Texas Master Beekeeper Testing will be onsite the day before: Friday, October 9th. Contact Heather McBride: heather.mcbride@ag.tamu.edu

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Check-In + Beekeepers Coffee Courtesy of Dadant

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM: Welcome from the West Texas Beekeepers Guild We are excited for a day of learning, connection, and practical insights from one of the industry’s most respected voices.

8:45 AM - 9:45 AM Bob Binnie: Old comb and toxic chemical interactions in our colonies Renowned beekeeper Bob Binnie, is bringing our school a research based talk that you can't find on youtube. Please come be seated early - we will start on time.

10 AM – 10:45 AM: Beekeeping from the Ground Up - Growing your Apiary with Ethan West. A practical, inspiring session on building your apiary from the ground up, with strategies for growing healthy colonies, expanding responsibly, and creating a sustainable beekeeping operation. Ethan will teach beginner beekeepers what to focus on and how to play both defense and offense in the apiary. He will cover his bee equation, Texas seasons, equipment, and more. His talk is intended for beginners and will inspire beekeepers of all levels with his unique approach.

11:00 – 11:30 AM: Honey Industry Update with Dr. Garett Slater. Get a bird's eye view of what is happening within the honey industry and learn about AgriLife's diagnostic lab, which was a direct response to the recent honeybee losses.

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM Tasting with Master Craftsman Dodie Stillman and guest: A behind-the-scenes look at the latest developments in the honey industry, paired with a guided tasting led by Master Craftsman Dodie Stillman and a special guest.

12:15 – 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking (lunch is a BBQ sandwich with chips and tea, and is included in your ticket price - there are no food vendors onsite, so please plan ahead if alternative food is required)

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Seasonal IPM for Beekeepers with Greg Wilson
For beekeepers, understanding what pests are active, what crops are being treated, when applications are likely to happen, and where our bees are foraging can make the difference between being caught off guard and being prepared. Greg will walk through the agricultural calendar so beekeepers can begin anticipating pest pressure and potential pesticide applications before they happen.

2:15 – 4:00 PM: Bob Binnie: Feeding Bees
A practical deep dive into feeding bees—when to feed, what to feed, and how to make smart feeding decisions that support colony health, development, and honey production. With plenty of time for your questions for Bob.

Schedule subject to change.

6:30 PM - 8 PM - optional post-conference dinner with our speakers

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Check-In + Beekeepers Coffee
Courtesy of Dadant and Savannah Bee

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM: Intro to the Wild World of Beekeeping (101) TV's own Charlie Agar, of Charlie Bee Co

10:00 – 10:45 AM: Fall Hive Inspections and Splits: Preparing Colonies for West Texas Winters with Michael & Nikki Felcman of Saint Abigail Honey

11:00 – 11:45 AM: A Seasonal Approach to Honey Production: for home, market, and show with Tiffany Harelik, Hacienda Harelik Honey

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking (lunch is a BBQ sandwich, and is included)

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Removals Panel: Charlie Agar (Charlie Bee, Michael and Eli Felcman (Saint Abigail), Angela Steinhauer (TAIS)

2:15 – 3:00 PM: Drone Hunting: Dodie Stillman, TBA Past President

3:00 PM – 4PM: Medicinal Beekeeping with Dr. Ferhat Ozturk

(shop, bio break, refill water bottles)

4:30p-5:30p "Ask a Texas Master Beekeeper" with Omar Martinez, Apiculture Program Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension