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RSS Feed Sept. 2, 2026
Winning at Honey with Stephanie: Preparing Pollen for Competition
This month on Winning at Honey with Stephanie, Stephanie Slater turns her attention to a honey show category that doesn’t appear at every competition: pollen. Preparing pollen for competition requires more than simply collecting it from a pollen trap. Stephanie walks through what judges look for, including cleanliness, proper moisture, aroma and flavor, consistent fill levels, and a colorful variety of pollen. She also shares lessons from her own first pollen entry—and the judge’s comment card that showed her where she could improve.
You’ll learn how Stephanie collects and freezes pollen, uses a fan to separate lighter debris, hand-cleans small batches with tweezers, and prepares jars for judging. She also explains why you should bring extra pollen to the show to correct settling and fill levels before submitting your entry.
Stephanie also discusses balancing pollen collection with the nutritional needs of the colony, including her practice of activating traps for only 24 hours before giving the bees several days of unrestricted pollen collection.
Finally, this month’s Honey Show Spotlight looks at upcoming competitions in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and the 2026 Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall Conference, where Stephanie will be helping with the honey show.
Whether you’re preparing your first pollen entry or looking for another category to add to your show bench, it’s time to start cleaning those pollen pellets!
Blue skies and blue ribbons!
Websites mentioned:
- Missouri State Beekeepers Assn Fall Conference – https://www.mobees.org/events/beeconf2026/
- American Honey Judges Assn - https://honeyshowusa.com/
______________
Brought to you by Betterbee – your partners in better beekeeping.
Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com
_______________
We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com
Thank you for listening!
Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott.
Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC
** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases
Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
WEBVTT
00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:02.880
3, 2, 1.
00:00:02.880 --> 00:00:07.920
Hello everyone, and welcome to Winning at Honey with Stephanie.
00:00:07.920 --> 00:00:14.720
This Beekeeping Today podcast short is all about bite-sized conversations where we explore honey shows
00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:20.119
Judging tips and the art of exhibiting award-winning hive products.
00:00:20.119 --> 00:00:24.840
I'm your host, Stephanie Slater, and I'm excited to be back with you.
00:00:25.020 --> 00:00:28.220
August has been unusually quiet for me.
00:00:28.220 --> 00:00:33.340
I had to take a break from beekeeping for several weeks while recovering from an injury.
00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:40.520
Now that I'm feeling better, I have plenty of apiary chores to catch up on, but it sure feels good to get back in the bees.
00:00:40.520 --> 00:00:43.320
We've done a lot of extracting recently.
00:00:43.260 --> 00:00:50.140
I like to pull my honey in early August so I can get a head start on mite treatments and winter feeding.
00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:51.260
This week
00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:59.140
Temperatures in Wisconsin cooled enough to create an ideal window for certain mite treatments, so I took advantage of it.
00:00:58.700 --> 00:01:05.740
While my beekeeping was on hold, I hosted a few corporate events featuring honey samples and an observation hive.
00:01:05.740 --> 00:01:10.940
Don't tell my neighbors, but I've had a nuc with bees flying from my patio for the past two weeks
00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:16.960
That made it much easier to set up and take down the observation hive for several educational appearances.
00:01:16.960 --> 00:01:22.560
The honey bees have been so well behaved that even my grumpiest neighbor had no idea they were there.
00:01:22.740 --> 00:01:25.780
I also judged a few county fair honey shows.
00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:32.420
I have so much fun judging at fairs, especially when I can educate and encourage competitors along the way.
00:01:32.360 --> 00:01:38.920
I leave a comment card with every entry so exhibitors know what they did well and how they can improve for next year.
00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:45.720
At the Dodge County Fair, I tried the Dodge Jefferson Beekeepers Association's Honey Lavender Ice Cream
00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:47.420
And I think I have a new favorite.
00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:50.540
Now I need to find out how I can get more.
00:01:50.540 --> 00:01:57.180
I also had a great time in the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association booth at the Wisconsin State Fair.
00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:00.740
I spent most of my time near the observation hive.
00:02:00.740 --> 00:02:05.460
I didn't have to lift anything, but my voice certainly got a workout.
00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:12.360
While trying to speed up this year's honey extraction, I didn't take the time to grade all of my frames by color.
00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:17.160
However, when I came across a couple of boxes of extremely light honey,
00:02:17.260 --> 00:02:22.300
I made sure to extract them into a separate bucket for a future honey show.
00:02:22.300 --> 00:02:28.540
White honey can be difficult to perfect for competition, but it can be mesmerizing when done well.
