2021 Virginia Beehive Distribution Program begins on July 20 Published Saturday, Jul. 10, 2021, 12:05 am Join AFP's 100,000+ followers on Facebook Purchase a subscription to AFP Subscribe to AFP podcasts on iTunes and Spotify News, press releases, letters to the editor: augustafreepress2@gmail.com The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will accept applications for the 2021 Beehive Distribution Program from July 20 through Aug. 4. 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. “In Virginia, honeybees are essential pollinators for about one-third of the state’s fruit and vegetable crops,” State Apiarist Keith Tignor said. “The Beehive Distribution Program will help counteract dramatic honeybee losses in the state by assisting beekeepers in establishing new hives.”