(a) Establishment. - The North Carolina Beehive Grant Fund is established as a special fund in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Department is responsible for administering the Fund using personnel and other administrative resources of the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund program. The Fund may receive funds appropriated by the General Assembly and any gifts, grants, or donations from any public or private sources.
(b) Purposes. - Funds in the North Carolina Beehive Grant Fund shall be used, as available, to encourage the establishment of new beehives in the State. Grants from the Fund shall be made upon application to the Beehive Grant Program as set forth in G.S. 106-651.