Events

BCHPA Annual General Meeting & Educational Workshop October 20-23, 2011. Delta Vancouver Aiport Hotel, Richmond, BC.

The AGM of Alberta Beekeepers will be held at the Fantasyland Hotel, 7-9 November.

COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING A Unique One-Year Certificate Program PROGRAM DETAILS Start Date: January 9, 2012 Location: Fairview College Campus, Fairview, Alberta 1-888-999-7882 Student Numbers: maximum 12 PROGRAM COSTS Tuition $4500 International ($9000) Application fee: $60 International ($120) Tuition deposit $250 Books & Supplies $500 Auxiliary Fees $800 (course fees, field trips, student health, etc) Living Expenses approximately $5000 (5 months at Fairview College: student residence-500/month + food estimated at $1000/month) Note: it is expected that accommodation will be provided during the summer work experience Anticipated Work Experience Income Students are placed with commercial beekeeping operations for work experience from March through September and paid a salary for their work with an industry salary range of $13.50 to $15.50 per hour. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS The Theory of Apiculture (January/February) BK 101 Basic Apiary & Field Skills 2(0-0-4) 8 weeks; 32 hours This course addresses the practical skills needed for day-to-day commercial beekeeping operations. These include safety, truck & forklift driving and maintenance, loading and tying a truck, preparing brood chambers and assembling supers. BK 110 Technical Woodworking 3(1-0-4.5) 8 weeks; 44 hours This hands-on course is designed to give students basic skills with saws and woodworking equipment used to manufacture beehives and related equipment. BK 122 Introductory Botany 1.5(2-0-1)8 weeks; 24 hours This course is an introduction to the structures and functions of flowering plants, physiology of nectar and pollen, and crops that can be used in honey production. BK 132 Honey Bee Biology 4(4-0-3) 8 weeks; 56 hours This course provides an in-depth study of honey bees, their behavior and anatomy. Honey bee genetics, bee breeding and selection, and the colony will also be covered. BK 133 Introduction to Bee Diseases & Management 1.5 (2-0-1) 8 weeks; 24 hours This is an introduction to microbiology, honey bee diseases and the integrated pest management approach to disease management. BK 134 Hive Management for Honey Production 5(2-0-7.5) 8 weeks; 76 hours This `nuts & bolts' course is a practical introduction to all phases of beekeeping and honey production through the yearly beekeeping cycle. www.gprc.ab.ca March/September Courses: BK 135 Queen Rearing 5(16-0-16) 3 weeks; 96 hours This course examines the theory behind queen rearing, management practices involved in producing queens on a commercial scale, and a substantial field experience component. Course structure: classroom learning (1 week, 32 hours) + field trips/practicum experience (2 weeks of 32 hours each) BK 200 Beekeeping Work Experience 5(0-0-40) 26 weeks; 1,040 hours This is a 26-week paid practical work experience; students are placed with a commercial beekeeping operation. The Business of Beekeeping (October/November) BK 310 Food Safety & Regulations for Beekeepers 1.5(3.5-0-0) 7 weeks; 24.5 hours Course is a study of government regulations, policies, guidelines, standards and certifications that impact honey production, processing, marketing. Includes honey house requirements and hygiene, current issues/trends for food safety and traceability. BK 320 Business of Bees 5(5.5-3-2) 7 weeks; 73.5 hours This course provides an overview of sound business practices in the management of an apiary. Topics include principles and practices for business start-up, budgeting, financial record keeping, computer fundamentals, information management, and resources for honey operations. BK331 Advanced Management Options for Beekeepers 3(2.5-2-2) 7 weeks; 45.5 hours This course is an in-depth study of various contemporary options to increase production, manage bees, or increase value. BK 332 Product Processing, Packaging, and Marketing 4(2-3-1) 7 weeks; 42 hours A look at honey house design, processing methods, value-adding options, packaging, market trends for honey, options for selling honey and honey-related products. BK 333 Processing & Packaging Field Trip 1 (0-0-33) 1 week; 33 hours This course is a week-long field trip to major honey processing and packaging facilities in Alberta. Students will visit various commercial processors, see many packaging and value-adding options, and have the opportunity to discuss processing and packaging with industry leaders. BK 361 Integrated Pest Management 2.5(3-0-2) 7 weeks; 35 hours Focus on the integrated approach to manage pests, diseases, parasites and other threats to bees/colonies and an in-depth study of monitoring, control strategies, and the safe use and handling of chemicals used to maintain hive health. BK 365 Bees and the Environment 1(2-0-0) 7 weeks; 14 hours This course provides a larger context for the practice of beekeeping. Topics include an overview of the industry in Canada, North America and globally, the evolution of beekeeping, the role of bees in the human food link, global issues and trends in beekeeping and the role of beekeepers in advocacy for bees and the environment.

Ontario Beekeepers Association AGM Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview

Apimondia 2012 is now at the Chateau Laurier.

Location: Rio All-Suite Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada

January 26-28., 2012 Fort Garry Hotel Winnipeg