Apiculture Rainfall Index Insurance
Drought Protection for Beekeepers

Protect Your Honey Crop & Colony Income When Rainfall Falls Short

North Dakota leads the nation in honey production, and local beekeepers know just how much a dry season can threaten their livelihood. Apiculture Rainfall Index Insurance is a federally subsidized program designed for apiaries-paying you when rainfall in your area drops below normal, so you can keep your operation on solid ground. Whether you run a few hives or thousands, Gateway Insurance helps you set up tailored coverage that protects your honey flow, your pollination business, and your peace of mind.

Simple, Scalable Drought Coverage for Apiaries

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Coverage Based on Rainfall Data

Select grids (where your colonies are located) and coverage intervals that match key bloom periods-like spring alfalfa or summer clover.

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No Yield Records Needed

If rainfall in your chosen grid and period is below the historical average, you receive an indemnity on your actual honey yield.

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Covers Supplemental Costs

Payments can offset lost honey sales, extra feed costs, or relocating hives to better forage during dry years.

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Federally Subsidized

Premiums are affordable, even for hobby or small commercial beekeepers-coverage and cost scale to your apiary's size.

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Why Beekeepers Rely on Rainfall Index Insurance

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State-leading honey production means weather swings have big economic impacts.

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Key wildflower and crop blooms depend on timely rainfall for nectar flow.

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Coverage intervals can be customized to match the bloom schedule of your local forage.

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Works for both stationary and migratory beekeepers (multi-state options available).

Apiculture Rainfall Index-Questions Answered

  • How does the bee rainfall index insurance work for beekeepers?

    You select locations and coverage periods; if rainfall measured in your grid falls below normal, you get paid-helping cover lost honey production or extra feeding costs.

  • Is this only for large commercial beekeepers?

    No-whether you have 50 colonies or 5,000, coverage scales to your operation and premiums are subsidized for accessibility.

  • Does it actually help with honey loss due to drought?

    Yes-payments are triggered by rainfall shortfalls, the leading cause of low nectar flow and poor honey harvest in ND.

  • What do I need to get started?

    Apiary locations, preferred coverage months (bloom periods), and colony count. Gateway Insurance maps your hives and walks you through every step.

Local, Licensed, and Experienced

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Trusted by commercial and hobbyist apiaries

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Guidance on coverage periods and colony mapping

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Multi-state licensed for migratory hives (e.g., almond pollination in CA)

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Insure Your Honey Production-Plan for Dry Years with Gateway

Keep your apiary, pollination business, and honey income stable, even when the weather won't cooperate. Gateway Insurance tailors rainfall index coverage to your unique bee operation.