnesota. Based out of Saskatchewan, Dr. Brown has been building cold climate boxes and studied many different techniques to ensure the health and virility of hives.

Other 2023 Bee Symposium highlights include:

  • Jessica Helgen, a member of the University of Minnesota Bee Squad, will speak on Honey Bee Nutrition.
  • Elise Bernstein from the UMN Bee Squad will highlight the importance of Bumblebees and Native bees in Minnesota.
  • Meghan Milbrath, coordinator of the Michigan Pollinator Initiative will speak to Beekeeping 101 in Northern Climates with her lecture titled: “This will be the year”.
  • Cristina Weske, supervisor at Na’enimonigamig, the Fond du Lac Kitchen and Cannery located on Fond du Lac Reservation will be hosting a hands-on demonstration in which participants will make Fire Cider (an herbal tonic said to increase immunity, help with digestion, and warm you up on a cold day.)
  • Jenny Warner, a founding member of the UMN Bee Squad, will speak about the trials and tribulations of Varroa Mite Management.

Tickets for the 2023 Bee Symposium are $30 each and can be purchased in advance at https://tempotickets.com/Bee23 or at the door with cash or check on February 11. Anyone that becomes a member of NEMNBA will receive $5 off the price of admission. To become a member, visit https://www.nemnba.org/become-a-member/.

For more information on the 2023 Bee Symposium, please visit https://fdltcc.edu/event/2023-bee-symposium/ or contact Courtney Kowalczak, Director of the Environmental Institute at FDLTCC, at courtneyk*AT*fdltcc.edu.

Learn more about the Bee Symposium

Register for the 2023 Bee Symposium

Become a NEMNBA Member

Testimonials

My favorite thing about FDLTCC is the people. I’ve met fantastic students, faculty and staff who go above and beyond what I expected.

It is awesome here at the FDLTCC Education Program because it is like a family here, if you need help or are struggling with anything, you have quite a few people who will help you out.

I chose FDLTCC because of its size and the curriculum. When I first came here in 2019, I was just looking for what I needed to volunteer, perhaps in a crisis shelter. I met with Don Jarvinen, and the rest is history.