WHEREAS, honey bees (Apis Mellifera) and other native insects are essential pollinators that contribute to food security by pollinating the plants we use and one-third of the food we consume; and
WHEREAS, honey bees face serious threats from many sources including pests and viruses, loss of habitat, toxic pesticide and herbicide usage, and changes in climate and resulting water patterns; and
WHEREAS, honey bees are essential in the production of Maine's heritage crops including blueberries and apples; and
WHEREAS, Maine's honey bees produce approximately 450,000 pounds of honey each year and contribute an estimated annual $100-150 million to the state’s economy; and
WHEREAS, Maine has almost 2,000 beekeepers ranging from hobbyists with as few as one hive, to part time business owners, to full time commercial beekeepers with thousands of hives; and
WHEREAS, while traditional beekeeping occurred in rural areas of Maine for the purpose of helping pollinate farm crops, beekeeping is now growing in urban areas as the result of rising numbers of hobby beekeepers interested in increasing biodiversity and local food production; and
WHEREAS, the State of Maine has an exemplary apiary inspection program for the protection of honey bees and education of beekeepers in the prevention and spread of apiary diseases and pests; and
WHEREAS, since 1975 the Honey Bee has been recognized as Maine's official state insect; and
WHEREAS, the Maine State Beekeepers Association is celebrating its 50th year of incorporation in 2026, and will host the annual “Bee Fest” on September 13 at the Viles Arboretum in Augusta;
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved, that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine do hereby proclaim September 13, 2026 as
Maine Honey Bee Day
and I encourage all Maine people to join in recognizing the importance of honey bees to our state.
In testimony whereof, I have caused
the Great Seal of the State to be
hereunto affixed GIVEN under my
hand at Augusta this twentieth day
of August Two Thousand Twenty-Six
