Three Rivers Beekeepers

Intermediate Beekeeping Series, January 6, 2026

Producing Comb Honey with Dave Loftin

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 Bees Alive Club in Nixa, the Beekeeping Association of the Ozarks, and the Missouri State Beekeepers.

🐝 TRB January Events – We’ve got a full month of learning and community lined up. Mark your calendars and join in!
📘 Intermediate Seminar Series (Online)
January 6 • 7:00–8:30 PM
Featuring Dave Loftin; A great way for experienced beekeepers to deepen their skills from home.
🍯 TRB Monthly Meeting
January 19 • 7:00–9:00 PM
Rogan Tokach presenting: The infamous Tropilaelaps mite
🐝 2026 Beginning Beekeeping Workshop
Saturday, January 24 • 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
A full‑day workshop perfect for anyone ready to start their beekeeping journey.
👉 More info & registration: www.threeriversbeekeepers.com

Send a message to learn more

🐝 Coming Up January 6 (Tuesday)!
Join us for the first session of our Intermediate Training Series with Dave Loftin. This is the first of three skill‑building sessions designed to help you deepen your beekeeping knowledge and confidence.
👉 Register today: www.threeriversbeekeepers.com

Send a message to learn more

🎄✨ It’s not too late to spread some holiday cheer! ✨🎄
This season, give a gift that lasts long after the decorations come down.

🎁 Give the gift of beekeeping by enrolling someone you love in the TRB Beginning Beekeepers Workshop, or 🎁 Give the gift of becoming a better beekeeper in 2026 with our Intermediate Training Series, perfect for experienced beekeepers ready to grow their skills.
Share the joy of learning, discovery, and buzzing new adventures this holiday season.

Register at www.threeriversbeekeepers.com

Send a message to learn more

TRB Monthly Meeting - December 15
MU Extension Center
260 Brown Road, St. Peters, MO
6PM - Q&A
7PM - Speed Rounds with:
Jill Landers, Eugene Makovec, Christy Romanko, Jim Stellern and Tyler Westerfeld.
Feel free to bring a treat to share — and if you’re feeling extra generous, bring an additional dozen to add to our door‑prize table.

Send a message to learn more

🐝 TRB December Monthly Meeting
Get ready to buzz in for our SPEED ROUND SPEAKERS!
This month’s lineup is packed with hive-worthy insight from:

🍯 Tyler Westerfeld
🍯 Jim Stellern
🍯 Christy Romanko
🍯 Jill Landers
🍯 Eugene Makovec

Join your fellow beekeepers for a fast, fun flight through updates, tips, and ideas from around the hive.

🌻 This meeting is in person only — no Zoom.

TRB 2026 Intermediate Seminar Series
Three, 90-minute Virtual Sessions. (This training is intended for those with prior beekeeping experience.) Each session held on a Monday or Tuesday evening in January, February and March. 7:00-8:30PM CST These sessions will include a wealth of information from seasoned professionals who can help you refine your knowledge of beekeeping.
COST: $30.00 for access to all three sessions.

January 6, 2026 (Tues)
Producing Comb Honey (Dave Loftin)

February 2, 2026 (Mon)
More Honey, Less Swarms: Unlocking the Power of the Demaree Method (Ray Hewitt)

March 2, 2026 (Mon)
From Backyard Hobbyist to Sideliner (Tom & Melissa Sostman)

INFORMATION: Please register early to help us prepare for Zoom Call distributions in ample time.
If you register after the first session, you can still participate, but the fee remains the same to accommodate the administrative time we incur to get you added to the program.
If you have questions, please contact Terry Romanko directly at:
[email protected]
Go to the TRB website to register: www.threeriversbeekeepers.com

Send a message to learn more

TRB 2026 Beginning Beekeeping Workshop

Saturday, January 24th, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The main topics to be discussed are:
· Honey Bee Biology, Anatomy, and Social Structure;
· Basic Beekeeping Equipment;
· Where do I get/put my bees?;
· Honey Bee Pests and Diseases; and
· Hive Inspections/Swarms.

You will also receive a copy of one of the most popular beekeeping manuals — "The Beekeeper's Handbook" by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile. This book contains just about everything you'll need to help get you through the first few years of your new hobby.
After the last session, several door prizes will be awarded, including:

A complete hive body with two honey supers
and
A Spring 2026 nucleus colony

Click on the link on the TRB website and register early! The workshop fee is $75 through January 17, 2026. After that date, the fee will increase to $85. Enroll early – space is limited.

www.threeriversbeekeepers.com

You won't get rich, but winners get two free calendars, and bragging rights!