00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:34.319
A high lumen flashlight or polariscope is essential when preparing light honey for show.
00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:39.920
If your bees produce several shades of honey, consider separating the frames by color.
00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:47.520
This could help you create more consistent honey show entries and offer your customers different color and flavor options.
00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:56.599
I also picked up a new bee yard this year and based on the botanical sources in the area, I'm hoping it will produce some darker honey for competition.
00:02:56.640 --> 00:03:02.879
As I record this episode, I'm preparing for the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:10.319
We have a well attended honey show for a county fair, and I consider it the official kickoff to my honey show season
00:03:10.440 --> 00:03:17.239
I won't have as many entries this year, but I'll be sure to bring extracted honey and my dipped taper candles.
00:03:17.239 --> 00:03:22.680
I also branch out at my county fair by entering horticulture and culinary exhibits
00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:31.320
I've been tending to a beautiful pollinator porch pot all summer, but I'm behind on my food preservation projects, so wish me luck!
00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:35.960
Last year at the Walworth County Fair, I spoke with someone who doesn't compete.
00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:39.720
She asked me how many blue ribbons I needed to win.
00:03:39.720 --> 00:03:42.120
All of them, I replied.
00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:43.560
All of them.
00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:48.819
I know all of you competitors out there know exactly what I mean.
00:03:48.819 --> 00:03:53.060
This month, I'd like to talk about preparing pollen for show.
00:03:53.140 --> 00:04:00.340
In some parts of the country, including mine, this may be your last opportunity to collect pollen until next spring.
00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:04.739
In my experience, pollen isn't offered at many honey shows.
00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:14.000
However, you will find it at the Midwest Honey Bee Expo in January, and it has appeared in previous North American Honey and Beeswax Championships.
00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:18.000
We'll find out soon whether it will be included again this January.
00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:24.520
My friend Brian recently asked me some questions about exhibiting pollen, so I thought I'd share what we discussed.
00:04:24.520 --> 00:04:28.919
I'll admit that I've only entered pollen once, and I did it in twice.
00:04:28.740 --> 00:04:37.540
However, I learned a lot from Steve, a senior honey judge with the American Honey Judges Association, and I know I'll do better next time.
00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:40.120
First, let's look at the rules.
00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:47.720
Pollen is evaluated in much the same way as the extracted honey and beeswax entries we've discussed in previous episodes.
00:04:47.840 --> 00:04:52.560
Focus on cleanliness, fill lines, and proper handling and storage.
00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:57.680
Pollen must be dried and processed using either heat or cold methods.
00:04:57.820 --> 00:05:02.940
Judges begin by examining the jars and lids inside and out.
00:05:02.940 --> 00:05:09.580
They look for cleanliness, the correct fill level, and consistency among all the jars in the exhibit
00:05:09.840 --> 00:05:18.640
The pollen itself should be clean, properly dried, and free from dust, foreign material, mold, and clumping.
00:05:18.840 --> 00:05:27.800
Judges also evaluate its aroma and flavor, watching for anything unusual that might indicate improper processing or storage.
00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:30.440
My friend Chris in Michigan says, taste it.
00:05:30.440 --> 00:05:33.720
If you don't like it, the judge probably won't either.
00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:41.320
For AHJA honey shows, three jars are required, but you may use either one pound or half pound jars
00:05:41.260 --> 00:05:44.860
I chose half-pound jars when I exhibited.
00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:51.340
Achieving the proper moisture level may be the most challenging part of preparing pollen for competition.
00:05:51.340 --> 00:05:56.940
Judges don't want pollen that is overly dry, so be careful when using a dehydrator.
00:05:56.940 --> 00:06:02.060
On the other hand, pollen that retains too much moisture can mold.
00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:08.440
My comment card said that my pollen was slightly moist when smeared, but it wasn't molding.
00:06:08.440 --> 00:06:13.400
That tells me I was probably getting close to the desired level of dryness.
00:06:13.520 --> 00:06:20.480
Chris put it this way, it should stay intact and spongy, not crumble to dust.
00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:23.760
I also reviewed a couple other judges' comment cards.
00:06:23.760 --> 00:06:26.480
Thanks to my friend Carrie for sharing hers
00:06:26.740 --> 00:06:32.100
One thing I learned is that judges like to see a good variety of colors.
00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:38.100
Bees naturally collect pollen in many colors, and your exhibit should reflect that diversity.
00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:43.200
Some competitors have told me they thought pollen should be sorted by color.
