B3: Building Better Bees for the Future
A Honey Bee Health & Breeding Symposium
September 26, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location:
Habitat for Humanity (Young School)
501 N. Dodgion Street
Independence, MO
Hosted by University of Missouri Extension, Heartland Beekeeping Partnership (HBeeP), Johnson County Missouri Beekeepers Association (JCMBA), and Paul Sopher.
Join us for a full day of hands-on learning, research-based presentations, and practical breeding strategies designed to strengthen honey bee health and improve colony resilience.
This year’s symposium features Cory Stevens, nationally recognized for his work in honey bee breeding and Varroa-sensitive hygiene (VSH), alongside Tamra Reall and Cathy Misko.
Participants will learn how to identify and select for honey bees that naturally suppress mite reproduction (SMR), helping reduce Varroa pressure and improve colony survival.
Featured Highlights:
- Hands-on brood assay lab with Cory Stevens
- Research-based honey bee health presentations
- Practical strategies for backyard queen selection and breeding
- Learn how to evaluate your own colonies for SMR/VSH traits
- Opportunity to assess your own brood frames during the lab
Important: Participants are encouraged to bring 1-2 nice, capped brood frames with just a few workers starting to emerge to assess/score your own bees.
Registration Includes:
- Brood assay lab kit (forceps, frame holder, adjustable headlamp with red light, scoring card)
- Refreshments and lunch
- One-year complimentary JCMBA membership
- Monthly Apiary Buzz digital newsletter
- Chance to win a Missouri Mite Hunter VSH Queen Certificate
Registration Information: Pre-registration is required. Space is limited to 50 participants.
Early Bird Registration: $90 per person
After September 5, 2026: $100 per person
Two ways to register:
- Register online on this page
- Register by email with mail-in payment or pay-at-the-door (with prior approval)
For registration questions, contact:
Cathy Misko | cathymisko@earthlink.net | (660) 656-3485
Paul Sopher | (816) 598-6241
Preparing for the Harbo Lab Assay: Bring Your Own Bees
Participants wishing to assess/score their own colonies should:
- Feed colonies 1:1 syrup approximately one month in advance to stimulate brood production (especially during nectar dearth)
- Choose 1-2 nice, capped brood frames with just a few workers starting to emerge
- Shake off nurse bees before transport
- Bring brood frames in a nuc box
- Conduct a colony mite test beforehand for comparison
For additional honey bee health resources, review the 2026 Honey Bee Health Varroa Guide from the Honey Bee Health Coalition.
Whether you are a beginner beekeeper or an experienced queen breeder, B3 offers practical tools, scientific insight, and hands-on experience to help build healthier bees for the future.