Des Moines – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged Iowans interested in beekeeping to enroll in the 2009 beekeeping schools.  Each year the Iowa Honey Producers Association (IHPA) holds beekeeping courses across the state to help those interested in beekeeping get started. “These courses provide an excellent opportunity for new beekeepers or those who are interested in getting started to learn from experienced beekeepers who take care of their bees right here in Iowa, with our seasons and environment,” Northey said.  “The timing and content of the coursework aims to help you become prepared and confident just in time for your bees to arrive this spring.” There are currently about 1,500 beekeepers in Iowa that manage around 30,000 colonies of honeybees.  These honeybees produce well over 3 million pounds of honey annually, valued at $3.5 million for each of the last five years.  More importantly, honeybees are responsible for the pollination of many Iowa crops.  Field and horticultural crops, home gardens and plants eaten by wildlife are dependent on bee pollination for the production of their fruits, nuts and seeds.  The economic value of honeybees as crop pollinators in Iowa has been estimated at $92 million annually.   A tentative list for 2009 beekeeping classes follows here:  City Start Date Course Time Meeting Location Contact Knoxville Jan 6 Tues. thru March 3 at 6:30PM Knoxville library Craig Greene:  (641) 842-2112 Indianola Jan 6 Tues. thru March 3 at 6:30PM Indianola library Mike Wyatt: (515) 961-0357 Cedar Rapids Jan 22 8 sessions Indian Creek Nature Center Indian Creek Nature Center: (319) 362-0664 Winterset Jan 26 Thurs. thru March 5 (no class on Feb 26) Winterset library Pat Randol: (515) 210-7445 Ankeny Jan 29 7 to 9 for six weeks DMACC Lois Kiester, DMACC: (515) 964-6685 Marshalltown Feb 5 7 to 9 for six weeks   Jean Brownlie, Iowa Valley Continuing Education: (800) 284-4823 or (641) 752-4645 Ex-5607 Washington mid - late Feb 4 weeks Kirkwood Kirkwood: (800) 352-8833 to enroll or Ron Wehr for information: (319) 698-7542 Spencer March     Larry/Marlene Boernsen: (712) 735-4205 Mason City February 21 - March 14 Saturday mornings, 9 AM - 12 noon NIACC, Murphy Center, Room 154 Andrew Joseph: (515)725-1481 To enroll, contact the course instructor fees range between $30 and $60 depending on location.  For more information, contact Andrew Joseph, State Apiarist, at (515) 725-1481or andrew.joseph@iowaagriculture.gov with any questions or for further details.  You may also check out the Iowa Honey Producers Association (IHPA) website and online monthly newsletter at www.abuzzaboutbees.com. - 30 -