Virginia is trying to increase their bee population with a new program that will hand out beehives and beekeeping equipment directly to state beekeepers.

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) just launched the Beehive Distribution Program, which provides beehive equipment directly to eligible beekeepers. Any Virginia resident who is age 18 or older can receive up to three beehive units per year.

Recipients of beehive units will be registered as beekeepers with VDACS, and their beehives will be inspected periodically by agency officials.

Officials are reviewing all applications for the Beehive Distribution Program in the order in which they are received. If all units are distributed before the fiscal year ends on June 30, 2019, the VDACS will issue a statement announcing that the program has ceased and that applications are no longer being accepted.

So far, studies have shown that the program is paying off.

“The study showed that the program is working and people are utilizing the grant program as one important piece in the puzzle of replenishing our bee population,” noted Martha Moore, vice president of governmental relations for the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.

State Apiarist Keith Tignor explained that Virginia lost 59.5 percent of its hives last winter, and that the program will help counteract those losses by helping beekeepers establish new hives.

Bees may seem annoying, but they are actually incredibly important to our ecosystem. We’re so glad to see that Virginia is taking action to help increase the bee population! SHARE this story so your friends and family can see this as well!