Honey bees have always played a
vital role in agriculture and as such the department
has overseen their inspection since House Bill 28 was
approved on April 21, 1904. This 103 year history
has evolved as agriculture has evolved and changed across
the state. Honey bees
not only provide honey but are a vital source of pollination
for many of the fruit and vegetable crops grown in Ohio
such as apples, melons, cucumbers, and pumpkins. They
are also used to pollinate seed crops such as sunflower
and canola.
The
Apiary Program coordinates the state and county inspection
services that help to ensure a healthy beekeeping industry. There
were 3,458 beekeepers registered in 2008 in accordance with
Ohio Revised Code section 909.02 which represents 5,241
apiaries, or an estimated 17,362 colonies.
The Apiary
Program worked with various national groups and the USDA
in providing samples for the study of Colony Collapse Disorder
which caused massive colony deaths in various parts of
the nation, including Ohio.
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