By Ashley McLeod
Capital News Service
RICHMOND, Va. – Beekeepers across Virginia soon will be able to get government money for creating new beehives – a move legislators hope will resurrect the state’s dying bee population.
During this year’s regular session, the General Assembly passed legislation to establish a $175,000 fund and award beekeepers as much as $200 for every new beehive, up to $2,400. Gov. Bob McDonnell recently signed the two bills, SB 354 and HB 300, into law.
Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, sponsored the Senate bill. He hopes the money will encourage beekeepers to create more beehives.
“We’ve seen declining bee populations throughout Virginia, and they are the foundation of agriculture,” Deeds said. “If they’re not pollinating flowers and plants, crop production begins to lag.”
State apiarist Keith Tignor is responsible for educating and training beekeepers in Virginia. Tignor said his office has received numerous phone calls from Virginia beekeepers interested in the grant program.
“We estimate that there are between 20,000 and 30,000 beehives in Virginia, around 2,000 to 3,000 beekeepers, and most maintain an average of between 10 and 12 hives,” Tignor said. “Beekeeping is a very important part of Virginia, in many different aspects.”
Delegate Ed Scott, R-Culpeper, agreed. He proposed the House bill creating the grant program.
“There are a wide range of benefits to having a healthy bee population – not just for honey production,” Scott said.
“When bees pollinate other crops, they are stimulating agricultural production in a wide range of areas, anywhere from apple and peach orchards, to grapes and alfalfa hay crops. If we didn’t have beekeeping, we wouldn’t have other crops being as successful as they are.”
Deeds and Scott introduced their bills after judging a student competition conducted last summer at the Sorensen Institute’s College Leaders Program at the University of Virginia. The lawmakers were inspired by a group of college students who had drafted mock legislation aimed at addressing the state’s declining bee population.
Similar bills failed in previous years. The legislation, which will go into effect July 1, was initially introduced as a tax credit but was changed to a grant program by a legislative committee.
Beekeepers must apply for the grants, which will be administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Recent Stories
Cassidy Turpen, a student at C.D. Hylton High School, has received the Youth Leadership Award from the Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO) program.
The Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) is inviting families from across the region to gear up for the new school year at its 5th Annual Back-to-School Community Event, set for Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Gar-Field Senior High School in Woodbridge.
A 39-year-old man was found dead inside a tent late Friday night near the 8400 block of Sudley Road, near Manassas.
A 36-year-old man from Front Royal is still hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following a motorcycle crash on Garrisonville Road.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Van Metre 5K Run
Participate in the 33rd Annual Van Metre 5K Run—a race that goes further than 3.1 miles, where every stride you take supports Children’s National Hospital. The Van Metre 5K Run donates 100% of proceeds to Children’s National Hospital and has
