Honey Bee Health Initiative

Overview of the Honey Bee Health Initiative program:

The Honey Bee Health Initiative is a program managed by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) designed to support beekeepers and apiarists in Ontario. The program aims to improve the health of honey bee colonies and enhance the sustainability of beekeeping practices across the province. Key components of the initiative include financial assistance for activities that promote hive health and productivity. Eligible activities under this initiative may cover a range of beekeeping improvements, such as: Hive equipment upgrades to enhance biosecurity and reduce the spread of diseases and pests. Monitoring tools for early detection of threats to hive health, such as varroa mites. Training and education to improve beekeepers' knowledge of best practices in colony management. Research and innovation in techniques to enhance honey bee resilience. This program is particularly valuable for beekeepers looking to address challenges related to colony health, pests, and environmental factors that affect hive productivity. Participants may need to meet specific eligibility criteria and provide supporting documentation to access the funding. The Honey Bee Health Initiative ultimately aims to support Ontario’s apiculture sector, fostering growth and ensuring the long-term health of honey bee populations, which play a critical role in pollination and agriculture.

Benefits of the Honey Bee Health Initiative program:

• Honey Bee health initiative supports projects to increase:
• Operational improvements that reduce biosecurity risks, overwintering loss, and to manage or prevent the introduction and spread of honey bee pests and disease
• Purchase of or modification to equipment or facilities necessary to improve hive health management practices
• Adoption or implementation of best management practices to prevent the introduction and spread of honey bee pests and diseases within a beekeeping operation
• Sampling and analysis for pests and diseases
• Purchase of new honey bee stock or queens to ensure healthy honey bees with genetic diversity and selection are integrated into Ontarios honey bee population

Eligibility criteria of the Honey Bee Health Initiative program:

• To apply, applicants must:
• Register Colonies:
• Have ten (10) or more colonies registered with the Provincial Apiarist for the current beekeeping season.
• Complete Pest Management Course:
  • Have completed a pest management course related to honey bees, specific to Ontario, from a recognized institution within the last two years (e.g., the
  • Ontario Beekeepers Associations Technology Transfer Program).
  • Alternatively, have completed a diploma or degree in beekeeping from a recognized institution within the last five years (e.g., University of Guelph,
  • Niagara College). Eligible courses can be found here.
• Compliance with Laws:
  • Be in compliance with all legal requirements and maintain compliance for the duration of the project.
  • Comply with the Bees Act and Regulation 57 during the current and previous beekeeping season, including but not limited to:
  • Beekeeper and yard registration
  • Reporting pests and disease
  • Obtaining necessary permits
  • Proper location of honey bee colonies
  • Ensuring no exposed honeycomb
  • No referrals for further compliance action.