It is not about saving the bees.

I offer this with hope that some changes are made. Some of that which is listed below I am certain will get under the skin of some, good. Think of the future generations of VA beekeepers and those right now coming up behind you to take up this art/craft.

Some changes needed in the program are listed below.

1. Equipment through the BDP should be reserved first for educational purposes such as 4H, FFA, and public schools. This would allow an early introduction for children and teenagers who do not have the opportunity at home. Providing equipment to a high school Agriculture class will increase interest, and have those same students learn the basics of beekeeping just as they do with other agricultural topics. Start beekeeping clubs in the high schools FFA, and in the end show and sell the honey and other hive products. This may lead to other mentors offering additional beekeeping classes after hours for these same students. Of course regulations would have to be updated to allow such, as the BDP requires a registered beekeeper. Any remaining equipment not provided to such as stated above should go to newbies and novices.

2. A beekeeper shall not be required to show membership, proof of attendance, or a certificate of "beekeeping 101." For those beekeepers wanting all new seekers of this art to attend classes or get a certificate of some kind, you are simply restricting entrance to the craft. Is it because you did, so now everyone else should? Attending a class or eventually becoming a Master Beekeeper does not make you a good beekeeper. Anyone can read source material or become educated in a subject from a multitude of online outlets and apply it hands on. A mentor simply provides guidance and has experience, but is not required for this craft. Are cattle ranchers and farmers required to attend a class to show they can raise livestock for production? Why force this on those seeking entrance? The idea should be to ease entrance and reduce start-up costs for beekeeping, not hinder it. 

3. Commercial outfits shall not be eligible to receive hives. All remaining equipment not provided for educational purposes should be reserved for those seeking to enter into beekeeping, startup costs are high. For those keepers already in the business, if they are good shepherds, should not need the Commonwealth to provide hive boxes. Experienced beekeepers should already know how to repair and build hives, diagnose common problems, manage losses, and use least intrusive management practices. Look outside the box.

4. Beekeepers with more than (pick a number, for the sake of argument ~25, and see #3 above) hives shall not be eligible to receive equipment. This looks and reads like a program some beekeepers are using to simply get "free" equipment. Learn to do splits, be on swarm call lists, put up C-list ads, set out traps, learn basic carpentry skills, and produce a better product. A basic TBH can be built out of one good plank of wood. Langstroths may require just a bit more effort. Much of the honey I have seen, purchased, and taste tested in VA is not that good, but to each their own. It is the keepers with a small number of hives that seem to offer a better quality product anyhow.

5. Hives shall not leave the bounds of the Commonwealth. Moving bees between crops across the region/country has led us to where we are today in beekeeping, among many other issues.  

6. Selection Process: For the duration of the BDP beekeepers shall not receive equipment more than once. VDACs should have a record of all who have benefitted from the past programs.

7. All equipment used in the program should come from Virginia craftsmen. VDACs should promote in-state apiaries offering hygienic traits. VDACs could also provide an annually updated list of reputable VSH queen breeders in our region. 

8. Provide an opportunity to also purchase bees from a reputable VA apiary/beekeeper (see #3,5, & 7 above, and preferably one that does not import any of their stock from lower states) that would be available to one upon equipment pickup. This helps our VA beekeepers.

9. Distribution shall not exceed two hives per beekeeper/apiary.