INTRODUCTION (application link at the bottom of the page)

The Bee population has decreased in the US Virgin Islands since the passing of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This reduction indelibly threatens the specialty crop industry in the US Virgin Islands – in that less bees equates to less pollination, which equals to less food. Pollination is the movement of pollen from the anthers (male parts of a flower) to the stigmas (female part of a flower). The pollen fertilizes the eggs of a plant, producing the seed that will form the new plant. Therefore, Bees are not only essential, but inherent to agriculture.

OBJECTIVE

The Objective of this program will be to solely to enhance the competitiveness of local fruit and vegetable production in the US Virgin Islands through increase  pollination capacity.

GOAL

The US Virgin Island Department of Agriculture is seeking to institute a series of seminars to teach how to establish a Bee Keeping Colony. Upon successful completion of the seminar, Participants will acquire a complete starter bee keeping kit. The aim here is to increase the number of beekeepers  to enhance the pollinating process of crops in the Virgin Islands.

EXPECTED OUTCOME/RESULTS

Solely enhance the competitiveness of US territory grown specialty crops by using Pollination to improve crop production of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and forage crops.

ELIGIBLILITY CRITERIA

Prospective Participants should have (but not required)following minimum requirements to be eligible to participate in this program:

• Must submit a completed Request for Application by deadline date.
• Property for prospective Bee Colony should be within two miles of a crop producing entity.

APPLICATION DUE DATE :     DECEMBER 28, 2020

All applications are due by 11:59 PM AST via:

• Hand submission – Agriculture Department (both on St. Croix and St. Thomas) or
• Email – grants@doa.vi.gov.

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

All applications will  undergo a competitive Review Process to select the prospective participants for the Beekeeping program. That is, each application will be scored based upon a point and rank system – evaluated by a panel of 3 members, who are not associated with the VI Department of Agriculture. 30 applications (15 for St. Croix and 15 for St. Thomas/St. John) with the highest scores will be selected for the program. Individuals with a Farmer’s License and requisite Harvest Reports (for past two years) will be given priority.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For further information about the Establishment of a Bee Colony Project, please contact Billy Abraham at (340)778-0993 or Email – info.doa@doa.vi.gov.

BENEFITS

Upon completion of the Beekeeping Seminar, the participant will be issued a beginner’s Beekeeping kit and a Certification of Completion.

APPLY HERE!