Honey Bee Health Initiative
ON, Canada
Funding for beekeepers in Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateSeptember 15, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateApril 12, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Access funding of up to $25,000 to cover up to 50% of eligible costs to maintain healthy honey bee colonies as well as grow your number of colonies.
grant_single_labels|projects
This program is aimed at supporting the beekeeping industry in Ontario and is targeted towards beekeepers operating in this specific region. Applications are expected from those whose operations and projects will directly benefit the beekeeping sector in Ontario.
- Beekeepers operating within the province of Ontario.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$22,500
Conduct pest and disease sampling and analysis for honey bee colonies
$25,000
Purchase new honey bee stock to enhance genetic diversity
$20,000
Adopt best management practices to prevent pests
$25,000
Install biosecurity measures to reduce honey bee pests and diseases
$24,000
Modify existing facilities to improve hive health
$23,500
Upgrade hive equipment to improve honey bee health
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Honey Bee Health Initiative grant requires specific documentation and certifications related to beekeeping in Ontario.
- The applicant must have a valid certificate of registration issued under the Bees Act (in the name of the applicant) for the current beekeeping season.
- The applicant must provide proof of completing a pest management course related to honeybees specific to Ontario within the last two years, or proof of completing a diploma or degree in beekeeping within the last five years from a recognized institution.
- The application must include quotes or proposals for all proposed activities to support costs.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The grant is available to both registered commercial and hobbyist beekeepers in Ontario who are aiming to maintain healthy honey bee colonies and improve the sustainability of the beekeeping industry. Commercial beekeepers can receive up to $25,000, while hobbyist beekeepers can receive up to $4,500 in cost-share funding.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for the grant:
- Companies that are not registered beekeepers in Ontario
- Companies that do not meet the criteria outlined in the Honey Bee Health Initiative Program Guide
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Honey Bee Health Initiative is designed to assist beekeepers in Ontario by supporting projects that enhance operational efficiency and ensure colony sustainability. These activities target reduced biosecurity risks, enhanced hive health management, and the introduction of resilient bee stock.
- Operational improvements to reduce biosecurity risks and overwintering losses.
- Management or prevention of honey bee pests and diseases spread.
- Purchase or modification of equipment or facilities for improved hive health management.
- Adoption of best management practices to control pests and diseases.
- Sampling and analysis for honey bee pests and diseases.
- Purchase of new honey bee stock or queens with genetic diversity.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant includes coverage for various expenses aimed at maintaining honey bee health and managing pests and diseases.
- Operational improvements that reduce biosecurity risks and overwinter loss.
- Purchase of or modifications to equipment or facilities to improve hive health management practices.
- Adoption or implementation of best management practices to prevent pest and disease spread.
- Sampling and analysis for pests and diseases.
- Purchase of new honey bee stock or queens to ensure genetic diversity and healthy bee populations.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the Honey Bee Health Initiative grant are based on specific activities and costs related to beekeeping operations.
- Valid certificate of registration under the Bees Act for the current beekeeping season
- Completion of a pest management course or beekeeping degree/diploma
- Quotes/proposals for proposed activities and costs
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Honey Bee Health Initiative grant:
- Step 1: Read Program Guide
- Carefully read the Honey Bee Health Initiative Program Guide.
- Review information on eligible activities, costs, and application documentation requirements.
- Step 2: Create OSCIA Portal Account
- Create an account on the OSCIA Portal to access the application process.
- Complete the Enrolment Form after creating your account.
- Step 3: Prepare Application
- Fill the Application Form with required details.
- Gather necessary documentation, including valid certificate of registration as per the Bees Act for the current season.
- Provide proof of having completed a relevant pest management course or a diploma/degree in beekeeping within the specified time frame.
- Obtain quotes or proposals for all proposed activities to support your cost calculations.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Submit your complete application electronically through the OSCIA Portal.
- Ensure all required documents are included with your submission.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The intake period for the grant applications opens on September 15, 2023, at 9am ET and closes on April 12, 2024, at 5pm. It will reopen on June 3, 2024, at 9am if funding permits.
- The funding is part of a larger $3.5-billion investment under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which includes a combination of federal, provincial, and territorial funds.
- Cost-share funding is available up to a maximum of $25,000 per registered commercial beekeeper and $4,500 per registered hobbyist beekeeper, covering 50% of eligible costs.
- The total program budget for this intake is subject to availability, and the intake will close when the available funding is fully allocated.
- Beekeepers must join the OSCIA Programs mailing list to receive updates on the program and funding opportunities.
- Applications require a detailed list of quotes or proposals for all proposed activities to justify the costs, along with a valid Bees Act registration certificate.
grant_single_labels|contact
s-cap@ontariosoilcrop.org
519-826-4214
Apply to this program
Boost Your Beekeeping Operations with the Honey Bee Health Initiative
The Honey Bee Health Initiative offers vital funding support to Ontario beekeepers, aimed at fostering resilient honey bee colonies through operational enhancements. It provides up to 50% cost-share funding for eligible activities that protect and promote the health of honeybee populations.
Detailed Insights into the Honey Bee Health Initiative
The Honey Bee Health Initiative is an essential part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aimed explicitly at reinforcing the beekeeping industry in Ontario. By focusing on honey bee health, the program ensures that beekeepers are equipped with the necessary resources to maintain and expand their colonies effectively. This initiative supports beekeepers in enhancing their operational capabilities through various means such as improving biosecurity practices, reducing overwintering losses, and controlling the spread of pests and diseases within their apiaries.
Under this program, beekeepers can access cost-sharing options to cover expenses related to purchasing or upgrading equipment and facilities, implementing best management practices, and acquiring new honey bee stock or queens to enhance genetic diversity. This approach not only helps in managing current challenges but also aids in preparing the agricultural landscape for future threats by strengthening colony resilience.
Given the increasing concerns over honey bee population declines due to climate change, pests, diseases, and habitat loss, this initiative plays a crucial role in supporting sustainable agriculture. Healthy bee populations are integral to crop pollination services and, by extension, the broader agricultural productivity. Therefore, ensuring their health directly correlates with enhancing food security and agricultural output.
In addition to financial aid, beekeepers who participate in this initiative can capitalize on further benefits such as educational resources and technical assistance that help implement new pest management strategies. The program encourages continuous improvement and innovation within the beekeeping sector, fostering an environment where best practices are shared and adopted widely.
Beekeepers interested in the Honey Bee Health Initiative are advised to read the comprehensive Program Guide available through the OSCIA Portal, which outlines all necessary steps for application and the range of eligible activities. Applications are submitted electronically, streamlining the process and ensuring that resources are directed swiftly and efficiently to those in need.
The Honey Bee Health Initiative exemplifies the collaborative effort between federal and provincial governments dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of Canada's agricultural sector. By investing in initiatives such as this, the Canadian agricultural framework is poised to adapt and thrive amidst evolving challenges, ensuring a stable future for agriculture stakeholders and the ecosystems they support.
