Speakers

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  Tina Sebestyen VP, CO State Beekeepers Assn
  

  Tina Sebestyen

  VP, CO State Beekeepers Assn

  Tina keeps bees in top bar, Langstroth, and long Langstroth hives. She learned beekeeping from wonderful “old guy” mentors, as well as through mentoring others as the founder of the Four Corners Beekeepers Assoc. She runs 20- 30 colonies, and depending on the year, produces queens, nucs, or honey, does structural bee removals, and has raised queens for a commercial beekeeper. She is past vice president of the Colorado State Beekeepers Assoc. and is the architect and former program director of the Colorado Master Beekeeper Program. She is a frequent contributor for the American Bee Journal and Bee Culture magazines with over 30 articles in each (along with some bee journals from abroad) from her farm in SW Colorado. She can be reached at [email protected]

• 

  Zac Lamas Researcher
  

  Zac Lamas

  Researcher

  Dr. Zac Lamas – Zac is a visiting researcher at UMBC where he runs the honey bee disease ecology lab. He focuses on how Varroa feeding behavior drives viral transmission in a honey bee colony. His previous work uncovered that the ideal adult bee host for Varroa was misidentified for nearly 30 years. Varroa actually aggregate on adult drones and only shift onto worker bees when drones seasonally disappear from a colony. He is now using his previous findings and weaponizing that information against Varroa. Our hope is to create an effective bait trap for cost-effective Varroa control. He also continues to work under Dr. Jay Evans through ORISE where they identify hazards impacting honey bee health. Zac previously worked for Michael Palmer at French Hill Apiaries in Saint Albans, Vermont. On the side Zac manages about 60 colonies. He produces quality nucleus colonies and queens in central Maryland.

• 

  Cory Stevens Stevens Bee Company
  

  Cory Stevens

  Stevens Bee Company

  Cory Stevens comes to us from his 27 acre farm in Bloomfield, MO, which he manages for wildlife and pollinator habitat. Cory and his wife Jaime own Stevens Bee Company where they select for mite resistant VSH stock. Cory is a Past President of Missouri State Beekeepers Association, and earned a MS in entomology from University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He was certified as a Master Beekeeper by EAS in 2013, and trained by Sue Cobey in 2014 to instrumentally inseminate queen bees. He slips bees into random conversation with strangers, and annoys his wife by constantly talking about bees.

• 

  Charles Linder BeeCause Alliance Director and Commercial Beekeeper
  

  Charles Linder

  BeeCause Alliance Director and Commercial Beekeeper

  Charles Linder serves as a Director for The BeeCause Alliance and is a commercial beekeeper specializing in pollination, currently providing services for 15,000 acres of produce. A retired engineer with over a dozen patents, he brings a unique blend of technical expertise and agricultural knowledge to his beekeeping practice.

  Charles is passionate about supporting sustainable farming practices and the vital role that bees play in our ecosystem. He continues to inspire others by promoting awareness of the importance of pollination in agriculture.

• 

  Eugene Makovec Editor of American Bee Journal
  

  Eugene Makovec

  Editor of American Bee Journal

  Eugene Makovec is Editor of American Bee Journal, and a 30-year-third-generation hobbyist beekeeper with about a dozen colonies. He is a past President of Three Rivers Beekeepers, has been active in several other local clubs and the Missouri State Beekeepers Association, and is a two-time Missouri Beekeeper of the Year (2006 and 2015).

  In 2015, Eugene spearheaded a successful legislative effort to deregulate the sale of honey in Missouri — removing honey from the “jams and jellies” law (and beekeepers from their “food processor” status) and thus enabling thousands of the state’s beekeepers to sell their product through retail outlets without benefit of a commercial kitchen.

