Want a beehive? Apply by Sept. 6 to get a chance for the Va. Beehive Lottery

Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is accepting applications for the 2024 Beehive Distribution Program that provides free equipment for assembling new beehives to Virginia residents.

Recipients of the equipment are selected at random from qualifying applications received during the application period. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 6, 2024.

Only Virginia residents 18 years or older at the time of application, qualify for the random drawing. Entities such as businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies are not 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 more than three beehive units per household in the same fiscal year, July 1 to June 30.

Recipients of beehive units must assemble the equipment and occupy it with a colony of honey bees within one year of receiving the equipment. VDACS does not provide honey bees or equipment for managing the hives, such as personal safety equipment or honey processing equipment.

To learn more about the Beehive Distribution Program or to submit an application before Sept. 6, 2024, go to http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beehive-distribution-program.shtml Indiv.iduals interested in applying to receive beehive units through the program should review the complete application instructions within the Guidelines & Requirements.

For more information, contact the VDACS Office of Plant Industry Services at (804) 786-3515 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).