Commercial Honey Production Course
| Dates | June 9 - July 18, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Instructors | Scott Debnam (primary) and Jerry Bromenshenk (co-instructor) |
| Registration Fee | $395 |
| Location | Course meets fully online. |
Course Description
This course teaches Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ how to produce and market bee products commercially. Based on the principles of honey bee ecology, the course begins with choosing and setting up each apiary. We will show how to manage and super hives for honey production, as well as how to remove supers for honey extraction. Videos of state-of-the-art honey plants illustrate the next steps in processing honey and wax by highlighting facilities that use automated extraction lines for high throughput of honey. Filmed demonstrations include making creamed honey, maximizing wax yield, and producing slumgum for value-added products. This course summarizes food product safety and personnel safety. Since honey is a food product, the class introduces the idea of implementing a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program. The HACCP ensures food safety by tracking and reporting all steps in producing honey to trace each batch back to its source. During the course, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ will learn about record keeping, food and personnel safety, and other requirements in the food production industry. Students will learn how to classify and differentiate their bee products from others on the market, to improve their sales. This course teaches you how to maximize yields, ease production, and find profitable markets for your bees' products.
Beekeepers who wish to expand their operations to a large scale or commercial level should take this course. The content also helps small and backyard beekeepers looking to maximize honey yields.
The course is structured with weekly topics, discussion forums, assignments, and quizzes. There are deadlines to complete each weekly assessment. However, there are no scheduled class meeting times when all Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ need to be logged in and “attending” the course at the same time. Instead, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ work on the course at whatever times best fit their schedule. Instructions for logging on to the online course will be sent to registrants about one week before the class begins. Participants must have access to an internet-connected computer and should allow for 7-10 hours per week of study time. The course is taught online through Moodle, the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥’s online learning system. View the computer system requirements.
Upon successful completion of the course, 5.0 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) will be awarded and a certificate issued.
Prerequisites
-
Successful completion of UM's Apprentice Level Beekeeping Course (or test out of the Apprentice course)
Required Course Materials
The Hive and the Honey Bee
Joe Graham, Editor, 2015 Revision
ISBN 978-0-915698-16-5 (Hardcover)
Available through
Beekeeping in Western Canada
John Guszka, Editor. Information Services, Agriculture Canada in Ottawa, Ont.
ISBN 0-7732-6139-7 (pbl.: alk.Paper). The 1998 edition or newer is required.
Printed version available through .
Free, electronic version available through .
Honeybee Ecology: A Study of Adaptation in Social Life
Thomas A. Seeley
ISBN 0-691-08391-6
Available in Hardcover, Paperback, and Kindle format through or other retailers.
Course Policies
-
Beekeeping courses are dependent upon a minimum number of registered Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to run. If the minimum enrollment is not met, the course will be cancelled and registrants fully refunded. Courses are limited to a maximum enrollment with registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Once a course is full, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ will be added to a waitlist and notified if an opening becomes available.
Registration fees vary by course and full payment is required at the time of registration. If your payment is not received by one week before the course start date, you will be dropped from the course.
-
Students will receive full refunds for cancellations received up to one week before the course start date. To cancel a course, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ should call Student Support Services, (406) 243-6495.
Refunds are generally not provided for cancellations received after a course begins. Please note the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ requires a "Substitute W-9 Form" in order to process refunds for payments made by check. The "Substitute W-9" form requires the student’s Social Security Number.
-
UM will provide reasonable accommodations for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ with disabilities. To request an accommodation, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ should contact Student Support Services, (406) 243-6495, at least two weeks before a course starts.