Apiary Inspection
The Agency's new apiary inspector is Brooke Decker. You can contact her at Brooke.Decker@vermont.gov or 802-272-6688.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets' Apiary Inspection Program works to ensure that Vermont beekeepers comply with the Vermont Apiary Law.
The duties of the apiary inspector emphasize technical assistance and education as well as the regulatory component. Specific activities performed by this inspector include:
- Provide technical assistance to beekeepers to maintain healthy, productive hives.
- Inspect bee hives for the presence of diseases and pests.
- Coordinate sellers and buyers of honey, bees wax, bees and other hive products.
- Assist VT beekeepers in getting State and Federal approval of new mite control materials.
- Provide judging for honey and honey products at Fairs and Field Days.
- Assist fruit and vegetable growers with securing honey bees to pollinate crops.
- Work with apiculture officials in other states and at the Federal level on honey bee related issues.
- Issue Health Certificates to beekeepers moving bees out of state, if needed.
- Present talks to beekeepers, schools, and civic groups about honey bees and pollination.
Apiary Registration
As required by Vermont Statute, Title 6, Chapter 172, it is the duty of every person having one or more colonies of bees in their possession or under their control to report the location of such colonies. It is essential that apiary inspectors know the locations of all colonies of bees in Vermont in order to effectively control honey bee diseases and pests.
