WHEREAS, honey is made from flower nectar, which is collected by bees, naturally broken down into simple sugars, and stored in honeycombs; and

WHEREAS, a hive of bees may collectively travel as many as 55,000 miles and visit as many as two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make one pound of honey; and

WHEREAS, honey bees were first introduced to North America by the Virginia Company of London, with several beehives departing from England in 1621 and arriving at the settlement in Jamestown in March 1622; and

WHEREAS, honey bees subsequently became an essential part of farm communities, and hives were found outside the homes of many early colonists as honey bees spread to nearby woods and began to thrive in the region; and

WHEREAS, in 2023, Virginia’s commercial beekeepers harvested honey from 5,000 colonies, yielding an average of approximately 39 pounds per colony, with total production valued at more than $1.85 million; and

WHEREAS, through the Beehive Distribution Program in fiscal year 2024-2025, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services distributed 1,001 beehive units to 415 Virginia residents to help counteract significant honeybee losses in the Commonwealth by assisting beekeepers in establishing new hives; and

WHEREAS, honey is a versatile culinary ingredient with many Virginia’s Finest companies adding spices and herbs to create distinctive flavors, crafting meats, candies, and condiments, and incorporating it into sauces and other products; and

WHEREAS, honey contains antioxidants, minerals, and enzymes, and it is widely used medicinally to heal wounds, aid digestion, soothe coughs, and treat oily or acne-prone skin; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, the Virginia General Assembly designated the European honeybee as the official state pollinator; and

WHEREAS, much of Virginia’s honey is harvested during September, making Virginia Honey Month an opportunity to recognize the value of honey and the dedication of those who produce it;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 2025, as VIRGINIA HONEY MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.