HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.9
(By Delegates Beach, Stemple, Proudfoot, Swartzmiller,
Williams, Anderson and Schoen)
Recognizing and supporting the growth and continued promotion of
the apiary industry in the State of West Virginia.
Whereas, Beginning in 1987 the West Virginia bee industry was
virtually destroyed by disease; and
Whereas, Since 1995, the number of bee colonies have increased
from two thousand colonies to around sixteen thousand colonies with
the hard work of both the Department of Agriculture and dedicated
beekeepers throughout the State; and
Whereas, With the increase in colonies, bee keepers have also
increased from two hundred to twelve hundred - an overall growth of
eight hundred percent in nine years; and
Whereas, With twelve hundred registered bee keepers, colonies
have produced 1,152,000 pounds of honey at a resale value of
$2,638,000.00 during 2004 - mostly all locally produced; and
Whereas, The state honey cooperative was formed in 2001 to aid
local bee keepers in the production, sales and extraction of honey;
and
Whereas, This facility has given beekeepers a place to buy
supplies at a reasonable cost, saving beekeepers an estimated
$30,000 in out-of-state shipping and handling charges; and
Whereas, The honey extraction facility has provided a sanitary
place for small beekeepers to have their honey extracted - having
extracted in excess of 8.5 tons of honey since its establishment;
and
Whereas, The facility has sold $118,500 worth of equipment,
providing employment and collecting $7,100 in sales tax since its
establishment; and
Whereas, Southern West Virginia is currently in need of an
additional apiarist for inspections and continuing education of
southern West Virginia bee keepers; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the West Virginia Legislature recognizes and supports the
continued growth and promotion of the apiary industry in the State
of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, with the positive and continued success of
the honey bee industry in the State of West Virginia, the growth
and education of local bee keepers, the West Virginia Legislature
supports additional ventures by the DOA to facilitate continued
growth and expansion of the industry in the southern region; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this Resolution to the appropriate representatives of the
agricultural community.
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