The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will accept applications from Tuesday, July 20 through Aug. 4 for its 2021 Beehive Distribution Program.

The program provides free equipment for assembling new beehives to Virginia residents. Qualified applicants are selected at random from all eligible applications received during the application period, a release said.

“In Virginia, honeybees are essential pollinators for about one-third of the state’s fruit and vegetable crops,” said Keith Tignor, State Apiarist. “The Beehive Distribution Program will help counteract dramatic honeybee losses in the state by assisting beekeepers in establishing new hives.”

Individuals who are Virginia residents and 18 years of age or older at the time an application is submitted are eligible to receive beehive units. Multiple individuals with the same mailing and/or physical address (household) may apply to the program; however, distribution of beehive units will be limited to no ...