Location: Taylor County Expo Center
1700 Hwy 36, Abilene, TX 79602
there is plenty of parking

Hotel Discount:

Hampton by Hilton book by Sept 17
Here is the booking link to access our discounted room block
to get our room rate of $249 (normal rate is $344)
https://group.hamptoninn.com/1qg75t
Use discount code: West Texas Beekeepers
3526 Westlake Rd. Abilene, TX 79601
325.673.4400

DoubleTree by Hilton book by Sept 17
Here is the booking link to access our discounted room block
to get our room rate of $244 (normal rate is $392)
https://tinyurl.com/doubletreebee
Use discount code: Bee School
500 Cypress St Abilene, Texas 79601
325-999-1878

Pre-Conference Activities

October 9, 2026: 6:30pm-8pm: Dinner at Perini Ranch with our Speakers
Limited to the 20 people, our annual dinner at Perini's is a great opportunity to sit shoulder to shoulder with our presenters and enjoy a West Texas meal. Tickets are $98 and include a pre-set menu of premium Mesquite Smoked Peppered Beef Tenderloin, Creamy Horseradish Sauce, Southern Fried Catfish, Ranch Salad, Cowboy Potatoes, Dinner Rolls, Bread Pudding, Iced Tea and Water.

Would you be interested in a post-conference workshop on woodworking for beekeepers and/or to inspect colonies with our teachers? Please email Tiff@TiffanyHarelik.com.

Bring your pocketbook for shopping with our vendors and your tastebuds for a honey sensory bar!

Coffee bar, Lunch, and Honey Tasting is included in your ticket.
Meet the Speakers
  • Bob Binnie
    Blue Ridge Honey Company
    Check out Bob's YouTube Channel

    Bob Binnie, along with his wife Suzette, owns Blue Ridge Honey Co. in Lakemont, Georgia, operating 2000 colonies along with a sizable honey packing operation. Voted "Beekeeper Of The Year" by the Georgia Beekeepers Association in 2003 Bob has been involved in commercial beekeeping for nearly four decades.
  • Greg Wilson
    AgriLife Extension Program Specialist
    Greg Wilson is an Extension Program Specialist in San Angelo, Texas. He will be teaching on Seasonal IPM for Beekeepers as well as introducing some new solutions for beekeepers. For beekeepers, understanding what pests are active, what crops are being treated, when applications are likely to happen, and where our bees are foraging can make the difference between being caught off guard and being prepared.

  • Dodie Stillman
    Master Craftsman Beekeeper and Honey Sommelier
    Dodie will be back in West Texas to share more honeys from around the world in this unique honey tasting event - before lunch!
West Bee School Tentative Schedule
Saturday October 10, 2026
Texas Master Beekeeper Testing will be onsite the day before: Friday, October 9th.

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Check-In + Beekeepers Coffee Courtesy of Dadant

8:30 AM – 9:50 AM: Welcome from Bob Binnie
An inspiring welcome from renowned beekeeper Bob Binnie, setting the stage for a day of learning, connection, and practical insights from one of the industry’s most respected voices.

10:00 – 10:45 AM: Seasonal IPM for Beekeepers with Greg Wilson
For beekeepers, understanding what pests are active, what crops are being treated, when applications are likely to happen, and where our bees are foraging can make the difference between being caught off guard and being prepared. Greg will walk through the agricultural calendar so beekeepers can begin anticipating pest pressure and potential pesticide applications before they happen.

11:00 – 11:45 AM: Honey Industry Update and Tasting with Master Craftsman Dodie Stillman and guest: A behind-the-scenes look at the latest developments in the honey industry, paired with a guided tasting led by Master Craftsman Dodie Stillman and a special guest.

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking (lunch is a BBQ sandwich with chips and tea, and is included in your ticket price - there are no food vendors onsite, so please plan ahead if alternative food is required)

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Beekeeping from the Ground Up - Growing your Apiary A practical, inspiring session on building your apiary from the ground up, with strategies for growing healthy colonies, expanding responsibly, and creating a sustainable beekeeping operation.

2:15 – 4:00 PM: Bob Binnie: Feeding Bees
A practical deep dive into feeding bees—when to feed, what to feed, and how to make smart feeding decisions that support colony health, development, and honey production. With plenty of time for your questions for Bob.

Schedule subject to change.

Bee School Schedule - See what we did in Fall 2025!
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Check-In + Beekeepers Coffee
Courtesy of Dadant and Savannah Bee

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM: Intro to the Wild World of Beekeeping (101) TV's own Charlie Agar, of Charlie Bee Co

10:00 – 10:45 AM: Fall Hive Inspections and Splits: Preparing Colonies for West Texas Winters with Michael & Nikki Felcman of Saint Abigail Honey

11:00 – 11:45 AM: A Seasonal Approach to Honey Production: for home, market, and show with Tiffany Harelik, Hacienda Harelik Honey

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking (lunch is a BBQ sandwich, and is included)

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Removals Panel: Charlie Agar (Charlie Bee, Michael and Eli Felcman (Saint Abigail), Angela Steinhauer (TAIS)

2:15 – 3:00 PM: Drone Hunting: Dodie Stillman, TBA Past President

3:00 PM – 4PM: Medicinal Beekeeping with Dr. Ferhat Ozturk

(shop, bio break, refill water bottles)

4:30p-5:30p "Ask a Texas Master Beekeeper" with Omar Martinez, Apiculture Program Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Location: The Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, Texas

Coffee bar, BBQ sandwich Lunch, and Honey Tasting is included in your ticket.
There will also be vendors with beekeeping supplies and honey available for purchase on site. There is plenty of parking.

Questions? Email Tiff@TiffanyHarelik.com
Photo courtesy of Daniel X. O'Neil / flickr.com

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