A mysterious honeybee disease known as Colony Collapse Disorder has yet to affect Vermont, where officials say concern over the affliction has spurred a resurgence in beekeeping in the state.
There are about 1,700 registered beekeepers in Vermont caring for more than 10,000 hives. The $1 million worth of honey they produce is a small sliver of the state’s agricultural business, but the state’s fruit and vegetable crops rely heavily on the presence of the tiny pollinators.
The state has seen the number of beekeepers grow by about 300 in the last five years. Industry officials say many of the newcomers became interested in the hobby after hearing about the deaths of millions of honeybees in other states.