Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Prairie State Beekeepers in conjunction with Lincoln Land Community College will be holding a Meet-A-Beekeeper event at the West Nature Grove apiary located at 2321 West Lakeshore Drive on Saturday.

The Beekeepers want the public to learn more about the hobby and business of beekeeping and its vital importance to agriculture.

The grove features several sponsored beehives as well as a connected orchard.

Dave Tebrugge, President of the Prairie State Beekeepers. appearing on the WTAX Morning Newswatch says they will have beekeepers on hand to talk about protecting bees and harvesting their honey. He says there will be plenty of protective gear for folks who want to get a real close look at the colonies.

Tebrugge says thanks for efforts by his group and others as well as the entire ag community the bees of Central Illinois are in good shape. He says the’ swarm season’ is about over when a colony divides in two and one group flies away to name its new queen. It the new queen fails the colony will die.