More than 100 beekeepers from across the state will convene in Cape Girardeau this weekend for the Missouri State Beekeepers Association's fall conference.

Hobbyists and full-time beekeepers will learn from each other as well as experts from Illinois and Vermont Friday and Saturday at the Plaza Conference Center.

Beekeeping in Missouri is growing in popularity in Missouri, particularly in urban areas such as St. Louis, said Grant Gillard of Jackson, vice president of the Missouri State Beekeepers Association.

Gillard, who has about 150 beehives in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, will be installed as president of the organization Saturday. Topics to be discussed during the conference range from queen rearing to Internet marketing for beekeepers. A program on beekeeping in Uzbekistan will be presented Friday evening.

Most honey found on grocery store shelves is actually from foreign countries, Gillard said.

"The U.S. can't produce enough honey to feed ourselves," Gillard said.

There are health benefits to eating local honey, he said.

"It won't cure you, but it will diminish your allergic reactions. Honey has pollen dissolved in it so when you eat it, your body develops a tolerance for it. When you walk outside and breath the pollen in, your sinuses don't go crazy," Gillard said.

There are about 20 beekeepers in the Cape Girardeau area, Gillard said.

About 90 percent of beekeepers have less than 25 hives, nine percent have between 26 and 299 hives and only one percent of beekeepers have large commercial operations, Gillard said.

United States ranks 25 out of the 50 states in honey production.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

3257 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO