The UMSL campus will be abuzz with beekeepers from across the region during the 2012 Heartland Apicultural Society Conference July 12-14. (Photo by John Severns via Wikimedia Commons)

The University of Missouri–St. Louis will be buzzing with activity during a three-day conference of beekeepers July 12-14.

The 2012 Heartland Apicultural Society Conference will offer instructional classroom programs and hands-on classes in a bee yard. Sessions are designed for beekeepers at all skill levels. Click here to view the conference schedule.

In addition to the education programming, there will be a large vendor show, evening social events and sightseeing tours in the St. Louis area during the day.

Conference speakers include: Greg Hunt of Purdue University, Tom Webster of Kentucky State University, Jim Tew of Auburn University, Kim Flottum of Bee Culture Magazine, Jerry Hayes of Monsanto Corporation, Zachary Huang of Michigan State University, and others. Also slated to speak is St. Louis beekeeper Jane Sueme, owner of Isabees.com, honey and beekeeping-supply emporium. She recently spoke to St. Louis Magazine about what it’s like to be a beekeeper.

The Heartland Apiculture Society was established in 2001 to provide beekeeping education in an economical way.

Discounted admission to the conference is $20 per day or $45 for all three days. Attendees must mail in their registration form by June 25 to receive a discount rate. Attendees can register at the door if they miss the June 25 mail deadline. The cost of admission will increase by $5 per day for walk-in registrants.