RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Beehive Distribution Program. The application window runs from Aug. 26 through Sept. 10, 2025.
The program provides free equipment for assembling new beehives to Virginia residents aged 18 and older, with recipients selected at random from qualifying applications. The goal is to increase the number of actively managed honey bee colonies across the state.
Businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies are not eligible. Households may receive up to three beehive units per fiscal year, July 1 through June 30. Recipients must assemble the equipment and place a colony of honey bees in the hive within one year. VDACS does not provide bees or management equipment such as protective gear or honey processing tools.
“The Beehive Distribution Program provides beehives for increasing our pollinator population,” said State Apiarist Keith Tignor. “Those pollinators go out to our farms, our forests, our meadows, and our wetlands, to pollinate plants and help them to reproduce, to increase the abundance of agricultural crops and to enhance the beauty, diversity, and the quality of our environment.”
Each year, VDACS distributes about 1,000 beehives to more than 400 individuals statewide. In 2024, the program drew over 5,300 applications. Recipients can access support and technical guidance through VDACS, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and local beekeeping groups.
Applications and program details are available at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beehive-distribution-program.shtml. For more information, contact the VDACS Office of Plant Industry Services at 804-786-8938 or [email protected].
Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.
