Department of Agriculture
Ken Givens, Commissioner

The honey bee is the official state agricultural insect.  According to the State Apiary Act of 1995, “…honey bees perform a pollination function that is essential to the propagation of many species [that are] of great importance to all Tennesseans.”  Therefore, the mission of the Apiary program is to protect this valuable resource.  We maintain beekeeper registration files, work through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program to secure grant monies, perform collaborative research and educational seminars with the University ofTennessee.

Our membership in the Apiary Inspectors of America professional association keeps us up to date on the latest information concerning honey bee pest, diseases and treatments, thus allowing us assist the beekeeping industry in keeping their bees healthy and productive. Healthy productive colonies of bees not only produce more honey, they also provide better pollination for our nations food supply. Proper pollination yields larger, more uniform shaped, marketable fruits and vegetables.

The Department provides a list of local honey producers on their website for consumers and retail outlets looking for sources of local honey. Contact TDA Marketing Division for more information.

To receive apiary applications or a pollination list by mail, or for more in-depth information, call Michael Studer, State Apiarist, at (615) 837-5342.