Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development is offering three apiculture extension courses for both new and seasoned apiarists.
The beginner’s beekeeping course focuses on the biology and management of honeybees in Alberta. During two days of classroom work in November and a half-day in the field in May, students will learn the practical aspects of purchasing bees, assembling equipment, seasonal management, pest and disease management, handling bees safely, production, extraction, and selling honey. The course will be held in Airdrie (Nov. 28-29 and May 9) and Edmonton (Nov. 21-22 and May 9).
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The intermediate beekeeping short course is for beekeepers who have kept honeybees for at least one full year. The one-day course includes a review of the biology of honeybees through the seasons. It also includes improvement of management practices for swarming control, making nuclei (splitting colonies), feeding, and wintering. Pest diagnoses, pest management using Integrated Pest Management principles, and consumer expectations will also be discussed.
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It is not mandatory but strongly recommended that participants take the beginner’s beekeeping course first and have kept bees for at least one year. The course takes place in Edmonton on Feb. 21 and Airdrie on Feb. 28.
The one-day honey food safety workshop focuses on the safe use of agricultural chemicals and implementation of On-Farm Food Safety Program and biosecurity practices. It includes information on producing quality safe honey; residues; proper use, handling and storage of agricultural chemicals; information on the federal Food and Drugs Act; and minimizing the risk of introducing and spreading disease and pests. The workshop will be held in Airdrie on March 12 and Edmonton on March 19.
To register or for more information, please call 1-800-387-6030.
