Members of the Batavia-based Fox Valley Beekeepers Association (FVBA) were among the presenters at the Illinois State Beekeepers Association conference, held August 16 at Meyer Bees in Minooka.

FVBA president Sherrie Benson of Batavia discussed “Hives for Heroes: A Community of Heroes and Beekeepers,” a nonprofit that supports veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders through beekeeping.

“The sound of the honeybees in the hive resonates with the brain and helps decrease the effects of PTSD, Benson said. “The smells of the hive and the organization within the hive also helps.”

She also presented four hive-themed paintings by Batavia artist Chris Johnson, donated for the conference’s silent auction fundraiser, and highlighted her summer work with the 4H SPIN Pollinator Club, which teaches youth about beekeeping and leadership.

Jim Konrad of Aurora, FVBA’s education specialist, delivered a talk titled “The Bees Do What the Bees Do. Can Hobby Beekeepers Learn Sustainability from the Bees?” He emphasized that a hivemaster managing 1–25 hives can maintain honey production without purchasing bees each year.

Konrad also hosted his “Breakfast with Bees” Saturday morning Zoom session during the conference and continues to teach classes for new and intermediate beekeepers.

Later in the month, at the association’s August 25 meeting, Batavia resident Marty Zudarski shared strategies for preparing hives for winter.

About Fox Valley Beekeepers Association: A non-profit founded in 2013, the Batavia-based FVBA promotes honeybees, honey and beekeeping. The group’s mission is to foster the success of local area beekeepers. Membership meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at Kane County Farm Bureau, 2N710 Randall Rd. in St Charles.

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