BC-TTP Impact Report & Sustainable Funding Needs
The British Columbia Technology Transfer Program (BC-TTP), operating under the British Columbia Honey Producers Association (BCHPA), is dedicated to advancing a sustainable beekeeping industry in the province. Through applied research, education, and knowledge transfer, BC-TTP focuses on promoting honey bee health and colony productivity, which directly contributes to local food security. In collaboration with beekeepers, farmers, researchers, professional associations, and government agencies, BC-TTP promotes best management and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, addresses emerging challenges, and provides ongoing technical guidance to ensure the long-term sustainability of beekeeping in British Columbia. The program also develops educational materials and online beekeeping courses, delivers field workshops and presentations, and conducts outreach to support and involve beekeepers in ongoing research in distant and remote areas of BC; however, outreach activities are currently limited due to lack of funds.
Given the many challenges facing beekeepers, the BCHPA is committed to strengthening support through continued Education Days and an expanded focus on hands-on workshops across the province. In 2024, the BC-TTP delivered 20 workshops and presentations and 16 in 2025, with more scheduled. BC-TTP also launched an online learning platform with 30 students and graduated and 8 participants of the BC Beekeeping Instructors Course becoming certified instructors to reliably train new generations of beekeepers. The team is working with breeders and commercial beekeepers to improve local stock and increase the availability of queens and nucleus colonies. BC-TTP also partners with non-profits to reach remote communities and promote inclusivity in the sector. The beekeeping community remains highly engaged and eager to support the BC-TTP’s efforts to promote an economically viable, and growing beekeeping industry in BC.
BC-TTP is currently engaged in research-based. These include ongoing work on honey bee hygienic behavior to support BC bee breeders, Varroa mite resistance monitoring in BC in collaboration with SFU, supporting the National Bee Diagnostic Centre in nation-wide Varroa mite resistance research, overwintering and queen health studies in collaboration with UBC, and province-wide American foulbrood (AFB) disease surveillance with the potential development of a risk assessment tool. However, these funds are restricted to specific research activities and do not provide core support for fulfilling the broader mission of delivering educational workshops, knowledge transfer activities and outreach to remote areas of British Columbia. With the current funding, BC-TTP can only operate until March 1, 2027. Continued support is essential to sustain program operations, maintain technical expertise, and expand educational and research initiatives that benefit the beekeeping industry across the province.
We request a minimum of $70,000 annually from the Government to support BC-TTP’s core activities, with the following allocation and timeline:
Transportation and field visits to distant and remote areas – $10,000 (March–October)
Applied research trials focusing on emerging pest challenges – $10,000 (April–October)
Field workshops and training sessions for beekeepers – $15,000 (May–August)
Outreach and engagement initiatives to involve beekeepers in ongoing research – $10,000 (March–October)
Development of educational materials and online courses – $10,000 (Year-round)
Staff salaries and remuneration – $15,000 (Year-round)
This funding will ensure BC-TTP remains fully operational and able to continue supporting honey bee health, research, and education activities across British Columbia.