MBA Spring Conference

The MBA Spring Conference, hosted by the Michigan Beekeepers Association, is a comprehensive event dedicated to promoting pollinator health and community involvement. The conference takes place at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in Lansing, United States. This year's theme is the Trees for Pollinators program, which is now in its fifth year. The event invites local bee clubs, garden clubs, pollinator groups, arborist organizations, schools, and local communities to join in the distribution of trees. Participants will have the opportunity to purchase potted plants ranging from one to two gallons, as well as two-foot to three-foot bareroot trees at a cost of $20 each. Planting bareroot trees is emphasized as a beneficial practice that helps them adapt to existing growing conditions.In addition to tree distribution, the conference will feature workshops and webinars aimed at educating the community about the importance of pollinators. One highlighted resource is the bilingual activity book titled I Spy with all 5 Eyes, a project led by Charlotte Hubbard with contributions from Kimi Baker and illustrated by Carolyn Fink. This engaging book is designed to teach children and adults alike about the crucial role of pollinators, particularly the honeybee (Apis mellifera), through fun activities and educational facts. Attendees can order a box of 48 books for $45, which includes free shipping, or purchase two copies for $5 each. The conference will also include presentations from experts in the field, such as Mike Connor discussing Pollinator Trees and Shrubs and a special session on Frontiers in Apitherapy, which covers the history and science behind psilocybe-infused Blue Honey. Moreover, there will be a case study presented by the Michigan State University Department of Entomology, focusing on establishing large-scale pollinator habitats on marginal farmland through the National Resource Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program in southern Michigan. This case study illustrates effective strategies for enhancing pollinator health through habitat creation. Participants will also receive practical advice on keeping bees safe from bears, including bear fence plans provided by the Michigan DNR and insights from Scientific Beekeeping. The MBA Spring Conference serves as an essential gathering for beekeepers and pollinator advocates, fostering community engagement and education to support the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystem.