News

The Agricultural Campus was buzzing with activity as 26 beekeepers participated in the third module of the Modern Beekeeper: Basics to Business Program offered through Extended Learning. Participants hail from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec.

The Modern Beekeeper is a new hands-on production course developed from collaboration between Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture (Extended Learning), Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture,  Perennia and the Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association. 

Modeled after the popular “Modern Shepherd” Course, the Modern Beekeeper is comprised of 4 modules, timed with the annual beekeeping cycle. This course is designed for new farmers and existing producers with (at least three hives), who want to gain production skills and grow their business into a viable agricultural business. Participants gain valuable information and contacts in the classroom and see firsthand, on campus and local bee farms, the skills needed to be successful beekeepers.

The course is taught by a very talented  team which includes Andony Melathopolous, an Interdisciplinary PhD student at Dalhousie University whose research focuses on bee pollination of lowbush blueberries in Atlantic Canada and who has extensive experience in the industry across Canada.  We are also fortunate to have Tony Phillips, a local beekeeper  from Debert, NS who has taught beekeeping to producers for over 10 years. Dr. Chris Cutler from the Faculty of Agriculture has contributed to the development of the course and was instrumental in the initial set up. In addition Dr. Cutler shared his knowledge of bee biology with the participants. and many other experts from across the region.

The participants return to campus on September 14 and 15, 2013.

https://www.dal.ca/faculty/agriculture/extended-learning/programs-courses/learn2farm/the-modern-beekeeper.html