Candace Rose Casados, MBA President

Opening Welcome and Updates on the MBA

Candace Rose Casados is a dedicated beekeeper with 15 years of experience and a Master Beekeeping certification in progress. Her passion for honeybees began in childhood and has blossomed into a lifelong commitment to understanding and supporting these vital pollinators.

As a holistic nutritionist, Candace specializes in incorporating the medicinal and nutritional resources created by honeybees into her practice. She deeply values the intricate connection between honeybees and humans, advocating for sustainable practices that benefit both.

Through her work, Candace educates and inspires others to appreciate the essential role bees play in our ecosystem and the many ways their contributions enrich human health and well-being.

Keynote Speaker 

Dr. Judy Wu-Smart

Dr. Judy Wu-Smart (Associate Professor & Extension Specialist) received her MS at Washington State University under the advisement of Drs. Steve Sheppard and Carol Anelli and a PhD from University of Minnesota with Dr. Marla Spivak. She has been the director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bee Lab since 2015. At UNL, she and her team have been developing a robust pollinator health program for the Midwest region to help beekeepers, scientists, policy makers, and land managers understand the underlying stressors challenging bee health, such as improper management of pests and diseases and exposure to pesticides. Community engagement and promoting science literacy around these complicated farm-to-table issues are also key components of our research and extension education programs. To find more about our programs and training opportunities visit https://entomology.unl.edu/bee-lab and https://gpmb.unl.edu/ or follow us on Facebook.

Presentation:

Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program Overview: Teaching Apiaries and Online Resources

Speakers 

Heather Boerema

Heather Boerema has been keeping bees since 2014. She attributes her success in sustainable beekeeping , queen rearing and NUC production to Mel Disselkoen who was her mentor from day one. She maintains around seventy colonies and enjoys mentoring and encouraging new beekeepers. When not working bees or mentoring new beekeepers, Heather is a full time ER nurse at a West MI hospital and enjoys gardening and spending time with her family.

Presentation:

Presentation On the Spot Queen Rearing

Brad Cloutier

Brad Cloutier, owner at Decatur Ridge Apiaries, is a founding member of the Berrien Cass Beekeepers Club. He has been a beekeeper for 8 years, focusing on queen rearing and production.

Presentation:

Using Virgin Queens in Your Apiary

In this presentation I will show you why you should consider using virgin queens in your apiary and how to do it with success.

Ryan Dinehart

Ryan Dinehart has worked for USDA APHIS Wildlife Services as a Wildlife Specialist for five years. In 2023, he began a new role as part of Wildlife Services’ Congressionally funded Non Lethal Initiative, collaborating with cooperators to implement innovative strategies for mitigating black bear and beaver damage concerns. Ryan has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Biology and a Master of Science in Conservation Biology from Central Michigan University.

Presentation:

Fencing for Apiary Protection

As Michigan black bear populations grow, preparing beekeepers to handle interactions is important. Electrified fencing has proven to be an effective deterrent to keep black bears away from beehives. This presentation will provide an overview of electric fencing plans, supplies needed and the expected costs for beekeepers looking to protect their apiaries.

Mel Disselkoen

Mel Disselkoen was born on a farm in South Dakota. He grew up with an independent farming mentality of hard work and creative problem solving. A Master Beekeeper, he has kept bees for over 50 years and is familiar with all facets of beekeeping. Today Mel enjoys observing honeybee behavior and teaching beekeepers how to use his OTS queen rearing method to self-sufficiency reach their objectives. A creationist and naturalist, Mel sees the honeybee as an exquisitely-designed being that unites the plant and animal kingdoms and therefore he is devoted to its well-being and protection.

Presentation:

Presentation On the Spot Queen Rearing

Kim and John Haynes

Presentation:

This Keeping of Bees

How to bee-gin this fascinating journey — an overview of cost, commitment, location requirements, how to get going and more.

Ana Heck

Ana Heck is Michigan State University's apiculture extension educator. She learned beekeeping in Nicaragua while working with a nonprofit organization that led rural development projects. She later worked with the University of Minnesota Bee Squad and Michigan State University's Department of Entomology before joining Extension.

