On November 8, 2025 Dan Ziehli was honored as the WHPA 2025 Beekeeper of the Year at the annual Fall Convention in Neenah, WI.
Dan Ziehli with WHPA President Tracy Malterer
His unwavering dedication to teaching, mentoring, and advancing beekeeping knowledge has made him an invaluable resource for both new and experienced beekeepers. First and foremost, Dan is a beekeeper. He was engaged in his family’s Wisconsin beekeeping operation for 60 years, having been raised around bees and beekeepers most of his life. He became active in the industry as a DATCP apiary inspector, not only providing a necessary service to commercial beekeepers, but also providing critical education to new beekeepers and to members of county clubs and WHPA Districts. He worked diligently to help beekeepers understand colony health, pest management, and regulatory standards.
He served as Western District chair, often hosting events that included hands-on demonstrations and practical learning opportunities that reflected his commitment to teaching through experience. Dan serves as a member of the WHPA’s Education Committee, focusing on member education, along with the Bear Advisory Committee, helping to teach non-beekeepers about the challenges that bears bring to the beeyard. He has worked to stay at the forefront of important issues facing the industry. A volunteer at his core, he has been helpful with convention, WHPA promotions, and other events, advocating on behalf of the industry.
He has been instrumental in the development and success of the UW Beekeeping Short Course, where his vision and passion have kept the project progressing. Serving on the advisory board, he has contributed significantly to the grant development and program creation, ensuring that the course provides strong, research-based education for participants. His direct involvement extends beyond planning. He has provided instruction for veterinary training programs, even supplying and transporting hives to the UW Campus for hands-on sessions.
Dan serves as a mentor and a youth scholars’ program mentor, offering guidance and resources to beekeepers of all levels. His generosity with both time and knowledge demonstrates his belief that the strength of the Wisconsin beekeeping industry rests on a well educated and connected community. His impact is evident in formal programs of which he has been part and also in the countless beekeepers who have grown from his guidance, sharing ideas and science while poring over frames of bees.
In appreciation for his outstanding service and dedication to the WHPA, we congratulate Dan Ziehli as Beekeeper of the Year!
The Beekeeper of the Year Award is presented each year to a member who has made a significant contribution to the honey production industry in Wisconsin, has been an active leader at the local, state and/or national level, stands as a model of good beekeeping husbandry and business dealings and is a respected member of the community.