THE ROGER A. MORSE HONEY SHOW
Now is the time to be preparing samples for the 2023 Fall Empire State Honey Producers' Association Roger A. Morse Honey Show. This year's show will be much the same as in past years. Liquid extracted honey, beeswax and mead will be featured. We are also introducing a new bee themed photography contest!
All current members of the Empire State Honey Producers' Association are welcome and encouraged to participate. All entries shall be produced in New York State. A Blue Rosette for first place entrants will be awarded as well as a cash prize of $100. Second places winners will be awarded a Red Rosette and $50 cash. An additional prize of $100 will be awarded to the best of show from the extracted honey classes and $100 in cash will be awarded to the best of show from the beeswax classes. The best of show entries will be auctioned off at the Friday evening banquet.
The 2023 show will feature four classes of liquid extracted honey: light, light amber, amber and dark amber.. There will also be three classes of beeswax: a one-pound block, molded dinner candles and dipped taper dinner candles. There will be four Mead classes and there will be a honey taste-only “black jar” competition.
So, here is what you need to do:
Liquid Extracted Honey Classes:
• Submit three samples per class in one pound/454g classic, queenline or similar style honey jars.
• There shall be no labeling on the jar
• Plastic or metal lids may be used
Judging criteria: Don’t worry about matching Pfund grade specifications. The judge will determine the class. However, if you plan to enter more than one color class, enter a significant difference in colors so they don’t end up in the same class. Samples will be judged on the following:
1) Moisture content (density); entries over 18.6% moisture will be disqualified
2) Absence of crystals
3) Cleanliness (absence of dirt, wax, foam, lint or air bubbles)
4) flavor (off flavor such as burned or fermented honey)
5) Container appearance (glass defects will not be judged) lint, fingerprints, dirt etc.
6) Accuracy and uniformity of filling
Beeswax Classes:
• For the one-pound block of beeswax the sample shall be at least one pound. Points will be deducted for underweight entries.
• For the molded and dipped beeswax dinner candle classes, submit a pair of matching candles. The drip end of dipped candles should be left intact and the wick between the two candles should not be cut on the dipped candles. Wicks on the molded candles should be trimmed to ½ inch and the bottoms of the candles should be flat and fit into a standard candle holder.
Again, no identifying markings are allowed on the beeswax products. It is recommended that all beeswax entries be submitted in a clear plastic wrap that can easily be removed for judging (this keeps dirt from sticking to the entry during handling.
Wax Judging criteria:
The samples will be judged on:
1) Cleanliness, air bubbles
2) Color and Aroma
3) Uniformity of appearance
4) Cracks, shrinkage, and other defects
5) In the case of candles, the correct wick
Black Jar Class:
A single 1lb jar of honey should be submitted. If you wish to tape over the jar to hide the color of the sample you may do so. The sample will be judged solely on flavor. A panel of “celebrity” judges will decide the best taste. A $25 cash prize will be awarded for the best tasting jar of honey.
MEAD Class Descriptions
Mead, dry, one bottle
Mead, sweet, one bottle
Mead made with fruit or juices [Melomel, Cyser or Pyment], one bottle
Mead, sparkling, made with or without fruit juices, one bottle
PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW
Class Descriptions
P1 Close-up/macro print; Subject must clearly relate to beekeeping OR portrait print; Person or beekeeping procedure in appropriate setting
P2 Scenic print; Apiary subject such as flowers, hives, etc. OR essay, prints; A set of 4 to 7 pictures depicting a beekeeping story.
1. The photo contest is open to all photographers. Amateur to professional
2. Prints must be 8” x 10” inches. Class P1, P2, P3 are to be mounted flush on mat board or foam board. No glass frames are permitted. Class P4, Essay prints may be mounted on one mounting board and not matted. Prints may be black & white or colored. Digitally enhanced or AI “photos” are not allowed to enter and will be disqualified.
3. Photographs can be entered only once.
4. Each photograph, including the Essay as a set, must be accompanied by the photo title, on a removable 3” x 5” card with the entrants name, address, city, state, zip code and telephone number on the REVERSE side of the card. Also include the class entered, camera used, location and date taken.
5. Brief captions must accompany the Essay photographs. The order of Essay photographs must be indicated clearly.
6. Entrants must agree to have their photos published by ESHPA in any/all appropriate publications, including a potential to be in a fund raising calendar giving full credit to you, the photographer
Finally, all honey and photography entries shall be submitted no later than 10:00am on Friday, November 10th, 2023. If a member is unable to submit his or her samples at that time a trusted friend may enter the samples. Except for the best of show samples, all samples may be returned after the Friday evening banquet. Please do consider entering the show. There is no entry fee, there is the prestige of winning a ribbon and cash prize(s). If you have any questions regarding the honey show you may call Mark Fiegl @ 315-576-1930