More Support for Nova Scotia Beekeepers

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.