Her role engages beekeepers, growers, pesticide applicators, and home gardeners to improve the health of pollinators. Ana holds a master’s degree in public policy and a graduate minor in entomology from the University of Minnesota.

Presentation:

Identifying and Preparing for Tropilaelaps Mites

Tropilaelaps mites are a honey bee parasite that have not been found in the Americas. There is growing concern among beekeepers in the U.S. that the mite may some day find its way into our country, so beekeepers want to be prepared. Dr. Zachary Huang will cover tropilaelaps mite biology and identification. Ana Heck will present on preparation efforts among regulators and beekeepers and what you should do if you suspect tropilaelaps mites in your colonies.

Dr. Melissa Holahan

Dr. Melissa Holahan is a veterinarian, beekeeper, and small ruminant farmer based in Northville, Michigan. She began beekeeping in 2016, completed intermediate training in 2018, and now teaches honey bee health through various avenues. A graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, she completed a critical care residency before launching a mobile large animal practice focused on small ruminants and honey bees. She owns Chubb E. Acres Farm, LLC, specializing in dairy goats, and speaks nationally on sustainable agriculture, veterinary care, and her experiences as a farmer, veterinarian, and beekeeper.

Presentation:

Buzz-Worthy Partnerships: Collaborating with a Honey Bee Veterinarian

Honey bees are more than pollinators—they’re food-producing livestock requiring thoughtful veterinary oversight. This seminar explores how beekeepers and veterinarians can work together to promote hive health, navigate regulatory requirements, and manage common honey bee diseases. Attendees will gain insight into the veterinarian’s role in honey bee medicine, including diagnostics, prescriptions, and supporting sustainable apiary practices. Whether you're a backyard beekeeper or a commercial operator, learn how to build a productive partnership with a veterinarian to keep your colonies thriving.

Dr. Zachary Huang

Dr. Zachary Huang is an associate professor in entomology at Michigan State University. Zachary grew up in a small village in Hunan, China and went to college to study agriculture in the first batch of students following the cultural revolution. During the early 1980s, he received a scholarship to study honey bees in Canada, and in 1998, he came to MSU. Zach’s research includes stresses on honey bee behavior, physiology and colony performance, Nosema apis, Nosema ceranae, Varroa destructor, extreme temperatures, transportation, pollination, and pesticides. He blogs regularly about honey bee flowers at bees.msu.edu.

Presentations:

Identifying and Preparing for Tropilaelaps Mites

Tropilaelaps mites are a honey bee parasite that have not been found in the Americas. There is growing concern among beekeepers in the U.S. that the mite may some day find its way into our country, so beekeepers want to be prepared. Dr. Zachary Huang will cover tropilaelaps mite biology and identification. Ana Heck will present on preparation efforts among regulators and beekeepers and what you should do if you suspect tropilaelaps mites in your colonies.

The Biology of Honey Bee Foraging

Ever wondered how honey bees transition from in-hive tasks to foraging in the field? This presentation explores the fascinating lifecycle of a worker bee, focusing on the shift from nurse bee to forager. We’ll break down the different types of foragers, how many trips a bee can make in a day, and how long a bee remains in the foraging role. By understanding these dynamics, beekeepers can better manage their colonies and optimize honey production during the peak season. Whether you're a new beekeeper or an experienced one looking to deepen your knowledge, this session will shed light on one of the most crucial phases in a bee’s working life.

Dr. Adam Ingrao

Dr. Adam Ingrao is the Co-Founder and National Director for the Heroes to Hives program, leads the beekeeping education program at Bay Mills Community College, is an instructor for the Great Plains Master Beekeeping course, and serves as an Outreach Specialist at Michigan Food and Farming Systems. Dr. Ingrao also co-owns and operates Bee Wise Farms LLC, the largest producer of local nucs in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Presentation:

Discovering the Slovenian AŽ Hive Experience

Step inside Slovenia’s beekeeping tradition and see what makes the AŽ hive unlike any other. In this immersive session, you’ll take a virtual trip through Slovenian apiaries to experience their cultural roots, clever design, and practical advantages. Whether you’re a new beekeeper or a seasoned pro, you’ll come away inspired by a system built for both productivity and pleasure.

