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Farmer Pesticide Certificate Program 2021 update

This program covers important aspects of pesticide use on farms.
 
‘Like most things in 2020, the Farmer Pesticide Certificate Program has undergone some changes,’ says Devon Smiegielski, pesticide certification specialist with Alberta Environment and Parks. ‘The training material and information regarding the program is now housed on the Alberta Environment and Parks website.’
 
New and recertifying applicators will continue to work through their agricultural fieldman to obtain farmer certification.
 
‘Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, certified trainers are permitted to offer the training course online, provided participation is tracked through either the use of video or polls and quizzes.’
 
The duration of the training will remain the same length of 8 hours regardless if the training occurs online or in person. Smiegielski adds all exams will be administered in person following the Alberta Heath Services guidelines and restrictions at the time.
 
Trainers who require more information, attendance sheets or temporary certificates should contact pesticide certification specialist Devon Smiegielski.
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Alberta Honey: A Day at Molenkamp Honey Farms

Video: Alberta Honey: A Day at Molenkamp Honey Farms

When was the last time you read the label on your honey?

We spent a day at Molenkamp Honey Farms with Michael Molenkamp, who has been keeping bees for 17 seasons and runs three to four thousand hives. In mid-September, he was finishing treatments and getting his bees ready for winter, and he walked us through how Alberta honey gets made.

Alberta has just 150 commercial beekeepers running 300,000 colonies, and together they produce 40% of Canada’s honey. Long summer days and golden canola fields give Alberta honey a light flavour that’s hard to match anywhere else.

Molenkamp calls Alberta beekeepers some of the most resilient farmers he knows. There’s plenty of Alberta honey to go around, but a lot on our shelves isn’t from here, so his ask is simple. Give the label a second look and choose honey made by Alberta beekeepers, or buy straight from a beekeeper near you.