Apiary Program
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 long 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. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2021 Ohio produced over 1 million pounds of honey, averaging 64 pounds per colony.
Beginning Beekeepers Video
Check out this collaborative video with GrowNextGen on the responsibilities for beginning beekeepers. Topics include how to establish and maintain a hive, how to find credible information online and the importance of honey bees to the agriculture industry.
Contact Us
Barbara Bloetscher, State Apiarist
Apiary Program
Ohio Department of Agriculture
8995 E Main St Bldg 23
Reynoldsburg OH 43068
Phone: 614-728-6373
Fax: 614-728-6453
Email: apiary@agri.ohio.gov
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