As fresh fruit and vegetable production winds down, Virginia’s honey harvest ramps up in September, making it a good time to find local honey at farmers’ markets, festivals and other celebrations.
To acknowledge the work of those harvesting honey and the value of honey to the Commonwealth, Governor Terry McAuliffe has proclaimed September as Honey Month.
Pollination provided by honey bees is an integral part of the agricultural industry and honey production is a byproduct of this pollination. Virginia crops such as apples, pumpkins, cucumbers, squash and blueberries are dependent on pollinators to fully develop their fruits. Production of other crops such as soybeans, sunflowers and even peanuts receive benefit from pollination by honey bees and other insect pollinators. In fact, pollination by honey bees contributes more than $16 billion to the value of U.S. crop production each year.
“Every Virginian should celebrate Honey Month by not only enjoying the variety of delicious honey flavors, its medicinal properties and versatility, but they should also take actions to help sustain Virginia’s honey bee population,” said Keith Tignor, State Apiarist at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Tignor suggests the following actions to help sustain Virginia’s honey bee population:
- Plant a pollinator garden with a diversity of nectar and pollen sources.
- Become a beekeeper. Beginner classes are sponsored by a number of local beekeeper groups around the state. The Virginia State Beekeepers Association can help by suggesting a local group to answer questions or mentor a new beekeeper.
- Build a nesting site for native bees.
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