Country Creek Honey

06/14/2026

Shawnee N. Beekeeping class #6: Integrated pest management for varroa mites. Understanding and managing varroa is unarguably the most important aspect of modern beekeeping success.
Wednesday, June 17, 6:30-8 PM, Shawnee N. Community Center. Please try to register before the class. https://parks.snco.us
Open Teaching Apiary: Sunday June 21st 1:30 - 3:00 PM Notify Becky if you'd like to attend.

06/07/2026

We kept an out-yard for a number of years at a farm west of Hwy75 (west of Hoyt). We are downsizing and gave up that location. It is a lovely farm with abundant wildflowers. It was a good honey location for us. The owners miss the bees and wondered if anyone would be interested in establishing an out yard again. Call me and I’ll provide the contact information.

05/18/2026

Shawnee N. Community Center Beginning Beekeeping class will meet this Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 6:30-8:00 PM. Our topic this month is diseases and pests of the hive. Not a fun topic but an important one for hive health. Please register at Shawnee County Parks + Recreation
Want to know what's wrong with this picture? Come to class and I will tell you all how we REALLY messed up! LOL

04/20/2026

What a great day for open apiary. Thanks to everyone who joined us today.

04/11/2026

Beginning Beekeeping Class #4 (2026) at Shawnee N. Community Center is April 15, 6:30 -8:00 PM. (300 NE 43rd St., Topeka). Our topic this month is getting ready for summer! We'll talk about supering. Please register with Shawnee County Parks + Recreation.
Our next open teaching apiary will be the following Sunday, April 19th 1:30- 3:00 PM. Please let Becky know if you'd like to participate. Veils are required (I have one you can borrow)

03/13/2026

NOTICE— changing open apiary to Saturday (3/21) at 1:30. Better weather! Let me know if you plan to attend.

Our third Beginning beekeeping class at Shawnee N. Community Center is this Wednesday, March 18th 6:30-8 PM. Please register with Shawnee Co. Parks and Rec. The following Sunday, March 22nd will be our first Open Teaching Apiary here at the farm (weather permitting) 1:30-3:00pm. You must contact me if you wish to attend the open apiary. Thank you Cheryl Burkhead for creating this caricature of Steve and me...Its pretty funny (even if they did refer to us a 'elderly' beekeepers). This month's topics include first inspections, splitting hives, and all the questions.

02/16/2026

The Kansas Honey Producers Association is planning the November 2026 conference and is looking ahead to future events. We're reaching out to anyone keeping bees--hobbyists, sideliner, and commercial operators! If you keep bees in Kansas or nearby, your perspective matters. Please take this 5 minute survey. This survey closes Feb. 20.

KHPA is gathering feedback from Kansas beekeepers to help guide future conference planning. Your responses will directly shape conference location, format, and educational content. Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your input.

02/15/2026

Our next Beginning Beekeeping Class at Shawnee N. Community Center is Wednesday, Feb. 18th @ 6:30 PM. Our topic this month--Equipment and Acquiring bees. We always have time for questions! Come and join us! (You can register for this FREE class at Shawnee Co. Parks and Rec.) This pic is maple buds. The bees work maples and willows as their first nectar and, more importantly, pollen source. Thank you Cheryl Burkhead for another excellent pic!

01/26/2026

Look what’s happening at NE KS Beekeepers

01/14/2026

Our first Shawnee County Beginning Beekeeping Class will be Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 6:30-8:00 PM at the Shawnee N. Community Center (300 NE 43rd St.). You can register for the class through Shawnee Co. Parks and Rec. The class is free but please preregister. This class will focus on honey bee biology. Understanding biology is the basis of modern beekeeping. Each month we will tackle a timely topic. Let me know if you have questions. Message me for a class schedule. Becky