Nick Kaminski

Nick Kaminski is a first-generation beekeeper, and the owner/operator of Hickory Tree Farm Apiaries in Kent City MI. Nick has been keeping bees for 10 years and as a Marine corps Veteran has been a participant of and now instructs for Heroes to Hives. As the operator and beekeeper for HTFA Nick manages 100 migratory colonies Between Georgia and Michigan as well as producing queen bees and nucleus colonies for sale.

Presentation:

Mead Making

David Kazyak

David Kazyak has been immersed in beekeeping for over a decade, managing multiple apiaries across Livingston Co. that typically total around 50-60 hives each season. His work extends beyond honey production—each year he raises queens and nucleus colonies to strengthen and sustain resilient bee populations.

Mentorship is central to his approach, as he actively supports fellow beekeepers in refining their craft and overcoming the challenges of maintaining healthy colonies. For the past three years, David has served as the Michigan Beekeeping District 2 Representative, currently he is part of their leadership team in the VP role, advocating for sustainable practices and fostering a thriving beekeeping community.

His passion for pollinators extends into the garden, where he cultivates late-season nectar sources to ensure bees have essential forage well into the fall. Innovation drives his work: he designs and builds his own beekeeping equipment and continually explores new strategies to improve hive management and sustainability.

Most recently, David has taken on the role of Speaker Coordinator for A2B2, where he creates engaging topics and presenters to enrich the beekeeping community.

In addition to being a beekeeper, David is a hobby farmer cultivating 30+ fruits and vegetables which he supplies to family and neighbors. Other hobbies include bicycling and playing the banjo.

Presentation:

From Hobby to Sideline Income

In this talk, David will share practical tips and proven strategies for expanding your beekeeping operation from a backyard hobby into a rewarding sideline business. Drawing on over a decade of experience, he will highlight the challenges he faced along the way and the solutions that helped him successfully manage dozens of hives—without turning beekeeping into a full-time job. Attendees will gain insights into scaling apiaries sustainably, balancing time and resources, and building resilience in their colonies while keeping the joy of beekeeping at the center of the journey.

Joel Lantz

Joel Lantz is a Marquette, Michigan-based beekeeper, one of the founders of the Superior Beekeeping Club, and Michigan Beekeeper’s Association’s UP representative for many years. Although retired from the world of everyday work, he continues to follow his passion for education by spending his time raising, learning, and teaching all things bee. When not immersed in this 40 year pursuit, he spends time in the woods, makes rustic furniture, paints, writes and chases his grandkids—the next generation of beekeepers.

Presentation:

Sleeping with the Bees: The Hive House

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to be inside of a bee hive-or at least as close to it as you can get? Smell the aroma, hear the buzz, and feel the vibrations as you drift off to sleep. Come join us to learn about the wonders of a Hive House. What is this stingless form of apitherapy, how does it work, and where does it come from? A look at one of the few found in the United States.

Photo courtesy of Jan Lawson

Jan Lawson

Jan started beekeeping in the late 1960s when I was 14 years old. He really didn’t know what he was doing, so he learned by trial and error, which was much easier back then. There were very few bee clubs and he didn’t have a mentor,so when he got himself into serious trouble, Roger Hoopingarner was just a phone call away. Roger was always patient and rescued Jan many times. These days Jan is searching for the magic number of bee hives. That number where beekeeping is fun, especially on those hot summer days. He can occasionally be found at the Dadants Bee Store where he “works” part time. If he’s not there, he’s in the garden or in the bee yard.

Presentation:

Basic Bee Biology

Understanding the bees you’ll meet and their roles, lifecycle and how your colony will change across the seasons is key for success.

Dr. Meghan Milbrath

Dr. Meghan Milbrath is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at MSU, where she studies honey bee diseases, focusing on transmission risk and treatment. Dr. Milbrath is also a beekeeper - she began working bees over 25 years ago as a hobby, and since 2011, has run The Sand Hill Apiary, a small livestock and queen rearing operation in Munith, Michigan. She studied biology at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and received degrees in public health from Tulane University and the University of Michigan, where she focused on environmental health sciences and disease transmission risk. Meghan worked as a postdoctoral research associate at Michigan State University, studying nosema disease and in the honey bee lab at Swedish Agricultural University.

