Commercial Beekeeping - Certificate Program (Fairview)

2011-2012 Academic Year

2012-2013 Academic Year

Designed to prepare graduates to make a living as beekeepers, this program provides a thorough study of apiculture and the beekeeping business. Classroom study is combined with industry work experience and practicum visits to large commercial operations to provide a solid foundation for commercial beekeeping. The program is divided approximately equally into theoretical and practical learning. A highlight is the extensive study of queen rearing. A unique feature is the 26-week paid work experience: students are placed with commercial beekeepers where they work for a salary and acquire practical experience with beekeeping and honey production.

Admission to this program is on a first qualified, first admitted basis.

Students must be a minimum of 18 years of age and have a minimum of:

• Alberta English 20-2 or equivalent and
• Alberta Math 20-3 or equivalent

Students unable to present the English/Math requirements should consult the program coordinator.

International students must demonstrate proficiency in English at a Level 7 and satisfy GPRC’s requirements for English Language Proficiency. For details, refer to admissions section of the College Calendar at http://www.gprc.ab.ca/programs/calendar or contact the Registrar’s office.

International students may consider enrolling in ESL programming at GPRC prior to the Beekeeping program start to ensure English competency and establish a foundation for success in the program. International students should apply 6-12 months in advance of the program start date to give sufficient time for program authorization. An international driving license recommended. Students must

• Be in good general health, as beekeeping is a physically demanding vocation
• Present medical documentation demonstrating non-allergenic reactions to honey bee stings, as students in the program will experience bee stings

Because beekeepers work with food, Canadian public health regulations may require additional health-related testing in Fairview.

Students must successfully complete BK101, BK110, BK133, and BK134 to progress to BK200. Students must successfully complete BK200 to progress to the courses in the Business of Beekeeping during October & November.

• BK101 (2) Basic Apiary and Field Skills             
• BK110 (3) Technical Woodworking                           
• BK122 (1.5) Introductory Botany                       
• BK132 (4) Honey Bee Biology                   
• BK133 (1.5) Introduction to Bee Diseases and Management
• BK134 (5) Hive Management for Honey Production

March to September

• BK135 (5) Queen Rearing (3 weeks; May/June)
• BK200 (5) Beekeeping Work Experience

Business of Beekeeping
October & November

• BK310 (1.5) Food Safety and Regulations for Beekeepers
• BK320 (5) Business of Bees                    
• BK331 (3) Advance Management Options for Beekeepers
• BK332 (4) Product Processing, Packaging and Marketing
• BK333 (1) Processing and Packaging Field Trip
• BK361 (2.5) Integrated Pest Management        
• BK365 (1) Bees and the Environment

Students with a program Grade Point Average of 2.00 or more, satisfactory completion of the work experience, and 45 credits are eligible for a Certificate in Commercial Beekeeping.

This program provides graduates with substantive knowledge, skills and practical experience for a future in commercial beekeeping—as workers, lead hands or even as future owners. Graduates will be prepared for employment in Canada, the US, and other parts of the world as:

• Apiary assistants and field supervisors with commercial beekeepers
• Technicians with government agriculture departments
• Self-employed beekeepers
• Project coordination for beekeeping/honey production projects in the developing world