[scorpionmain]

The Virginia General Assembly created the Beehive Grant Fund to promote the establishment of new beehives.

Under the program, people can apply for a grant from the fund to cover the cost of purchasing a new hive or materials to construct a new hive.

The grant will pay for the actual expenses incurred up to $200 per hive, not exceeding $2,400 per person, per year.

More details here: http://wtkr.com/2013/01/10/virginia-will-pay-you-to-take-up-beekeeping/

 

[cg3]

I thought that had come and gone.

 

[scorpionmain]

Yeah, sorry.
Hadn't seen this before.
Looks like the applications had to be submitted between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2014.
Hopefully they will do it again & other states follow suit.

 

[Rader Sidetrack]

Tennessee has a hive grant program that partners the State Ag folk, the statewide beekeeping organization and local beekeeping clubs, such as our local Davy Crockett Beekeepers Association. This has run for several springs in a row and I expect it will continue next spring.

This page summarizes how it works ...
https://blountbees.wordpress.com/tag/hive-grant-program/
There are references on that page to 2012, but the rules haven't changed.

 

[Acebird]

That is not a grant that is a sucker punch.

 

[AChabot]

The applications for the grants were due last year, 2013. I applied but I received an email stating that since my invoices did not have foundation on them, my application was incomplete. As I recall, in the end, the state welched on the money and none of the grants were paid. Maybe some were finally, never heard anymore about it.

 

[ForrestB]

the state welched on the money and none of the grants were paid

Neat trick. Get people to set up hives by promising money, then don't pay them. I guess with they way the government treating sick vets the way they do, this should be no surprise. America baby.

 

[johno]

Just how much of other peoples money am I entitled to, to keep bees a hobby or sideline of my choice for personal enjoyment, besides beware of strings attached.
Johno

 

[cg3]

Apparently none, now.

 

[papabear]

The Virginia General Assembly created the Beehive Grant Fund to promote the establishment of new beehives.

Under the program, people can apply for a grant from the fund to cover the cost of purchasing a new hive or materials to construct a new hive.

The grant will pay for the actual expenses incurred up to $200 per hive, not exceeding $2,400 per person, per year.

More details here: http://wtkr.com/2013/01/10/virginia-will-pay-you-to-take-up-beekeeping/

I had no problem getting 600.00 dollars last year. you did have to cross your t and dot your i though.

 

[Ryan Williamson]

Yes they did give out a number of grants and I know a lot of folks who got them. But you had to follow the rules!

So I thought the grant was past and the deadline was in april.
"Fiscal Year 2014 – Qualified expenses must be incurred between July 1, 2013 and April
30, 2014. Applications must be submitted between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2014. "
http://www.townhall.virginia.gov/L/...croot/GuidanceDocs/301/GDoc_VDACS_5098_v2.pdf

But on looking into it they appear to have eliminated the deadline from the regulations on the VDACS website so why not try for it.


http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant...croot/GuidanceDocs/301/GDoc_VDACS_5098_v2.pdf

6/30 is the deadline best I can tell as it is the end of the fiscal year.

http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant&pest/hivegrant.shtml

Good luck!

Ryan

 

[Hokie Bee Daddy]

I received some of this grant money and was contacted by the apiary inspector. I have an appointment to meet with her tomorrow. Sounds like they're just making sure I put the hives into use. Has anyone else been inspected? How did it go and were there any surprises?

Thanks.

 

[Ryan Williamson]

That is great! I am so glad to hear that they are at least spot checking up on some applications. I also received some grant money and would be happy to show them around as I hate hearing roumars of people abusing grants that support good goals. Now that I think of it I have had inspectors here and they might have noticed that my hive count increase far out numbered the tiny grant I applied for and thus did not even question me.

 

[biggraham610]

I guess its good that at least they are checking up on where the money goes, unlike so many other government programs. That's a discussion for another day. I am just not sure that I want the government in my business anywhere I don't have to incur the intrusion. In my opinion, there is always another angle than help when the Government gets involved. Call me a cynic, but that's my view and will doubtfully ever change. G

 

[sqkcrk]

Beekeeping isn't popular enough that people have to have government support? Or was thje idea to get folks who could not afford to keep bees to keep bees?

 

[lazy shooter]

Biggraham610 pretty much sums up my view of "the" government. I don't want the government in my business, period. When I bought my ranch some 12 years back the former owned had received some type of drought relief from the USDA. In my opinion, it died with my purchase of the land, as I did not agree to any of the former contracts. I received a large and quite intrusive questionnaire, which I sent back to the USDA without filling in one single blank. Months later I received the same form with a cover letter that was threading me with prison time if the form was not completed. I sent it back with no blanks filled out. I wrote on their cover letter that if my government, the one I had supported with my money and my combat military service, would send me to jail for not divulging private information then, so be it. I haven't heard from them again. That was 10 years back. To the benefactors of this grant, that 200 dollar bee grant may the hardest money you ever earn.

As another posted said, how much of my money do you want in order for you to keep bees. Why not just ask your neighbors and friends to take up a collection.

 

[Rader Sidetrack]

Before this thread deteriorates any further into one of THOSE threads, note that there are some hive grant programs that minimize government involvement and push compliance to a local, volunteer level. See the link in my post #4 for the details of the TN program.

The TN hive grant is 1/3 funded by the state beekeeping association, and 1/3 by the local club. Recipients are required to become members (and pay dues) of both organizations, and the local club assigns a mentor who also is expected to report back the progress of the recipient. Further, a portion of the honey produced in the first 2 years is paid to the club. The local club has 'skin in the game'.

 

[biggraham610]

Before this thread deteriorates any further into one of THOSE threads, note that there are some hive grant programs that minimize government involvement and push compliance to a local, volunteer level. See the link in my post #4 for the details of the TN program.

The TN hive grant is 1/3 funded by the state beekeeping association, and 1/3 by the local club. Recipients are required to become members (and pay dues) of both organizations, and the local club assigns a mentor who also is expected to report back the progress of the recipient. Further, a portion of the honey produced in the first 2 years is paid to the club. The local club has 'skin in the game'.

1/2 and 1/2 would be optimal. 2/3rds is far better than none. Neighbors helping neighbors. G

 

[lazy shooter]

If the prospective beekeeper is paying a third and a third to two different associations, both of which want the grantee to join their clubs, how is this any help. The benefactor pays and joins two organizations. I like the fact that in this case the beekeeper does have some skin in the game, but It is still getting into beekeeping on the installment plan. Are bees that expensive, that one has to mortgage their time and privacy to keep bees?

 

[Rader Sidetrack]

Well, read the link in post #4.

The associations are paying 1/3 each, not the grantee. The grantee does pay normal dues to those associations.

Also, this program only involves equipment - no bees are included. The recipient still has to pony up cash for bees.