More Support for Nova Scotia Beekeepers
The Province has increased support for eligible beekeepers this year through the Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health Program. (Communications Nova Scotia / File)
Nova Scotia beekeepers will have access to more financial support this year.
The Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health Program will provide eligible beekeepers up to $50,000, an increase from the maximum $27,000 in 2023.
“Bees are important pollinators for the province’s fruit crops, particularly wild blueberries and apples, which are among our top agricultural exports,” said Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow. “Together with our federal partners, we’re working to make sure Nova Scotia farmers have the support they need to maintain and grow the number of hives and bees in this province – helping farmers to stay sustainable and keep producing healthy, local food.”
Beekeepers expanding to pollinate more commercial crops can receive $200 per additional hive used for pollination, double the amount available last year. The program’s expansion allowance also has funding available for packaged bees, queen bees, queen cells and “nucs” (nucleus colonies), which are frames of bees removed from an established hive to start a bee colony in a new hive.
This is the second year for the Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health Program. In addition to support for the expansion of commercial crop pollination, the program also supports and promotes hive health and the adoption of efficient technologies to help with labour on the farm.
The program is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resilience of Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for agricultural programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
Quotes:
“Beekeepers play a vitally important role in ensuring the health and sustainability of our food supply and agriculture sector here in Canada. With investments through the Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health program, we’re making sure Nova Scotia beekeepers can continue to use best management practices, modernize their technologies, grow their hives and expand their operations to keep the bee industry strong.”
— Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“The Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health Program is a vital part of the maintenance and growth of Nova Scotia’s honeybee sector, which supports our broader agriculture industry. This program helps beekeepers continue to develop sustainable practices.”
— Duncan Wetzel, President, Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association
Quick Facts:
- there are 903 registered beekeepers across the province
- Nova Scotia has 3.4 per cent of Canada’s total bee colonies, according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 data
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada estimates honeybees were directly tied to $3.18 billion in additional harvest value Canada-wide in 2021
- last year, the Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health Program provided more than $218,000 to beekeepers in Nova Scotia
Additional Resources:
Apiculture Sustainable Growth and Health Program Guidelines: https://novascotia.ca/programs/apiculture-sustainable-growth-health/asgh-program-guidelines.pdf
Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/initiatives/sustainable-canadian-agricultural-partnership