00:06:43.200 --> 00:06:45.920
Honestly, I'm glad that isn't the case.
00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:48.720
I'm not sure I would have the patience for it.
00:06:48.920 --> 00:06:54.440
I'll admit that I started questioning my life choices when cleaning pollen for show.
00:06:54.440 --> 00:07:03.400
It was incredibly tedious and time consuming, but I was relieved that the judge didn't find anything in my entry that didn't belong there.
00:07:03.340 --> 00:07:05.420
So how did I clean it?
00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:12.460
My method may not be the best or only way, but it worked with the supplies I had around the house.
00:07:12.440 --> 00:07:21.240
I used a fan to help separate lighter debris, then poured small quantities of pollen onto a white paper plate.
00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:29.860
In a well-lit area, I used tweezers to remove anything that didn't belong and gently separated any small clumps that had formed.
00:07:30.020 --> 00:07:35.140
The jars should be filled to the same level required for extracted honey.
00:07:35.140 --> 00:07:36.900
Pro tip alert!
00:07:36.900 --> 00:07:41.620
Pollen will settle during transport, so bring some extra with you
00:07:41.760 --> 00:07:47.840
That way you can top off your jars and correct the fill level before turning in your entry.
00:07:47.840 --> 00:07:51.600
And don't forget to wipe all those fingerprints off the glass.
00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:56.620
You may want to also bring fresh lids to swap out at the honey show.
00:07:56.620 --> 00:08:01.420
My comment card noted a smudge on the underside of one of my lids.
00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:03.660
I'll be more careful next time.
00:08:04.020 --> 00:08:12.420
When collecting pollen, check your traps daily and store the pollen in the freezer until you're ready to clean and process it.
00:08:12.539 --> 00:08:18.780
Wisconsin summers are very humid, and fresh pollen can begin to mold quickly.
00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:24.940
Frequent collection also prevents other insects from finding their way into the traps.
00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:29.260
and saves you from having even more debris to remove later.
00:08:29.260 --> 00:08:39.500
I usually activate my pollen traps for twenty four hours, then deactivate them for several days so the bees can collect what the colony needs.
00:08:38.640 --> 00:08:44.640
I repeat this process periodically over a few months until I have enough for my entry.
00:08:44.640 --> 00:08:50.320
Collecting at different times of the season also gives me a wider variety of pollen colors.
00:08:50.060 --> 00:08:56.140
while allowing me to focus on periods when the bees are bringing in more pollen than the colony requires.
00:08:56.140 --> 00:08:59.740
Preparing pollen for competition takes patience.
00:08:59.640 --> 00:09:05.240
But it's also a great way to expand beyond the more familiar honey and beeswax categories.
00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:12.440
If you're ready to put these tips into practice or simply want to see what other exhibitors are bringing to the competitions,
00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:14.980
There are some exciting honey shows coming up.
00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:18.500
And it's time for this month's Honey Show Spotlight.
00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:23.860
First is the Georgia State Honey and Artisan Show, September 10th through 12th.
00:09:23.839 --> 00:09:27.040
I've attended this one and it is amazing.
00:09:27.040 --> 00:09:31.440
Next is the Alabama State Honey Show September 18 and 19
00:09:31.660 --> 00:09:39.020
Kelly, the chairperson, showed me their commemorative Black Jar Award and I would be so excited to win one of those.
00:09:39.020 --> 00:09:46.460
Finally, the High Country Honey Festival in North Carolina takes place October 2nd and 3rd.
00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:48.680
Be sure to check out the rules for these shows.
00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:54.920
All three offer impressive cash prizes and a wonderful variety of entry categories.
00:09:55.040 --> 00:10:01.360
If you live nearby or if you're looking for a honey show road trip, you'll want to check them out.
00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:09.680
I also want to put a special spotlight on the 2026 Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall Conference Honey Show.
00:10:09.640 --> 00:10:14.280
The show will be held October 16 and 17 in Springfield, Missouri.
00:10:14.280 --> 00:10:18.120
And I'm especially excited because I'll be there helping staff it.
00:10:18.520 --> 00:10:22.760
The competition offers something for nearly every beekeeper.
00:10:22.760 --> 00:10:27.800
Categories include light amber and dark extracted honey, cut comb.
00:10:27.959 --> 00:10:40.040
creamed honey, black jar, beeswax blocks and candles, photography, artwork, needlecraft, and gift baskets, plus honeybreads, cookies, and cakes
00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:52.360
There's also a novice extracted honey category specifically for exhibitors who have never placed in an extracted class, making this a wonderful opportunity to enter your first honey show.
