New (and No-Cost) Statewide Beehive Program–Suspended
Effective July 30, 2018, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has suspended the Beehive Distribution Program for fiscal year 2018-19 due to the extraordinary number of applications received by VDACS. The Beehive Distribution Program experienced overwhelming interest from Virginia’s citizens as more than 2,600 applications have been submitted since the opening of the application period on July 1, 2018. VDACS anticipates that the current applications will utilize all funding allocated for the program.
Virginia has experienced a sharp decline in beehives. You can help rebuild the critical local buzz that’s needed.
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.
“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.”
The 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, allowing for periodic inspection of beehives by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
