2026 BIG BEE BUZZ

CONFERENCE AGENDA

Event schedule will be finalized soon and posted here.

Conference Speakers include:

Jerry Hayes, Editor, Bee Culture Magazine, a publication with a rich history dating back over a century. Jerry has held various roles in the beekeeping community, including serving as a state apiary inspector in Florida. He is recognized for his expertise in honey bee health and his ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to a broad audience.

Greg Rogers operates Haw Creek Honey Company, based in Ashville, NC, managing approximately 350–400 colonies primarily for honey production and apple pollination. Greg is a frequent speaker at state and national beekeeping conferences, sharing his extensive knowledge on practical colony management, innovative pest control methods, and his collaboration on oxalic acid research with NC State University.

Isabell Dyrbye-Wright holds a Master's graduate in Entomology from the University of Minnesota, working under the guidance of Dr. Marla Spivak. Her research focuses on strategies to enhance colony health by exploring honey bee resistance mechanisms against pathogens and parasites, with a focus on Varroa.

Barbara Bloetscher served as the State Apiarist and Entomologist for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, where she played a pivotal role in ensuring the health of honey bee populations across the state. With over three decades of experience in beekeeping, Barb was instrumental in developing and implementing programs to support local beekeepers and promote pollinator health. She remains an active advocate for honey bee conservation and education.