Mentor Responsibilities

• Must be a UTBA member with at least 3 years of successful beekeeping experience.

• Commit to several visits between April and October

• Guide and support mentees in problem-solving and hands-on beekeeping skills.

• Ensure a clean, safe, and biosecure environment.

• Model good record-keeping practices.

• Respond to mentee questions promptly and provide feedback to the mentorship coordinator.

• Mentor apiaries must be registered with OMAFRA.

• If training occurs at the mentor’s apiary, they must carry two up-to-date EpiPens.

Mentee Responsibilities

• Must be a UTBA member and committed to continuous learning through books, websites, and videos.

• Communicate with the mentor if a session needs to be rescheduled.

• Respect the mentor’s time by arriving prepared for each visit.

• Respond to mentor communications within 24 hours.

• Follow biosecurity protocols and maintain a clean, safe environment.

• Provide feedback to the mentorship coordinator.

• Understand that bee stings are a normal part of beekeeping and take personal responsibility for health and safety.

• If the mentee has hives, they must be registered with OMAFRA.

• If training occurs in the mentee’s yard, they must have liability insurance through the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association and carry two up-to-date EpiPens.