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BEEKEEPING COURSES, SEMINARS & PRESENTATIONS

Integrated Pest Management 

Duration - 2.0 hours

 

Designed to suit the needs of beekeepers of all experience levels, this seminar provides insight into best practices of Integrated Pest Management to assist local beekeepers in the development of a specialized IPM program for their apiary.  Pest management strategies include variables in techniques that are tailored to each situation in order to keep pest populations at a manageable level.  Recognizing  that there can be no "one size fits all approach", we talk about using prevention techniques, pest identification, population monitoring and treatments.  The entire seminar is focused on developing techniques and strategies that support bee health and productivity throughout the season.

 

COURSE CODE CE.IPM 20 

Splits and Supering

Duration - 2.0 hours

 

For the beginner and experienced beekeeper alike, this seminar discusses the why and how of spring splits.  The content will focus on propagation of the species, swarm control using splits and various accepted methods to split a hive.  All of the topics are designed to allow the beekeeper to use techniques and strategies that support bee health and productivity throughout the season.

COURSE CODE CE.SSS.20 

Fall and Winter Apiary Management

Duration - 2.0 hours

 

Exploring standard practices to prepare your hive for winter survival, this seminar looks at a seasonal management plan designed to get to winter weight as quickly and safely as possible, and includes discussion on nutrition, pest management, hive winter configuration, and winterizing the hive.  All of the topics are designed to allow the beekeeper to use techniques and strategies that support bee health and survivability throughout the winter season.

COURSE CODE CE.HAW.20 

Harvest Season

Duration 1.0 hours

 

Harvesting honey is likely one of the most rewarding aspects of beekeeping, and is typically the culmination of months of hard work.  This seminar takes a look at the various ways to harvest, both mechanical and "by hand" extraction techniques and the tools required.  It also delves into the properties of the honey you are harvesting with a focus on producing stable clear honey.

COURSE CODE CE.HS20 

MASTER BEEKEEPER - A Three Year Program

YEAR ONE BEGINNER

 

Duration  4 Modules long, each module is 2.0 hours

 

This entry level program is designed for beginners to introduce students to  the basics of beekeeping.  Students will get a basic understanding of honey bee anatomy as well as how to look after their hives through the seasons of the year.  Covering how to manage bees and to identify common pests and diseases of the honeybee, students are taught how to best manage their bees to optimize bee health.  This course is also the first year of a three year program to complete the Country Fields Beekeeping Supplies  / Abbigail Honey Farms Master Beekeeper certification  The course is open to anyone interested in beekeeping or anyone who is already keeping bees and wants to further their knowledge level.   The only prerequisites for the program is the desire to learn about bees!   The four modules are focused on an Introduction to Beekeeping,  Spring Apiary Management, Summer Apiary Management, and Fall  / Winter Management.  NOTE:  Each module must be taken in sequence.

COURSE CODE MBY1B

YEAR TWO INTERMEDIATE

 

Duration  4 Modules long, each module is 2.0 hours

 

A more in-depth look into bees and their management, this program is the next step in the graduated program towards earning a Master Beekeeper Certificate.  It is designed to enhance the lessons from year 1 and investigates a bit deeper into topics covered in year 1.  Students will receive instruction in honey bees’ anatomy both internal and external and provides a working knowledge of honey bee diseases and pests.  The four modules are focused on Bee Biology and Integrated Pest Management, Winter Damage, Swarms and IPM,  Pheromones, Bee Nutrition, Flowers, Poisonings and IPM,   Fall / Winter Management, Queens, Stings and Bee Venom, and IPM.  NOTE:  Students must have completed all modules from year 1 Beginner and have kept bees for 1 season.  Again each module of this program must be taken in sequence.

 

To be eligible for this course, students must have completed Year 1 Beginner and have 1 season of beekeeping experience at Beginner level

COURSE CODE MBY2I

YEAR THREE ADVANCED

 

Duration  4 Modules long, each module is 2.0 hours

 

The third and final year of instruction, this program focuses on specific honeybee issues related to pests, pathogens, diseases and pesticides.  In the course of these subjects, a very in-depth study of bee anatomy and biology is undertaken, focusing on bee interaction with other pollinators and the flowers they compete with.  There is a large amount of research and project work in this year.  NOTE:  Students must have completed all modules from year 2 Apprentice and have kept bees for 1 season.  Again each module of this program must be taken in sequence.

To be eligible for this course, students must have completed Year 2 Intermediate and have 1 season of beekeeping experience at the Intermediate level

COURSE CODE MBY3A

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