00:10:52.620 --> 00:11:00.860
The show is open to current MSBA members who are registered for the fall conference, and entries must be submitted in person.
00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:04.620
You may bring your entries Friday, October 16th from 4 to 7 p.
00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:04.780
m.
00:11:05.020 --> 00:11:08.220
or Saturday morning, October 17th from 7 to 8 a.
00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:08.380
m.
00:11:09.040 --> 00:11:17.839
Be sure to read the complete rules carefully because each category has specific requirements for quantities, containers, presentation, and labeling.
00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:22.000
If you've been thinking about entering a honey show, I hope you'll give this one a try.
00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:27.519
You don't need years of competition experience or a full shelf of ribbons to participate.
00:11:27.640 --> 00:11:35.880
Choose a category that interests you, begin preparing now, and use the experience as an opportunity to improve your skills.
00:11:36.040 --> 00:11:41.640
Even if you aren't entering, stop by and see the exhibits, gather ideas, and say hello.
00:11:41.640 --> 00:11:43.320
I would love to see you there.
00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:48.920
You can find information about these and many other honey shows at honeyshowusa.
00:11:48.920 --> 00:11:49.240
com
00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:54.960
Beginning next month, I'll spotlight each of the three major January honey shows.
00:11:54.960 --> 00:11:59.040
If you have questions about any of them, I'd love to hear from you.
00:11:58.759 --> 00:12:06.920
Whether you're entering your first jar of honey or chasing another championship ribbon, I hope you'll put your honey on the showbench this season.
00:12:07.140 --> 00:12:12.900
Every honey show helps us become better beekeepers, and I'd love to hear how you do.
00:12:12.900 --> 00:12:16.660
If your state or region has a honey show you'd like me to feature,
00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:21.660
Please send me the information, and as always, send me your honey show questions.
00:12:21.660 --> 00:12:27.180
Until next month, blue skies and blue ribbons, I'll catch you next time.
00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:02.880
3, 2, 1.
00:00:02.880 --> 00:00:07.920
Hello everyone, and welcome to Winning at Honey with Stephanie.
00:00:07.920 --> 00:00:14.720
This Beekeeping Today podcast short is all about bite-sized conversations where we explore honey shows
00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:20.119
Judging tips and the art of exhibiting award-winning hive products.
00:00:20.119 --> 00:00:24.840
I'm your host, Stephanie Slater, and I'm excited to be back with you.
00:00:25.020 --> 00:00:28.220
August has been unusually quiet for me.
00:00:28.220 --> 00:00:33.340
I had to take a break from beekeeping for several weeks while recovering from an injury.
00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:40.520
Now that I'm feeling better, I have plenty of apiary chores to catch up on, but it sure feels good to get back in the bees.
00:00:40.520 --> 00:00:43.320
We've done a lot of extracting recently.
00:00:43.260 --> 00:00:50.140
I like to pull my honey in early August so I can get a head start on mite treatments and winter feeding.
00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:51.260
This week
00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:59.140
Temperatures in Wisconsin cooled enough to create an ideal window for certain mite treatments, so I took advantage of it.
00:00:58.700 --> 00:01:05.740
While my beekeeping was on hold, I hosted a few corporate events featuring honey samples and an observation hive.
00:01:05.740 --> 00:01:10.940
Don't tell my neighbors, but I've had a nuc with bees flying from my patio for the past two weeks
00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:16.960
That made it much easier to set up and take down the observation hive for several educational appearances.
00:01:16.960 --> 00:01:22.560
The honey bees have been so well behaved that even my grumpiest neighbor had no idea they were there.
00:01:22.740 --> 00:01:25.780
I also judged a few county fair honey shows.
00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:32.420
I have so much fun judging at fairs, especially when I can educate and encourage competitors along the way.
00:01:32.360 --> 00:01:38.920
I leave a comment card with every entry so exhibitors know what they did well and how they can improve for next year.
00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:45.720
At the Dodge County Fair, I tried the Dodge Jefferson Beekeepers Association's Honey Lavender Ice Cream
00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:47.420
And I think I have a new favorite.
00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:50.540
Now I need to find out how I can get more.
00:01:50.540 --> 00:01:57.180
I also had a great time in the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association booth at the Wisconsin State Fair.
00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:00.740
I spent most of my time near the observation hive.
00:02:00.740 --> 00:02:05.460
I didn't have to lift anything, but my voice certainly got a workout.
