This week the Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association, along with ATTTA, hosted an afternoon beekeeping event in Parrsboro. Fourteen attendees joined the session, creating an engaged group with lots of discussion and questions! Events like these are so important, helping beekeepers learn from one another and connecting with people in similar areas. Field events give everyone a chance to ask questions, share experiences and see how others manage their own operations.

Review of the NSBA Technical Session in Parrsboro

This event started with introductions by Dr. Andrew Byers apart of the Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture, followed by Zoshia Fraser, who represented the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. Jennifer and David Harrison then welcomed everyone and introduced themselves, sharing the history of their beekeeping operation, how they got started and the work they do today. We were grateful for them opening their operation and welcoming beekeepers into their apiary for the afternoon.

Figure 1: Attendees in Jennifer Harrison’s Apiary (ATTTA ©, 2026)

After introductions, everyone suited up and headed into the hives. Jennifer began by showing the tools and equipment she likes to keep on hand in her operation. She explained her record keeping system, based on the year colour of the queens, to mark her hives and label tasks that need to be done.  This highlighted the importance of implementing an efficient way to keep track of the hives in her apiary. She also demonstrated her queen marking tools, her Cloake board setup, and her grafting frames. One highlight was her mating nucs, which were a standard deep box divided into three sections, each with its own entrance. 

Figure 2: Jennifer Harrison showing equipment she uses in her operation (ATTTA ©, 2026)

The group then split into two, one group with Jennifer, where she walked through assessing hive strength. Students learned when to split based on resources in the hive and the strength of the colony. She shared examples from her own operation, giving attendees knowledge on how she manages colony growth. The second group joined Andrew, who demonstrated how to inspect a captured swarm. He explained what to look for, how to monitor for varroa, and how to test mite levels using both an alcohol wash and an ether roll. He also discussed what steps to take after catching a swarm to ensure the colony is healthy. 

Figure 3: Jennifer Harrison performing an alcohol wash (Left) and Dr. Andrew Byers conducting an ether roll (Right) (ATTTA ©, 2026)

The afternoon was filled with enthusiasm, questions and great conversation. With 14 participants, the event offered hands-on learning and important discussions. Thank you so much to the Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association for supporting such a valuable session. A special thank you as well to Jennifer and David Harrison for being such welcoming and generous hosts. Their willingness to share their operation made this event a success and highlighted the value of learning from others! 

 Written by Kaitlyn Newton, ATTTA Seasonal Apiculturist

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email attta@perennia.ca

 

In the Maritimes, wild blueberry production depends on insect pollination and beekeepers play an important role in making that possible. Because honey bees are the main pollinator used in wild blueberry fields, the relationship between blueberry growers and beekeepers is very important to the industry’s success. Events like the WBPANS field day help strengthen that partnership and highlight important work happening in the industry.

Review of the 2026 WBPANS Field Day

June has been an eventful month for the Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture! This week on Wednesday June 24^th, ATTTA attended the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia (WBPANS) annual field day in Onslow. This field day provided an opportunity for producers to engage with new products, industry updates, and advanced techniques all related to the wild blueberry industry.

The morning began with registration, followed by an overview of the day’s events. Attendees then travelled to a local producer’s blueberry fields, where, along with blueberry specialist Hugh Lyu (Perennia), the impact of last year’s drought was discussed. This also included a mention of the impacts on wild blueberry production of this spring’s colder than average weather. This set the tone for the group to tour the Wild Blueberry Research Institute, learning about ongoing research projects from Dr. David Percival (Dalhousie University). The morning taught producers and beekeepers more about the current struggles happening in the industry, research on wild blueberry production, and provided the chance to ask questions directly to industry experts.

Figure 1: Peter Swinkels, blueberry producer, (Left) and Hugh Lyu (Right) on a Wild Blueberry Field (ATTTA ©, 2026)

After returning to the main venue, River Breeze Farm, participants spent the rest of the morning viewing trade show exhibits, which featured equipment suppliers, agri-businesses and research groups.  This experience gave attendees the chance to connect directly with service providers and build up an appetite. Lunch was catered by Sizzlers BBQ, which included a delicious wild blueberry crumble for dessert.

Following lunch, opening remarks from the WBPANS president Andrew Dobson, were followed by greetings from The Honourable Greg Morrow, Minister of Agriculture. The Minister recognized both the importance and the challenges of the wild blueberry industry. The WBPANS executive director, Janette McDonald, provided updates on the WBPANS organization. Hugh Lyu delivered an industry overview, discussing struggles producers have faced over the last year, and indicated that there is an optimistic expectation for wild blueberries this year.  It was predicted, looking at the current situation, that the Nova Scotia crop yield may be 30-40 million pounds.

Figure 2: Andrew Dobson, President of the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia  (ATTTA ©, 2026)

Following the speakers, attendees moved outdoors for field demonstrations, and equipment displays. ATTTA hosted a display which focused on how to set up an electric fence to protect honey bees and bumble bees in areas with high bear pressure. This included how baiting techniques are used to train wildlife about fences, proper grounding for reliable fence performance, and considerations for placing honey bee and bumble bee colonies in wild blueberry fields, including recommended distances between them (100m). These demonstrations highlight to producers the importance of protecting hives, how to reduce wildlife conflicts and how to support pollination for wild blueberries.

Figure 3: ATTTA’s Demonstration of an Electric Fence designed for High-Bear Pressure Areas (in front of the River Breeze Farm)  (ATTTA ©, 2026)

The WBPANS Field Day was another successful event, with help of producers, researchers and industry partners to show support for the industry of which they are part. The turnout was amazing, with 214 people registered for the event! Thank you so much to the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia for hosting such a great field day!

Written by Kaitlyn Newton, ATTTA Seasonal Apiculturist

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email attta@perennia.ca