LEAD for Pollinators

(pictured in photo from Akron City Hall Council Chambers: L-R: Councilmember, Fran Wilson, Carl Harp of Summit County Farm Bureau, Michele Colopy of LEAD for Pollinators, Emily Mueller of Meuller Honey Bee, Randy katz of Summit County Beekeepers.)

Akron, Ohio now has a reasonable, science-based beekeeping ordinance.

LEAD for Pollinators and the Summit Food Coalition began the process to update the Akron Bee Ordinance in 2018 as part of a greater process to support urban farming. All efforts were stymied in 2022.

Revitalizing this process in the last four months of 2026, The Akron Environmental Justice Coalition and LEAD for Pollinators, joined by the Summit County & Ohio Farm Bureau, Big Love Network, and Summit County Beekeepers reignited this work. With new city leadership, and an energized Councilmember, Fran Wilson, the ordinance was updated, and last night Akron City Council unanimously approved the updated ordinance.

Thank you to those who signed onto the group support letter, and for those citizens and beekeepers who submitted letters of support to City Council.

Beekeeping Committee of the Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
Ohio Farm Bureau
Big Love Network
Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
LEAD for Pollinators
Summit County Beekeepers Association

TAKE ACTION by July 19, 2026

The Akron Environmental Justice Coalition and LEAD for Pollinators has been continuing the work started by the Summit Food Coalition to update the Akron ordinances concerning beekeeping, chickens, and urban farming. Begun before the pandemic working with previous councilmembers, finally under ward 1 Councilperson Fran Wilson an updated beekeeping ordinance has been proposed and will be voted on by Akron City Council Monday, July 20, 2026.

You can find the revised ordinance, LEAD for Pollinators support letter here,, and sign onto the Support letter at the LEAD for Pollinators ACTION webpage HERE https://leadforpollinators.org/akron-ohio-beekeeping-ordinance-update-2026/

Beekeeping Committee of the Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
Ohio Farm Bureau
Big Love Network
Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
LEAD for Pollinators
Summit County Beekeepers Association

https://signalakron.org/beekeeping-in-akron-may-get-easier-if-city-council-eliminates-permits/

Beekeeping in Akron may get easier if city ends permits Proposed changes to Akron's beekeeping ordinance would make regulations clearer, encourage responsible beekeeping, experts say.

TAKE ACTION by July 19, 2026

The Akron Environmental Justice Coalition and LEAD for Pollinators has been continuing the work started by the Summit Food Coalition to update the Akron ordinances concerning beekeeping, chickens, and urban farming. Begun before the pandemic working with previous councilmembers, finally under ward 1 Councilperson Fran Wilson an updated beekeeping ordinance has been proposed and will be voted on by Akron City Council Monday, July 20, 2026.

You can find the revised ordinance, LEAD for Pollinators support letter, and sign onto the Support letter at the LEAD for Pollinators ACTION webpage at https://leadforpollinators.org/akron-ohio-beekeeping-ordinance-update-2026/

Beekeeping Committee of the Akron Environmental Justice Coalition:
Ohio Farm Bureau
Big Love Network
Akron Environmental Justice Coalition
LEAD for Pollinators
Summit County Beekeepers Association

https://grow.oeffa.org/farm-tours/

Make your voice count. Ohio and Indiana Primary elections are today! Go Vote!!

https://www.statenews.org/section/the-ohio-newsroom/2026-04-08/farmers-in-northwest-ohio-use-a-lot-of-pesticides-is-there-a-link-to-cancer

Farmers in northwest Ohio use a lot of pesticides. Is there a link to cancer? Of the 500 counties across the country that use the most pesticides per square mile, Investigate Midwest found 60% have above average rates of cancer.