by Jimmie Oakley The Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology held a “groundbreaking” ceremony for the new Texas Honey Bee Lab Facility on Friday morning, July 24, 2009, on the Riverside Campus off State Highway 47 in Bryan, Texas.
 It was attended by distinguished members of Texas A&M University, the Entomology Department, the Texas Beekeepers Association, various local beekeeper association, and the company and contractors responsible for the construction of the building.
There was an immediate question by all in attendance as to what was really going on, because instead of breaking ground on the new facility, a partly completed building stood before us with men working laboriously as we spoke. There was an 8 foot, 2x6 beam, that lay on a table in front of the speakers podium; so maybe it was a “beam raising”. But no, the contractor indicated there was now no need or place for the particular piece of wood that lay before us. It was finally suggested that because of the size and length of the wooden plank that it was a “stud signing”, and that is what we did.
The dignitaries, the association officers, the contractors and the local association representatives all took their turn affixing their name and comments to the a-fore-mentioned piece of timber with much flare, pomp and show.  
The signing was preceded by opening remarks from Dr. Kevin Heinz with the Entomology Department, Dr. Larry Boleman on behalf of Dr. Mark Hussey, Vice
Chancellor and Dean, Dr. John G. Thomas, former professor and major contributor and TBA President, Todd Youngblood, on behalf of the Texas Beekeeping Industry.
After the signing, many were given the opportunity to take a quick tour of the Facility as is, to get a feel for the size and scope of the building. With concrete floors, no roof, and only stud walls the framework was very large and airy; but add a roof , some sheetrock, doors and windows, and it will take on a official look. 
A noon buffet was prepared at the College Station Hilton Hotel for all who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Dr. Mark Hussey was on hand and make some remarks about the accomplishment of all those involved in the fund raising campaign.
Dr. Tanya Pankiw, Associate Professor, Dept of Entomology, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Texas beekeepers in finally reaching the goal of building a lab for beekeeping research at A&M.
Last Updated (Tuesday, 15 September 2009 20:24)
by Randy Johnson, Area 4 Hello Texas Beekeepers, I want to update everyone on how 2009 is going for Johnson Honey & Bee Farm. We received the bees back from California in the middle of March and were very pleased at the shape that the bees were in. At that time, we started making up nucs and shaking some packages of bees to sell. The spring nectar flow started out looking good, but then the rain set in. We got about 20 inches of rain right at a time that we didn’t need it, cutting our chances of some early honey. We had to start feeding the nucs to keep them growing and putting on Hivastan and Tylan for the bees going to South Dakota. However, we are optimistic that we can catch a crop on the clover and alfalfa.
I am sure by now most of you know that Johnson Honey & Bee Farm is also a honey packer. Our honey-packing business seems to be growing more and more each year. We pack everything that we produce in Texas and South Dakota and our demand still requires us to buy additional honey. We are thankful for that, as right now, it is what is paying the bills. With the price of fuel and the failing economy, times have been hard for everyone I know. I once had an old timer tell me that if I would park my trucks, I could probably make some money. He was probably right!
Well I hope that 2009 so far has found my fellow beekeepers well and that it continues to do so. May the bees keep buzzing and the honey keep flowing! God bless! Best Regards,
Randy Johnson
Johnson Honey & Bee Farm
Paris, Texas
Last Updated (Saturday, 12 September 2009 14:52)
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by Todd Youngblood Dear Friends, My family and I have just returned from a great trip to College Station.
We have begun construction on the Honey Bee Research Facility at Texas A&M. On Friday July 24, 2009, we held a stud signing ceremony at the site of the building. The stud signed by everyone in attendance, will be on display inside the building once it is completed. We have tentatively set the date for the TBA Winter Delegate’s Meeting, along with a possible grand opening of the Facility, on February 20, 2010. We will have more details for you as construction progresses.
As we bring this part of the process to a close, it is time to start looking forward as to the next phase of our relationship with TAMU. We will not be able to sit back and wait for the fruits of our labor to come. We will need to be involved in the decision making of what we think needs to take place there. Afterall, we are the major stakeholders and deserve a big seat at the table. I will be in contact with Dr. Heinz and others as to suggestions for potential ideas for research. This is a process that will require a lot of help from all involved. I hope you will be willing to help when I or whoever may call on you to help make a push for certain projects that the industry finds important. We have come a long way since I was first approached by Mr. John Milam to serve on the fund raising committee for the Facility. It is no time to sit back and rest.
As the summer wears on, your TBA Board of Directors are preparing for the Annual Convention. I am sure you know by now that the Convention will be held in Tyler this year. I hope you are making plans to come and share a few days with friends and hopefully glean a few pieces of information from the programs that will be presented. I always feel that my days spent at conventions are well worth the effort it takes to get there. I hope you feel the same. Look for the finalized program agenda in the next issue of the Journal.
As I mentioned, the summer continues to wear on here in South Texas. We are in the midst of the driest 23 month period since record keeping began in the late 1800's. Despite the harsh conditions of the country, our bees seem to be holding up quite well in the current state. We have been feeding a lot of sugar syrup with essential oils mixed in. I have only recently begun feeding pollen substitute as the signs of natural pollen have all but dried up. I hope your part of the country is in better shape than mine.
Last Updated (Tuesday, 15 September 2009 20:19)
 The East Texas Beekeepers Association has a new honey queen, 16
year-old, Miss Kellie Lenamond. Kellie was crowned by the 2004 ETBA Honey Queen, Miss Connie Collins at the ETBA meeting on the TJC West Campus February 5, 2009.
Kellie is the daughter of Tammy and Mike Lenamond and is the oldest of six children. Kellie and her family live in Wills Point, Texas on 20 acres. They have a vegetable garden, dogs, cows, pigs and of course, honey bees.
She is a junior and has been home schooled by her mother since the first grade. She is also taking two college courses at Trinity Valley Community College in Terrell, Texas.
Kellie is active in her local church, singing in the youth choir and helping to direct the children’s choir and programs. Her talents include playing the violin, mandolin and guitar.
She and her father became interested in bees about three years ago.
She took a beekeeping class in Collin County taught by John Talbert
and she is currently taking a refresher couse in Chapel Hill taught by
Dick Counts.
She has six active, healthy hives to care for and with the help of her
father, extracts honey which she uses to cook special recipes for her
family and friends. In her recipes, she substitutes honey for sugar.
Kellie’s goal is to represent the ETBA by promoting the value,
preservation and public education of the honey bee and pure natural honey.
ETBA’s long term goal of supporting a honey queen is to help educate young ladies to become valuable beekeepers and to become model citizens of the community. Our association will support them to compete for the Texas Honey Queen if they desire; which gives them the benefit of a scholarship to help further their education.
Last Updated (Tuesday, 14 July 2009 11:56)
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Saturday, 12 September 2009 15:48 | 
