East Central Reporter

Illinois Rep. Dave Severin recently honored Rose Leedle, a Mulkeytown resident, after she became the president of the Illinois State Beekeepers Association.

“This association was implemented or started in 1891, so there’s quite a buzz in my district about her being the first state beekeepers association woman president,” Severin said. “So, her name is Rose Leedle. Her and her husband and sons, they own a company called Leedle Houme Bees in Christopher, in Mulkeytown, which is right outside of Christopher.”

The association works to ensure beekeepers maintain their bees and use the pollinators to manage crops.

Representative Dave Severin

The Illinois State Beekeepers Association offers a variety of opportunities for individuals interested in becoming beekeepers to learn about the activity, as well as the importance of the bees in pollinating flowers. The Food and Drug Administration said in a recent article that bees are moneymakers.

“The greatest importance of honey bees to agriculture isn’t a product of the hive at all,” the article said. “It’s their work as crop pollinators. This agricultural benefit of honey bees is estimated to be between 10 and 20 times the total value of honey and beeswax. In fact, bee pollination accounts for about $15 billion in added crop value.”

Leeedle isn’t the only beekeeper in a position of leadership. Her husband, Doug, is the Southern Director of the Illinois State Beekeepers Association, according to Leedle Houme Bees. 

Leedle Houme Bees offers beekeeping supplies, clothing, medications and other items. 

PlanteBee Foundation reported approximately 90% of plants need pollinators to reproduce.

The Illinois House of Representatives passed House Resolution 0737 to honor Leedle. It reads in part: 

“WHEREAS, Rose Leedle operates Leedle-Houme Bees as a family-owned business alongside her husband, Doug Leedle, and their three sons, Josh, Andy, and Matt; with her family, she conducts beekeeping classes in the area and in their bee yard, and WHEREAS, Rose Leedle loves teaching others about the necessity of bees and the art of beekeeping; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rose Leedle on the occasion of her election as the first female president of the Illinois State Beekeepers Association; and be it further RESOLVED, That we commend the Illinois State Beekeepers Association and all beekeeping operations in the State of Illinois for their significant contributions to the betterment of agriculture in our state.”