The Louisiana State Beekeepers Association and the USDA Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory will hold the 30th Annual Field Day on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The event will be held at the USDA laboratory, located at 1157 Ben Hur Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70820. This is near the intersection of Nicholson Drive (Hwy 30) and Brightside Dr., which is about two miles south of the LSU football stadium.
Gates will open at 8:00 a.m. with presentations and activities scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Field Day will include a series of morning sessions by members of the Louisiana Beekeepers Association and USDA staff about beekeeping and research being conducted at the USDA lab. The afternoon features breakout sessions for beekeepers of all experience levels.
The beginner beekeeping course is designed for those with little to no beekeeping experience. Topics will include basic bee biology as well as necessary beekeeping equipment and management techniques. A question and answer session precedes a practical demonstration in honey bee colonies.
The intermediate beekeeping course is focused on the beekeeper with a moderate amount of experience who is now ready to take it to the next level. Topics will include detecting signs of parasites and pathogens, performing swarm captures and cut-outs, followed by a final field session examining open colonies. This session will address the major problems in colony health and include discussion and guidance on the primary pests and pathogens affecting honey bee colonies.
There will be a workshop for advanced beekeepers focused on the principles of selective breeding, followed by a final session on queen rearing techniques.
LBA member registration fee is $35, and non-member registration fee is $40 for attendees 12 years and above. Children 11 and under must stay with their parents at all times. Registration includes a catered lunch. Register at www.labeekeepers.org and pay by credit card, or mail a check and a copy of the registration form to Louisiana Beekeepers Association to Beth Derr, 210 Meadowlark Dr, Jefferson, TX 75657, and it must be postmarked by October 1, 2026. Walk-up registration will be collected at the door for $40 per person.
For additional information, please visit www.labeekeepers.org, contact Kevin Langley (504-669-6830), la4honeybees@gmail.com, or Arian Avalos, PhD, 225-276-3686, arian.avalos@usda.gov.
