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Join Tama County Women, Land & Legacy for its upcoming event, “The Buzz on Iowa Beekeeping.” It will be held on Monday, June 6, at the Tama Civic Center, 305 Siegel Street in Tama. Registration and dessert will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the event beginning at 7:00 p.m.

This event is free and open to the general public, both women and men. An RSVP is preferred by June 3 by phoning 641-484-2702, ext. 3 or by emailing melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net. Masks are optional but encouraged.

The evening will feature Iowa State Apiarist Andy Joseph, and Jim and Penny Dolezal of Dolezal Honey Bees, rural Tama.

Jim Dolezal was interested in beekeeping for several years before purchasing his first bees nearly eight years ago. The Dolezals’ initial 10-hive venture yielded a five-gallon bucket of honey. Throughout the years, they have grown their operation from ten hives to over 100. Now a typical harvest yields several thousand pounds of honey. Beeswax is rendered from the Dolezals’ hives. Penny enjoys crafts and uses their operation’s wax to make candles, soaps, lotions and other products. Jim and Penny are members of the Iowa Honey Producers and founded and administer Tama County Beekeepers. This group of local beekeepers benefits from peer communication, equipment exchange and the power of bulk input purchases.

Tama County Women, Land & Legacy began in 2007, as part of a statewide USDA outreach project. This is the local group’s 42nd event. Nearly 400 individuals from in and around Tama County have attended at least one event of the group’s events. Women, Land & Legacy is currently active in 39 Iowa counties and brings together Iowans interested in agriculture, local food and natural resources to converse, listen and become empowered for involvement on their landscape and in their communities.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact Larry Jones 641-484-2702, ext. 3, at least 48 hours prior to the event or dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender. USDA and Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability.