Commercial Pollination Course
| Dates | November 3 - December 12, 2025 |
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| Instructors | Scott Debnam (primary) and Jerry Bromenshenk (co-instructor) |
| Registration Fee | $395 |
| Location | Course meets fully online. |
Course Description
Most commercial beekeeping businesses in the United States are migratory. Beekeepers and their bees follow the seasonal bloom cycles of various croplands and orchards. Truckers move bees nationally (east to the west coast), regionally (across states), and locally (within a state or county). Insect pollinators play a crucial role in crop production, contributing billions of dollars annually to the industry. Among them, honey bees are America's primary commercial pollinators, owing to their large population and ease of management and transportation. This course aims to equip Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ with the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the demanding field of commercial pollination.
In the Commercial Pollination course, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ learn the basics of insect pollination, learn which insects are most commonly utilized in agricultural settings, and receive an overview of migratory beekeeping and pollination economics. We’ll discuss successful overwintering strategies, overwintering colony dynamics, and hive monitoring technologies. Students will learn the biological needs of colonies in transport and interstate transport laws, as well as the process of colony brokering, including detailed knowledge of a typical pollination contract. The course also addresses risk management, farm loans, and the private and government programs in place to mitigate loss from damage, liability, and natural disasters.
Beekeepers who wish to expand their operations to a large scale or commercial level should take this course.
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.
Prerequisite
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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 .
Course Policies
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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.
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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.
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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.