00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:12.360
While trying to speed up this year's honey extraction, I didn't take the time to grade all of my frames by color.
00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:17.160
However, when I came across a couple of boxes of extremely light honey,
00:02:17.260 --> 00:02:22.300
I made sure to extract them into a separate bucket for a future honey show.
00:02:22.300 --> 00:02:28.540
White honey can be difficult to perfect for competition, but it can be mesmerizing when done well.
00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:34.319
A high lumen flashlight or polariscope is essential when preparing light honey for show.
00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:39.920
If your bees produce several shades of honey, consider separating the frames by color.
00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:47.520
This could help you create more consistent honey show entries and offer your customers different color and flavor options.
00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:56.599
I also picked up a new bee yard this year and based on the botanical sources in the area, I'm hoping it will produce some darker honey for competition.
00:02:56.640 --> 00:03:02.879
As I record this episode, I'm preparing for the Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:10.319
We have a well attended honey show for a county fair, and I consider it the official kickoff to my honey show season
00:03:10.440 --> 00:03:17.239
I won't have as many entries this year, but I'll be sure to bring extracted honey and my dipped taper candles.
00:03:17.239 --> 00:03:22.680
I also branch out at my county fair by entering horticulture and culinary exhibits
00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:31.320
I've been tending to a beautiful pollinator porch pot all summer, but I'm behind on my food preservation projects, so wish me luck!
00:03:31.240 --> 00:03:35.960
Last year at the Walworth County Fair, I spoke with someone who doesn't compete.
00:03:35.960 --> 00:03:39.720
She asked me how many blue ribbons I needed to win.
00:03:39.720 --> 00:03:42.120
All of them, I replied.
00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:43.560
All of them.
00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:48.819
I know all of you competitors out there know exactly what I mean.
00:03:48.819 --> 00:03:53.060
This month, I'd like to talk about preparing pollen for show.
00:03:53.140 --> 00:04:00.340
In some parts of the country, including mine, this may be your last opportunity to collect pollen until next spring.
00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:04.739
In my experience, pollen isn't offered at many honey shows.
00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:14.000
However, you will find it at the Midwest Honey Bee Expo in January, and it has appeared in previous North American Honey and Beeswax Championships.
00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:18.000
We'll find out soon whether it will be included again this January.
00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:24.520
My friend Brian recently asked me some questions about exhibiting pollen, so I thought I'd share what we discussed.
00:04:24.520 --> 00:04:28.919
I'll admit that I've only entered pollen once, and I did it in twice.
00:04:28.740 --> 00:04:37.540
However, I learned a lot from Steve, a senior honey judge with the American Honey Judges Association, and I know I'll do better next time.
00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:40.120
First, let's look at the rules.
00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:47.720
Pollen is evaluated in much the same way as the extracted honey and beeswax entries we've discussed in previous episodes.
00:04:47.840 --> 00:04:52.560
Focus on cleanliness, fill lines, and proper handling and storage.
00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:57.680
Pollen must be dried and processed using either heat or cold methods.
00:04:57.820 --> 00:05:02.940
Judges begin by examining the jars and lids inside and out.
00:05:02.940 --> 00:05:09.580
They look for cleanliness, the correct fill level, and consistency among all the jars in the exhibit
00:05:09.840 --> 00:05:18.640
The pollen itself should be clean, properly dried, and free from dust, foreign material, mold, and clumping.
00:05:18.840 --> 00:05:27.800
Judges also evaluate its aroma and flavor, watching for anything unusual that might indicate improper processing or storage.
00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:30.440
My friend Chris in Michigan says, taste it.
00:05:30.440 --> 00:05:33.720
If you don't like it, the judge probably won't either.
00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:41.320
For AHJA honey shows, three jars are required, but you may use either one pound or half pound jars
00:05:41.260 --> 00:05:44.860
I chose half-pound jars when I exhibited.
00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:51.340
Achieving the proper moisture level may be the most challenging part of preparing pollen for competition.
00:05:51.340 --> 00:05:56.940
Judges don't want pollen that is overly dry, so be careful when using a dehydrator.
00:05:56.940 --> 00:06:02.060
On the other hand, pollen that retains too much moisture can mold.
00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:08.440
My comment card said that my pollen was slightly moist when smeared, but it wasn't molding.
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That tells me I was probably getting close to the desired level of dryness.
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Chris put it this way, it should stay intact and spongy, not crumble to dust.
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I also reviewed a couple other judges' comment cards.
