Virginia’s recently established Beehive Distribution Program provides beehives to both new and established beekeepers in an effort to increase the number of actively managed bee colonies across the Commonwealth. The program is administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The Beehive Distribution Program provides beehive equipment directly to eligible beekeepers. Residents of Virginia who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to receive up to three beehive units per year. Individuals who receive a beehive unit will be registered as beekeepers with VDACS, allowing for periodic inspection of beehives by the agency.
Staff will review applications for the Beehive Distribution Program in the order in which they are received. If all available beehive units are distributed before the fiscal year ends on June 30, 2019, VDACS will stop accepting applications and notify applicants that the program has ceased processing applications for the fiscal year. Applications will not carry forward to the next fiscal year.
“Last winter Virginia lost 59.5 percent of its hives,” said Keith Tignor, State Apiarist. “The Beehive Distribution Program will help counteract those dramatic losses by assisting beekeepers in establishing new hives.”
To learn more about the distribution program and submit an application, go to the VDACS website and search for “beehive distribution program” or click here.
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