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The year 2016 marks the fourth group of aspiring commercial beekeepers, from across the Atlantic Region, to complete the Modern Beekeeper Course offered through Extended Learning.

Contributing to the success of the course has been the expertise and wisdom of the lead instructors, Andony Melathopoulos and Tony Phillips. Andony and Tony are moving on this year and we thank them for their dedication to the course. In their place, we welcome the contributions of the new teaching team: Robyn McCallum, Cameron Menzies and Sawyer Olmstead.   

In a combination of classroom, field and farm sessions, they, along with  experienced beekeepers, will lead participants through four weekend sessions, timed with the annual beekeeping cycle. The sessions cover topics such as bee biology, health and management, feeding, splitting, basic business all to increase skills, knowledge and awareness to take their beekeeping operations to the next level. 2017 course dates will soon be set.

Modern Beekeeper Fast Facts

Total completed the course to date: 67
Provincial representation: ON(1), QC(1), NL(3), NB (10), PE(5), NS (47)
# Hives owned by NS participants (2012-2015): apprx. 1100
% of hives owned by NS participants as percent of provincial total: 4-5%

Extended Learning is also pleased to offer a new blended beginners course for people who want to get into bees.  Click here for more information on

Photo credit: Sawyer Olmstead