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  Cathy Misko President, JoCoMO Beekeepers Assn
  

  Cathy Misko

  President, JoCoMO Beekeepers Assn

  Cathy Misko, Centerview, MO., Cathy is a “Mama” of 8 and for 37 years, she is known as the “Bee Lady”, ever since a swarm of bee “chose” her in 1989, when she was gardening with a baby strapped onto her back! Cathy is President of the Johnson County MO Beekeepers Assn; Founder, Heartland Beekeeping Partnership; Past President, Midwestern Beekeepers (Kansas City area); served as Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. first Legislative Liaison; and is in her 5th year as founding editor of the Apiary Buzz newsletter. Cathy has a passion for education and has launched various clubs’ Beekeeping Youth Scholarship Programs, conducts beekeeping workshops including to veterans for the national Camp Valor Outdoors, assisted with passage of two Missouri beekeeping laws including consultation for friendly beekeeping city codes, and chairs the JCMBA Youth Scholarship Program. While maintaining a focus on genetics, she practices “as natural as possible” management with a commitment to IPM, stewards 50 colonies, and has been “chemical free” for 17 years. Cathy is an Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS) Certified Master Beekeeper, EAS Life Member, and enjoys digging in dirt, mentoring, sharing sweetness from the Dancing Bees Ranch, and loving on her family, especially her physician hubby of 46 years and their 14 grands!

  Topics:

  37 Years with the Bees: 17 Years Chemical Free, Cathy Misko, EAS Master Beekeeper: This presentation will cover the when, why, and how chemical free beekeeping was established at Dancing Bees Ranch, Centerview, MO. A present chemical free management update will be given.

  Colony Installation and Package/Nuc Management: Steward for Success, Cathy Misko, EAS Master Beekeeper: Step-by-step instructions covering: ways to install package bees (including during inclement weather), successful care for a newly housed colony of bees, how to feed them, when to put on the next hive body (rule of 7), and when to add honey supers. Nuc installation and management will also be addressed for success.

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  Dave Loftin Education Director for Bees Alive Club; Programs Director for MSBA
  

  Dave Loftin

  Education Director for Bees Alive Club; Programs Director for MSBA

  Willing to drive 45 miles from Nixa MO
  Beekeeping for 30 years
  Willing to teach on
  Comb Honey – History and Production
  Trees For Bees
  Swarm Trapping and Collection

  As a boy, Dave watched his grandfather tending beehives. Dave’s first opportunity with bees of his own came after college when he found a swarm in a whiskey barrel at a garden supply store in Rochester, NY. He found local beekeepers to ask advice from and soon joined the Rochester Beekeepers Club. Back then, Dr. Richard Taylor was a local professor and frequent speaker at the club. Dave learned how to produce comb honey as well as many other things from him.

  These days, Dave lives on 10 acres outside Nixa, Missouri with his wife Paula. The property has several varieties of trees beneficial to honeybees. Dave is actively planting more varieties of trees and other plants for pollinators. He is a member of the Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks and is actively involved with the Bees Alive Club in Nixa, where he is both a member and serves on the Board. He is also a member of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association, serving on its Board and as Programs Director.

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  Ericka Clark Owner of Asali Gold Honey; President SoMOBK of Monett
  

  Ericka Clark

  Owner of Asali Gold Honey; President SoMOBK of Monett

  Ericka Clark is the owner of Asali Gold Honey and has been involved in beekeeping since 2010. “My journey into beekeeping began through exposure. My father and husband kept bees, and I sought to join them and have a more hands-on experience in this remarkable field.”

  With the support of friends and her proactive approach, she has expanded her offerings beyond honey sales to include a diverse range of products made from honey and beeswax. Additionally, she has served as the president of the Monett Bee Club for eight years.

• 

  Frank Schauer Owner/Operator; Mid-River Transport
  

  Frank Schauer

  Owner/Operator; Mid-River Transport

  Frank Schauer is a regenerative farmer with a truck. He farms in Ohio and Florida. He has a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting/telecommunications engineering. He was formerly employed at Bell Labs and Verizon Wireless.

  Frank Schauer has been an owner-operator with a semi-truck and multiple trailers since 2017. He began commercial bee transportation in 2021. He is a member of the American Beekeeping Federation.