Presentation:

Dealing With Deadouts

Dead outs are an unfortunate part of beekeeping. In this talk we will discuss how to clean up a deadout, and how to make decisions on what to do with used equipment. This talk is a mix of science (what we know about disease risk), and management (how do we deal with disease risk in the real world).

Carolyn Miller

Carolyn Miller is the Arboretum & Invasive Species Coordinator for the Beal Botanical Garden & Campus Arboretum at Michigan State University. She maps all the trees and shrubs across campus and tackles the invasive plants in many of the natural areas on campus. She holds an MA in Biology from Miami University (Ohio) and is currently a master’s student in forestry at MSU. Her passion is getting native plants into urban landscapes to support pollinators and other fauna. In her spare time, she and her wife enjoy traveling, birding, botanizing (well, Carolyn enjoys that part), and photography.

Presentation:

Going Native for Pollinators: Attracting Pollinators to your Landscape

Many of our landscapes are filled with nonnative plants that were planted because that’s what everyone did. However, did you know that many of those plants don’t offer floral resources (nectar, pollen) for pollinators? Our landscapes have become sterile, but we can change that. Join me as we talk about the importance of native plants, the interconnectedness with native plants and insects, and what are some of those powerhouse plants that you can get into your landscape.

Adam Pachl

Adam Pachl is the North American Technical Manager for Bee Health for GreenLight Biosciences, the maker of Norroa. He has been with GreenLight since August of 2024, but prior to this he was the Assistant State Apiary Inspector for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture for 6 years. He lives in Mandan, North Dakota, where he manages two colonies with his 8-year-old son, Anson, and also helps manage colonies for the Dakota Zoo and Gateway to Science in neighboring Bismarck for educational purposes. When not working with or talking about bees Adam likes drumming, cooking, or being outdoors with his son, wife Sara, and two dogs Cora and Penny.

Presentation:

Norroa: A Novel Approach to Varroa Mite Control

Norroa is a next generation varroa control product that is reshaping how beekeepers control their mites. It works by targeting an essential protein in the varroa mite that ultimately prevents mite populations from building. Trials across thousands of colonies have shown that it keeps mite levels low longer than any other product on the market. And preventing mite buildup has led to higher overwintering success in field trials. With no off-target effects, no temperature restrictions, and no special PPE required, Norroa is quite possibly the easiest, safest mite control product on the market.

Mike Sautter

Mike has been a beekeeper for 25+ years. As an active sideline beekeeper with over 100 colonies, Michael’s knowledge has been acquired by doing hands-on work with the bees, including swarm collecting and removals, research, networking and attending numerous local & regional seminars. Several years ago after attending a Larry Connors queen rearing course in Detroit, he began rearing quality queens and nucs. Recently he earned his Kentucky Queen Breeders Certificate. In the last 15 years he has obtained breeder queens from various locations throughout the United States.

Michael is passionate about helping others in their quest for sustainable beekeeping, by providing support, encouragement and education, as well as being a source for quality locally bred queens and nucs.

Presentation:

Hive Inspections

Explores the basic fundamentals in inspecting a honeybee colony — from opening to closing, and everything in between, including a look at some common problems that new and seasoned beekeepers face.

Brian Walters

Brian Walters, current Kalamazoo Bee Club president, has been a beekeeper for six years. His journey into beekeeping started years ago when common milkweed voluntarily started to grow in his terrace garden. He encouraged it to prosper and loved seeing all the native pollinators and honey bees visiting. Things grew from there. Brian currently runs four hives on his urban farm, five at the Kalamazoo Nature Center and one in Kalamazoo at Wildwood. He is also co-instructor for KVCC's beekeeping program.

Presentation:

Way Forward

The beekeeping learning curve may seem formidable. Where do you go from here? What are key components of success?

Gordon Wardell

What started out as a hobby became a 40 year profession for Gordy Wardell. He worked for 12 years in international apicultural development then as an Extension Apiculturist at the University of Maryland. He established an R&D company where he developed the honey bee nutritional supplement, MegaBee®.

Gordy was also the Director of Pollination Operations for a California almond grower where he coordinated pollination for 40,000 acres of almond orchards.

In addition, he is a board member of Project Apis m., a science advisor to the Almond Board of California, and former lecturer at California Polytechnic University.

Presentation:

Nutrition