SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 24
(By Senators Edgell, Bailey, Dempsey, Love, Facemyer, Guills,
Weeks and White)
Recognizing and supporting the continued growth and promotion of
the apiary industry in the State of West Virginia.
Whereas, In 1987, the West Virginia bee industry was virtually
destroyed by disease. Through the hard work of both the Department
of Agriculture and dedicated beekeepers throughout the state, the
number of bee colonies has increased from 2,000 colonies to around
16,000 colonies since 1995; and
Whereas, With the increase in bee colonies, the number of
beekeepers increased from 200 to 1,200--an overall growth of 800
percent in nine years; and
Whereas, During 2004, bee colonies produced over 1.15 million
pounds of honey at a resale value of $2,638,000; and
Whereas, The State Honey Cooperative was formed in 2001 to aid
local beekeepers in the production, sale and extraction of honey.
This facility has given beekeepers a place to buy supplies at a
reasonable cost, thus saving beekeepers an estimated $30,000 in
out-of-state shipping and handling charges; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby recognizes and supports the
continued growth and promotion of the apiary industry in the State of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner
of the Department of Agriculture.