Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Apiculture is an industry that has existed for hundreds of years and has become important to the agricultural industry as a source of pollination. Pollination by bees contributes to over fifteen billion dollars of crops in the US agricultural economy (NRDC, 2011). Enterprise CGriffin Inc. is a Rivere-Saint-Paul based company and serves the needs of the local population and the surrounding villages. The company is owned by Chesley Griffin who has over 30 years experiences in northern permaculture and running small-medium enterprises. The company's focus has been retail and is currently expanding into utilizing Mr. Griffin's expertise to expand its contribution to the regional agricultural market through pollination. The company wishes to diversify its activities and expand, by developing new apiculture wintering techniques, to better meet the growing pollination demand of berry producers in northern Quebec.*Centre d'expérimentation et de développement en forêt boréale (CEDFOB) is experienced in working with SME in entomology research to benefit the organization, and it is because of this that Mr. Griffin wishes to work with them and benefit from their knowledge and experience in this project.The project will explore the benefits of indoor wintering in a hibernation chamber in Bonne-Esperance, in increase hive survival and increase the efficiency of the operation.*