News & Features

Virginia Farm Bureau News & Features is your place for news and information from around Virginia. From gardening tips and recipes to politics and events, stay up to date with what matters to Virginians.

Beehive distribution program suspended

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Virginians are excited about raising honeybees. Due to an overwhelming response to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Beehive Distribution Program, the program has been suspended. 



State continues to experience honeybee losses

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Every winter the commonwealth’s honeybee population experiences colony losses. Over the past five years, surveys have shown a steady increase in honeybee mortality averaging greater than one-third of the statewide population.



Farm Bureau, other farm groups petition DOT for hauling flexibility

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On Oct. 15 the American Farm Bureau Federation and other organizations representing haulers of livestock, bees and fish submitted a petition to the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting flexibility on hours of service requirements.



Celebratory week, beekeeper funding focuses on honeybee health

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June 18-24 has been set aside as National Pollinator Week, and Gov. Ralph Northam has declared it Virginia Pollinator Week as well.



Agriculture Literacy Week to feature readings of These Bees Count!

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Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom’s annual Agriculture Literacy Week will take place March 5-9, and Virginia AITC has selected These Bees Count!, a children’s book by Alison Formento, as its 2018 Book of the Year.



Virginia AITC picks pollinator book as its 2018 Book of the Year

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Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom’s annual Agriculture Literacy Week will take place March 5-9; and Virginia AITC has selected These Bees Count, a children’s book by Alison Formento, as its 2018 Book of the Year.



National Honey Month concludes, beekeepers create a buzz at State Fair

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September is National Honey Month, but even when the month-long observance ends, attendees at the State Fair of Virginia can continue the celebration.



Virginia has fewer bees but is seeing fewer losses

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The number of Virginia honey bee colonies declined between the winter of 2015 and the winter of 2016, but a warm winter may have helped more bees survive this year.



Va. pollinator plan aligned with national recommendations to revive honeybee population

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The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released its pollinator protection plan just as a task force for the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology published a commentary examining honey bee health stressors. 



Pollinator Week is a good time to brush up on pollinators, honeybee health

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Pollinators are important to farmers and ranchers, gardeners and the food industry. That’s why June 19-25 has been designated National Pollinator Week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior.



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