Lincoln Land Beekeepers

Welcome Beekeepers

 

     
 

HISTORY OF LINCOLN LAND BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION

In 1975 on a cold January night a group of folks came to the Sangamon County Extension Building on North Dirksen Parkway to hear an address by Dr. Elbert R. Jaycox who was the University of Illinois Horticulture Department Extension Apiculturist. In contrast to the outside temperature, the conference room was warmed by and estimated sixty to eighty people who had some interest in honey bees and little else to do on such a cold night. Dr. Jaycox’ address on apiculture (beekeeping to the laymen) was arranged by Jim Hayward, who at the time was the horticulture advisor at the extension service. This presentation was to affect the lives of some attendees more than anyone could imagine.

Soon after, at the urging of Jim Hayward, an informal group of the folks who had attended that meeting began monthly through the auspices of the extension service. At the first meeting the State Superintendent of Apiary Inspection, Carl Killion, spoke to the group. The following year, the University of Illinois extension service offered a fourteen week beekeeping course that could be taken as a college credit (Horticulture E-199). This unusual class conducted by Dr. Jaycox, met evenings at Lanphier High School and consisted of about twenty-five attentive students of various ages. Most of those students were to become members of a fledging beekeepers club.

Upon completion of the beekeeping course, at the suggestion of Jim Hayward, the Lincoln Land Beekeepers Association was formally organized, bylaws written and officers elected. By this time, Carl Killion had retired and was succeeded by his son Gene Killion, who like his father, was recognized as an authority by the beekeeping and honey production industry. Gene was very supportive of the new association, providing advice to members and speaking at the Lincoln Land Association meeting.

In 1982, a change in the rules of the Illinois State Beekeepers Association permitted the Lincoln Land Beekeepers Association to become one of the first chapters of the Illinois State Beekeepers Association.

Gone from the U. of I. is Dr. Jaycox who actively promoted apiculture at the University. Also gone is Jim Hayward and most of Lincoln Land’s charter members.

Remaining is a viable organization of hobbyist beekeepers who will always welcome new members and will offer them more advice (some sound and some maybe not so sound) than they can possibly heed (some sound and some maybe not so sound). Meetings continue to be held at the Sangamon County Extension Building on North Dirksen Parkway.

 

 

 

The busy bee has no time for sorrow - William Blake
 

 

 

The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others - St John Chrysostom