SW VA AG Association Attn: Charlie Atkins 121 Bagley Circle Suite 434 Marion, VA 24354

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1 Please note that established beekeepers, as well as new beekeepers, must reside in a tobaccodependent county within the Southwest Region to be eligible for participation. Southwest Virginia Tobacco Region: Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe Beginning beekeepers may make application beginning February 15, 2010 and established beekeepers may make application beginning March 15, 2010; one application per family. Appropriate forms may be obtained from or from county Agricultural Extension Offices. Extension Agents must review for compliance all application forms forwarded from their offices. All application forms shall be mailed to: SW VA AG Association Attn: Charlie Atkins 121 Bagley Circle Suite 434 Marion, VA ASSISTANCE FOR ESTABLISHED/BEGINNING BEEKEEPPERS In an effort to offset recent/recurring losses to area beekeepers, a portion of grant funding will be utilized as cost-share incentives for established beekeepers. Established beekeepers (those with active hives at present) within tobacco-dependent counties are eligible for cost-share assistance that may be utilized toward the purchase of replacement bees and/or colony management costs. Although funding is limited, efforts have been made to equitably distribute available monies based on the USDA 2007 Census Colony of bees and honey collected by county. To be eligible for participation, established beekeepers must reside within a tobacco-dependent county and must currently have active hives. Eligible established beekeepers may receive cost-share funding on a 50:50 basis, beginning beekeepers on a 75:25 basis (beginners 25%), not to exceed the maximum amount of $ per beekeeper. As part of the application process, established beekeepers are required to complete the Hive Inventory questionnaire. This form must complete and submitted with the initial application; without a completed questionnaire, any application will be deemed incomplete and therefore ineligible for cost-share funding. Cost-share funding will be distributed on a reimbursement basis: after approval of the initial application for funding, beekeepers secure necessary items, and present a paid receipt dated after application approval. No exceptions to this rule will be granted. Eligible expenditures for established and beginning beekeepers include: Woodenware Frames/foundation Medications (fumagilin, terramycin, etc.) Food supplements (pollen patties, essential oils, etc) Queens Packages/nucs Protective clothing Bee keeping equipment Sucrose/HFCS

2 APPLICATION FOR BEGINNING AND ESTABLISHED BEEKEEPERS Date of application: Recv d: Name: Address: City:, VA Zip: Phone: Address: Number of hives currently active: Primary reason for hive losses from year to year: List each item to be purchased utilizing cost-share funding (reference Eligible Expenditures ). Each item should be reasonably specific and should include an estimated cost. Pkgs/Nucs of replacement bees: (Cost of bees shall not exceed $ each; shipping and handling included in this cost) Other: Total anticipated purchase amount: Signature of applicant: Approval: Date: Name/Title Receipts received on: Payment: $ Date issued:

3 APPLICANT QUESTIONNAIRE Established Beekeepers Name: Date: How long have you have been a beekeeper? Are you an active member in an area/local beekeeping association? If so, which one? How many hives do you currently own and manage? Did you suffer any hive losses in the past two years? If so, please provide the number of hives lost and what you feel precipitated/caused the losses (e.g., stress, starvation, colony collapse disorder, predator damage, etc.) Do you provide pollination services to area agricultural producers? If so, what is your routine rate per hive? $

4 BEGINNER BEEKEEPER AGREEMENT When making application for reimbursement, the undersigned agrees to: Participate in a beekeeping class or workshop and a mentored relationship with an assigned experienced beekeeper to obtain instruction on honey bee hive management and maintenance. Obtain additional basic hive and safety equipment as required over time to properly manage the hive. Maintain the honey bee hive equipment and colonies for a minimum of two calendar years from the date honeybees are installed in the equipment. Comply with all federal, state, and local regulations regarding the transport and maintenance of honey bees and use or sale of bee related materials or products. Indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Commonwealth of Virginia Tobacco Commission, Extension Agents, DOC members, beekeepers Associations, their collective officers, agents, and employees from any claims, damages and actions of any kind or nature, whether at law or in equity, arising from the equipment and bees provided or the use thereof. No person receiving or using the equipment shall be deemed an agent or employee of the afore mentioned parties. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed an expressed or implied waiver of the sovereign immunity of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Print Name: Signature: Date: Mailing Address: Phone (s): address Assigned Mentor: Phone: Name of Beginning Beekeeper course completed: Course date and location: Course instructor: Hives Received: Bees Received: Date hives received: Date bees received:

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