Our Mission

The Virginia State Beekeepers Association is dedicated to promoting and preserving the art and science of beekeeping in the state of Virginia.

Our mission is to:

• Provide effective solutions to the common apiculture problems faced by the members of the Association.
• Promote the education and adoption of sustainable and productive beekeeping methods throughout the state.
• Advance both the scientific and practical aspects of apiculture.
• Cultivate positive relationships with individuals, businesses, and organizations that share a mutual interest in apiculture.
• Organize events and activities that foster positive relations between Virginia beekeepers and the general public.
• Encourage the utilization of hive products.

Twice a year VSBA conducts its biannual meetings consisting of lectures, workshops, vendor displays, Master Beekeeper examinations, and business meetings. VSBA sponsors awards and grants to honey bee researchers and graduate students; and offers a scholarship program for undergraduate students.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization from our board members leading the charge to serve our membership to our conference committee and host clubs planning the biannual meetings and committees dedicated to improving how we can best serve our members throughout Virginia. Our Regional Representatives serve the regions of Virginia as the voice from our many local organizations to the state leadership.

We encourage new, experienced, and aspiring beekeepers to join their local organizations not only for educational opportunities but to be a part of growing our community. Learn More

Catch the latest Buzz with the VSBA Newsletter! 

VSBA publishes its newsletter, The Commonwealth Buzz four times a year with a wealth of articles from across the state and beyond.  Articles are submitted by executive leadership, our state apiarist and Virginia Agricultural Extension agents.

The VSBA newsletter serves as one of the main sources of communication to its members. If you have exciting news or events happening in your area of Virginia we encourage our members to contact the newsletter editor to submit articles or events for inclusion in the quarterly newsletter. Learn More

Virginia Master Beekeeper Program

The Virginia Master beekeeper program was developed because of the continuing growth of an interest in beekeeping over the last decade. There is a need for competent beekeepers to provide education and assistance to beginning beekeepers and serve in other capacities in our community as experts in beekeeping. The Master Beekeeper program was developed to certify qualified beekeepers to fill this need.

Anyone with an interest in honeybees is invited to participate in this program. All participants must be a member of Virginia State Beekeepers Association to enroll and continue membership to be identified as a VSBA Master Beekeeper. All of the educational offerings to support the program as well as all of the testing are conducted within Virginia. Apprentice, Journeyman and Master Beekeeper written exams as well as the Master lab testing and face to face interviews are only held during the membership conferences. Exam and Testing times will be announced prior to each membership conference. Learn More

VDACS Announces 2023 Pesticide Collection Program Dates and Collection Sites

 

Farmers, pesticide dealers, pest control firms, certified applicators, homeowners and golf course operators are encouraged to participate in the 2023 Virginia Pesticide Collection Program. The program collects unwanted, outdated or banned pesticides, at no cost to eligible participants, and disposes of them in a safe manner.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Pesticide Services, with participation from Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, oversee the program, which has collected and destroyed more than 1.5 million pounds of outdated and unwanted pesticides since its inception. The program is funded through pesticide product registration fees collected by VDACS.

The following is a list of the 2023 collection sites and schedule. All locations are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

            Sept. 26 - Lynchburg Livestock Market, 243 Livestock Rd., Rustburg, Va.

            Sept. 27 - Southern States-Farmers Cooperative, 182 Smi Way, Farmville, Va.

            Sept. 28 - Meherrin Ag & Chemical, 1409 Vincent Store Rd., Charlotte Court House, Va.

            Oct. 3 - Nutrien Ag (Fertilizer Warehouse), 204 South Lunenburg Ave., South Hill, Va.

            Oct. 4 - Halifax County Agriculture Marketing Center, 1001 Farmway Ln., Scottsburg, Va.

            Oct. 5 - Piedmont Farmers Cooperative (Formerly known as Southern States Chatham

            Co-op), 485 Tightsqueeze Industrial Rd., Chatham, Va.

            Oct. 11 - National Guard Armory, 315 Commonwealth Blvd. W., Martinsville, Va.

 

In administering the Pesticide Collection Program, VDACS divides Virginia into five regions. Each year, the department conducts a collection in a different region. Once all five regions have been served, the program starts another cycle. Click here for the list of future collection localities.

Participants must transport their unwanted pesticides to the collection sites. If participants cannot safely containerize the unwanted pesticides for transport, VDACS may arrange assistance on a case-by-case basis. Only pesticides will be accepted. Pesticide contaminated material (for example, pesticide contaminated fertilizer) will not be accepted as part of the collection program. In addition, the program does NOT accept motor oil, paint, fuel, fertilizer or other chemicals.

Participants need to complete a pesticide collection registration form prior to the scheduled collection date and return the completed form to ops.enf@vdacs.virginia.gov or mail to Office of Pesticide Services, VDACS, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond Virginia 23218. The form is available at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/disposalregistration.pdf or by contacting the program at (804) 371-6560.

Participants should direct questions to their local Virginia Cooperative Extension agent or to the VDACS Office of Pesticide Services at ops.enf@vdacs.virginia.gov.

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