A line up of Buzzed Bee Meadery products. PHOTO COURTESY OF BUZZED BEE MEADERY

MELBOURNE – Join Tama County Women, Land & Legacy (WLL) for its upcoming event, “Fall Social: Buzzed Bee Meadery.” It will be held on Thursday, September 14 at Buzzed Bee Meadery, 1755 340th Street, rural Melbourne in neighboring Marshall County. The event will begin promptly at 6 p.m. A jacket is recommended for outdoor seating. Since this is an outdoor event, a raindate is scheduled for September 28 at the same time and location.

The evening features hosts Michelle and Wayne Spohnheimer and their beautiful selection of meads made from Iowa honey. They opened Buzzed Bee in 2016 and offer a variety of meads (honey wines) which are dry, semi-sweet or sweet. Some are traditional without any additional flavorings or spices, while others range from Summer Berry to Cucumber Mint to Sweet Heat. The Spohnheimers’ venture into meadmaking began with their own half dozen hives and has blossomed into wines made from the honey of other Iowa honey producers, including State Apiarist Andrew Joseph, who provided Tama County WLL programming in 2022. Tasting and mini-flights will be available for a small charge.

This event is free and open to the general public, both women and men. An RSVP is preferred by September 13 by phoning 641-484-2702, ext. 3 or by emailing melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net . Please provide a phone number in case the raindate is necessary.

To find Buzzed Bee Meadery, take County Road S-62 south five miles from Melbourne, then turn east onto 340th Street. Buzzed Bee is on the north side of 340th Street, about ¾ mile from the blacktop. The meadery is just a half hour drive from Tama-Toledo, or 20 minutes from Marshalltown.

Tama County Women, Land & Legacy began in 2007, part of a statewide USDA outreach project. This is the local group’s 46th event. Over 400 individuals from in and around Tama County have attended at least one event of the group’s events. Women, Land & Legacy is currently active in 42 Iowa counties and brings together Iowans interested in agriculture, local food and natural resources to converse, listen and become empowered for involvement on their landscape and in their communities.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this event should contact Stacie Buhr, 641-484-2702, ext. 3, at least 48 hours prior to the event or dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender. USDA and Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex or disability.