• 

  Jane Isabel Sueme Owner/Operator of Isabee's
  

  Jane Isabel Sueme

  Owner/Operator of Isabee's

  I have been keeping bees since 2004, became a Walter T. Kelley equipment dealer and opened Isabee’s Beekeeping Supplies in 2009, currently in Fenton (St. Louis County). I received Master Beekeeper certification from University of Montana Continuing Education in 2016 and Cornell University (e-Cornell) in 2023.

  Along with my partner, Scott Klein, we engage in a wide range of activities in the local beekeeping community including retail equipment sales, education and out-reach, client consulting, and management for 40+ honey bee colonies, for honey, queen breeding and starter colony production and as well observation hive management.

  I have been a board member of the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association from 2004 to 2011, Communications Coordinator for the Heartland Apicultural Society in 2012-2013, and as a founding member of both the St. Louis Beekeepers Club and BeeSpeakSTL Speaker Series in 2012.

  As co-founder of St. Louis Beekeepers Club, I have been tasked as coordinator for the SSA (Sustainable Stock Apiary) Queen rearing group, receiving grant funding from USDA-SARE in 2017 and in 2022, where a small group of farmer/ranchers raise sustainable queens with local drone stock, available to the St. Louis area beekeepers.

• 

  Jeff Maddox President, Beekeepers Assn of the Ozarks
  

  Jeff Maddox

  President, Beekeepers Assn of the Ozarks

  Jeff Maddox is the Owner of 417Bees.com based in Rogersville, Missouri where he sells nucs, honey, and performs cutouts all around the Springfield, MO region. Jeff has a degree in Wildlife Management and Forestry and has worked for Federal, state and private natural resource agencies. He applies his science background and love of nature to his beekeeping operation of about 150 colonies. He has done cut-outs for 25 years in Missouri and Indiana. He is a member of the Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks in Springfield, MO and the current president. He was the founding president of the Indiana Native Plant Society. He is a Master Candidate in the Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program. He also teaches dance two nights a week.

  Jeff Maddox. [email protected] 317-698-8088

• 

  Kyle Day MSBA President Elect
  

  Kyle Day

  MSBA President Elect

  Kyle Day started beekeeping in 2014 when he received a scholarship from the Midwestern Beekeepers Association. His passion for beekeeping soon turned into a passion of helping fellow beekeepers. Kyle soon started assisting Midwestern beekeepers by mentoring other scholarship students, writing monthly articles, and presenting in beginner beekeeping courses. In 2017 Kyle was Missouri State Beekeepers Association first Honey Ambassador, helping represent MSBA, and taught beekeeping across the state of Missouri for a year. In 2018 Kyle opened Sunny Day Beekeeping, helping local beekeepers to quick access of equipment and supplies. Since 2018 Kyle has held various MSBA Board positions and is currently the MSBA Education and Programs Chairperson. Kyle was the 2022 Missouri State Fair Apiculture Contest Grand Champion, the 2023 Eastern Apiculture Society Mann Lake Youth Scholarship recipient, and attended EAS 2023 where some of the ideas of MO BEE Day originated from. Kyle currently keeps between 30-50 hives. Outside of Beekeeping Kyle is the Manager and Mechanic at Richmond Bowl, City Aldermen and Planning and Zoning Chairperson for the City of Henrietta, while attending the University of Central Missouri, working toward his degree in Agriculture Education. Outside of Beekeeping, work, and classes, you can usually find Kyle with his friends and family. Kyle loves the outdoors and is an avid camper, fisherman, and thanks to his girlfriend Vivian, he is currently learning how to ride horses as well.

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  Melissa Sostman Owner / VIA Honeybees
  

  Melissa Sostman

  Owner / VIA Honeybees

  Melissa Sostman is the co-operator of VIA Honeybees, which was established in 2017 alongside her husband, Tom. Together, they manage 200+ honeybee hives in several apiaries in the Franklin County area. Passionate about beekeeping and education, Melissa is deeply involved in the local beekeeping community, currently serving as the President of the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association (EMBA) and a board member of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association. Dedicated to continuous learning, she actively travels to workshops and conferences across the United States. She is also currently enrolled in the Great Plains Master Beekeeping program, as well as the American Honey Judges Association Honey Judge Certificate Program.

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  Dr. Michael Brown Doctor, Certified Master Beekeeper, MSBA Past President
  

  Dr. Michael Brown

  Doctor, Certified Master Beekeeper, MSBA Past President

  Dr. Brown is a graduate from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (Human Doctor). He completed a medical residency in Family and Community Medicine at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He currently works full time for NKC Health where he practices family medicine in Smithville, Missouri. He is also board certified in Clinical Informatics (Human Doctor Computer Nerd).

  His interests are providing innovative ways to deliver health care to his patients and utilizing technology and media to interact with and educate patients. He lives in Smithville, Missouri with his wife and seven children and continues his family tradition of beekeeping. He also enjoys photography and running, which are two very useful skills for any beekeeper. He is a Certified Master Beekeeper with the Great Plains Master Beekeeping program.

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  Tammy Tappana Retired, MSBA Treasurer
  

  Tammy Tappana

  Retired, MSBA Treasurer

  Tammy Tappana has spent her life in the Kansas City metropolitan area and currently resides in Smithville, Missouri. She graduated summa cum laude from Park University and has built a diverse career in accounting, wearing many hats over the past 30+ years. Her early experience as Treasurer for her son’s Cub Scout pack (1999–2002) helped lay the foundation for her current role as Treasurer of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association, a position she has held since March 2021.

  In 2024, Tammy retired to care for her uncle during his illness. Today, she proudly embraces her newest and most cherished role—“Gammy Tammy”—and looks forward to spending time with her grandson and showering him with love.

  Tammy enjoys a wide range of creative and outdoor hobbies, including sewing, painting, stained glass and mosaic work, motorcycle road trips with her husband, and, of course, beekeeping. Her beekeeping journey began in early 2016 during the Flow Hive funding craze, when she thought, “That looks easy—I bet I can do that!” After a few first-year mishaps, she quickly discovered that beekeeping is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Eager to learn, she joined Clayton Lee’s Northland Beekeepers Club, attended classes, read extensively, and has been hooked ever since. Tammy also serves as an administrator for the Northland Beekeepers Facebook group, helping support and connect fellow beekeepers.

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  Tom Sostman Owner / VIA Honeybees
  

  Tom Sostman

  Owner / VIA Honeybees

  Tom Sostman has been a passionate beekeeper since 2018, dedicating himself to both the art and science of apiculture. Currently enrolled in the Great Plains Master Beekeeper program through the University of Nebraska, Tom’s commitment to education is evident. He serves as the Program Chairperson for the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association (EMBA) and sits on the board of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association (MSBA), demonstrating his leadership within the beekeeping community.

  Tom and his wife, Melissa, manage over 200 hives, focusing on nucleus colonies, honey production, and rearing high-quality queens. They market their honey and other hive products through social media, local shops, and at farmers’ markets in the area. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Tom regularly travels to bee conferences across the United States to stay at the forefront of beekeeping practices. He also shares his expertise by speaking at local bee clubs and state organizations, further contributing to the education and growth of fellow beekeepers.

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  Valorie Nichols Owner of Beecharmer Farms and VP, Beekeepers Assn of the Ozarks
  

  Valorie Nichols

  Owner of Beecharmer Farms and VP, Beekeepers Assn of the Ozarks

  Valorie Nichols has been a beekeeper since 1994, I started out, taking the beginning beekeeping classes for the first time and won a hive from what was soon to be my mentor. Unfortunately, I fell victim to losing my first hive in the winter, but got back up and decided that this hobby was something that I really wanted to pursue. So I bought two additional hives, those two became four, four became 16 and you know the rest of the story.

  I retired in 2017 from United Parcel Service with 34 years of blood sweat and tears and decided that I wanted to turn my hobby that was on steroids into a business.
  I have held several positions in our local club, Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks, and am currently serving as the Vice President. I also serve as a Board Member for the Missouri State Beekeepers Association and cover the southwest region of the state.

  I am currently keeping around 100 hives of bees, and do a lot of custom extraction to complicate my life even more!!!