Promotion of Beekeeping
Honeybees and other pollinating insects are of great importance to agriculture and food security: They ensure the pollination of many fruit, vegetable, and field crops, thereby making a crucial contribution to high yields and healthy ecosystems. Without sufficient pollination, many food sources would become scarce and biodiversity would suffer. For this reason, various measures to support beekeeping are being promoted in Hesse.
The beekeeping support program in the Fulda district helps safeguard bee populations, improve pollination in the countryside, and support new educational and environmental projects. At the same time, it complements statewide programs that further strengthen and modernize beekeeping.
Support Services in the Fulda District
- Beekeeping Clubs in Schools
: Up to four clubs per year are eligible for funding, each receiving a grant of up to 1,500 euros to support educational activities and foster the next generation of beekeepers. - Bee-Friendly Flowering
Areas: Flowering areas or strips can be created on voluntarily set-aside land to provide food for bees and other pollinators.- 204 euros per hectare for perennial flower mixes
- 68 euros per hectare for annual flower mixtures
. Support is available for areas up to a maximum of 2 hectares, and the local beekeepers’ association must provide confirmation for the measure. Perennial flowering areas may not be plowed under until October at the earliest, in order to ensure their benefit to wildlife.
- Beekeeping Clubs in Schools
Eligibility Requirements for Funding
- Certification by the local beekeepers' association for bee-friendly measures on fallow land that is not eligible for funding through HALM or organic farming programs (to prevent double funding)
- Compliance with the guidelines regarding area size and duration, as well as the use of a suitable flower mix.
- Beekeeping Clubs at Schools: a brief project description, including details on planned purchases as well as the school’s contact persons and the supervising beekeeping group
- Apply using the form "Application for County Subsidies, Including Flowering Areas" (available in the download section on this page)