MSU Extension Beekeeping & Pollinators

In partnership with Michigan State University Extension, the Heartland Apicultural Society will host its beekeeping conference on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 2026, on the Michigan State University Campus in East Lansing, Michigan. The conference will feature presentations by apiculture experts, hands-on workshops, beekeeping vendors and more. The last time Heartland Apicultural Society hosted its conference in Michigan was in 2015.

Registration is open for conference participants, vendors and sponsors. Early conference registration closes May 3. Some sessions have limited spots, so register early for the best selection of sessions. Please visit Heartland Apicultural Society’s website for the conference agenda, lodging options, parking instructions, sponsorship opportunities and more information.

Register for the conference

Conference agenda

The conference will include several indoor breakout sessions including swarm catching, marketing honey, colony splits, trees for bees and more. Visit Heartland Apicultural Society’s website to view the tentative conference agenda.

Plenary speakers

• Jeff Harris, PhD, Mississippi State University Extension
• Reed Johnson, PhD, The Ohio State University
• Jennifer Tsuruda, PhD, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Robyn Underwood, PhD, Pennsylvania State University

Apiary workshops

Join in-hive workshops covering colony inspections, finding queens, varroa mites, nuc making, splits and more. There will be three apiaries on site. Workshops in two “open apiaries” will cover colony inspections and some special topics. There is no pre-registration for these open apiary workshops, but space will be limited based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pre-registration is required for workshops in the “apiary class” on-site apiary. These workshops include Varroa management, swarm deterrence and splits and making late season nucs for expansion. Before registering for any of these workshops, please note that there are many indoor presentations, open apiary workshops, and sometimes laboratory workshops at the same time.

All apiary workshops can be submitted to Great Plains Master Beekeeping for field experience hours.

Laboratory workshops (limited spots, pre-registration is required)

Honey bee anatomy and dissection laboratory workshop: Zachary Huang, PhD, will instruct a workshop on honey bee anatomy and dissection. The workshop will include a presentation detailing the biology of honey bee structure, real-time video display showing how to manipulate a honey bee under a dissecting scope, and an opportunity to dissect your own bees under a dissecting scope with provided forceps. Time will be provided for questions and individual coaching on dissections. Sharp forceps will be used; children and minors must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. (Offered twice)

Bacterial disease microscopy laboratory workshop: Peter Fowler, DVM, PhD, will instruct a laboratory diagnostic clinic covering microscopic diagnostics for honey bee bacterial diseases. Participants will view the pathogens that cause American foulbrood and European foulbrood disease and practice the Hanging Drop diagnostic method.

Social events

MSU Pollinator Performance Center Open House

The Michigan State University Pollinator Performance Center is hosting an open house on Friday, May 29, from 2 – 4 p.m. prior to the Heartland Apicultural Society Conference on May 30-31. Conference attendees and other members of the public are welcome to attend the open house.

The Pollinator Performance Center is located among south campus farms, and it focuses on research and extension to support beekeepers, growers whose crops depend on insect pollination, and the public. At this open house, you'll get to see the honey processing room, beekeeping equipment, and other educational stations.

This event is free and open to people of all ages, although children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required. This event is subject to change or cancellation; please check the MSU Pollinator Performance Center Open House event webpage for updates prior to departing for the open house.

Beekeeper gathering at Lansing Shuffleboard and Social Club
Friday, May 29, 2026, 5 p.m.

Join beekeepers from the Michigan Beekeepers Association for an informal gathering at Lansing Shuffleboard & Social Club the evening of Friday, May 30. Lansing Shuffle is a food hall that offers several counters where you can purchase food and drinks as well as indoor and outdoor seating and shuffleboard! Reservations and tickets are not required. Lansing Shuffle will be open to the public, but you can look for the bee decorations to find other beekeepers!

Reception hosted by Michigan State University
Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 5 p.m.

Mingle with conference attendees and speakers at a reception hosted on the Kellogg Center Patio on Saturday after the conference sessions conclude. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available.

Great Plains Master Beekeeping Field Experience Hours and Testing

All apiary (in-hive) workshops at the Heartland Apicultural Society Conference can be submitted to Great Plains Master Beekeeping for field experience hours. There will also be limited Great Plains Master Beekeeping field testing opportunities. (Apprentice to Journeyman testing requirements: completed the Apprentice level core modules, field experience hours, and volunteer hours. Journeyman to Masters testing requirements: completed the Journeyman level core modules, field experience hours, and volunteer hours.)

Discount for Veterans and Active-Duty Military Members

Thanks to generous donations to MSU Extension to support Veterans and active-duty military members, U.S. Veterans, Reservists, Active Duty, and National Guard members of the U.S. Armed Forces can receive a discount to attend the conference. Please use discount code "vet50green" if you are registering for both days (for a $50 discount) and "vet25white" if you are registering for a daily registration (for a $25 discount). This discount does not extend to family members.

Accessibility accommodations

Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact, Ana Heck, two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for securing funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Michigan State University to implement strategies in the Managed Pollinator Protection Plan.

This program is supported by donations to MSU Extension.

This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2024-70006-43569] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.