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Thanks to my friend Carrie for sharing hers
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One thing I learned is that judges like to see a good variety of colors.
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Bees naturally collect pollen in many colors, and your exhibit should reflect that diversity.
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Some competitors have told me they thought pollen should be sorted by color.
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Honestly, I'm glad that isn't the case.
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I'm not sure I would have the patience for it.
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I'll admit that I started questioning my life choices when cleaning pollen for show.
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It was incredibly tedious and time consuming, but I was relieved that the judge didn't find anything in my entry that didn't belong there.
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So how did I clean it?
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My method may not be the best or only way, but it worked with the supplies I had around the house.
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I used a fan to help separate lighter debris, then poured small quantities of pollen onto a white paper plate.
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In a well-lit area, I used tweezers to remove anything that didn't belong and gently separated any small clumps that had formed.
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The jars should be filled to the same level required for extracted honey.
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Pro tip alert!
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Pollen will settle during transport, so bring some extra with you
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That way you can top off your jars and correct the fill level before turning in your entry.
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And don't forget to wipe all those fingerprints off the glass.
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You may want to also bring fresh lids to swap out at the honey show.
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My comment card noted a smudge on the underside of one of my lids.
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I'll be more careful next time.
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When collecting pollen, check your traps daily and store the pollen in the freezer until you're ready to clean and process it.
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Wisconsin summers are very humid, and fresh pollen can begin to mold quickly.
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Frequent collection also prevents other insects from finding their way into the traps.
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and saves you from having even more debris to remove later.
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I usually activate my pollen traps for twenty four hours, then deactivate them for several days so the bees can collect what the colony needs.
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I repeat this process periodically over a few months until I have enough for my entry.
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Collecting at different times of the season also gives me a wider variety of pollen colors.
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while allowing me to focus on periods when the bees are bringing in more pollen than the colony requires.
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Preparing pollen for competition takes patience.
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But it's also a great way to expand beyond the more familiar honey and beeswax categories.
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If you're ready to put these tips into practice or simply want to see what other exhibitors are bringing to the competitions,
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There are some exciting honey shows coming up.
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And it's time for this month's Honey Show Spotlight.
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First is the Georgia State Honey and Artisan Show, September 10th through 12th.
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I've attended this one and it is amazing.
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Next is the Alabama State Honey Show September 18 and 19
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Kelly, the chairperson, showed me their commemorative Black Jar Award and I would be so excited to win one of those.
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Finally, the High Country Honey Festival in North Carolina takes place October 2nd and 3rd.
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Be sure to check out the rules for these shows.
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All three offer impressive cash prizes and a wonderful variety of entry categories.
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If you live nearby or if you're looking for a honey show road trip, you'll want to check them out.
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I also want to put a special spotlight on the 2026 Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall Conference Honey Show.
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The show will be held October 16 and 17 in Springfield, Missouri.
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And I'm especially excited because I'll be there helping staff it.
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The competition offers something for nearly every beekeeper.
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Categories include light amber and dark extracted honey, cut comb.
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creamed honey, black jar, beeswax blocks and candles, photography, artwork, needlecraft, and gift baskets, plus honeybreads, cookies, and cakes
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There's also a novice extracted honey category specifically for exhibitors who have never placed in an extracted class, making this a wonderful opportunity to enter your first honey show.
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The show is open to current MSBA members who are registered for the fall conference, and entries must be submitted in person.
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You may bring your entries Friday, October 16th from 4 to 7 p.
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m.
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or Saturday morning, October 17th from 7 to 8 a.
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m.
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Be sure to read the complete rules carefully because each category has specific requirements for quantities, containers, presentation, and labeling.
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If you've been thinking about entering a honey show, I hope you'll give this one a try.
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You don't need years of competition experience or a full shelf of ribbons to participate.
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Choose a category that interests you, begin preparing now, and use the experience as an opportunity to improve your skills.
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Even if you aren't entering, stop by and see the exhibits, gather ideas, and say hello.
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I would love to see you there.
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You can find information about these and many other honey shows at honeyshowusa.
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com
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Beginning next month, I'll spotlight each of the three major January honey shows.
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If you have questions about any of them, I'd love to hear from you.
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Whether you're entering your first jar of honey or chasing another championship ribbon, I hope you'll put your honey on the showbench this season.
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Every honey show helps us become better beekeepers, and I'd love to hear how you do.
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If your state or region has a honey show you'd like me to feature,
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Please send me the information, and as always, send me your honey show questions.
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Until next month, blue skies and blue ribbons, I'll catch you next time.
