Since 2015, the Heroes to Hives program has been leading the nation in training military veterans, National Guard members, Active Duty personnel, Reservists and their dependents in the art and science of beekeeping. Founded by Bee Wise Farms LLC and Michigan Food and Farming Systems’ Veterans in Agriculture Network, the program began as a way to engage Service Members in beekeeping as an opportunity for them to continue serving their nation by protecting our nation’s food security and work with other Service Members to recreate the support network of the military.

 

OUR MISSION

PROTECT OUR NATION’S FOOD SECURITY AND 

SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF OUR FELLOW SERVICE MEMBERS

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

Heroes to Hives is a 9-month beginning beekeeping education course designed to train Service Members through a free online training program that is coupled with on-ground training opportunities (in select States) and to develop a community of support with other veterans. Since 2015, Heroes to Hives has trained over 11,000 Service Members and their dependents from all over the world.

 

The 2024 Heroes to Hives program will include:

• Over 75 hours of online training in beekeeping

      through lectures, instructional videos, and handouts

• Small business training by the Small Business

      Administration’s Veterans Business Outreach Center

• Educational module and job seeking tool for preparing

      veterans for jobs in the commercial beekeeping industry

• Online marketing training 

• Training on therapeutic practices in the bee yard

 

Service Members successfully completing the Heroes to Hives program are eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion, recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and have the opportunity to transfer Heroes to Hives credits to the Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program at the University of Nebraska where Service Members can complete their Master Beekeeping Certificate. 

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HOW TO JOIN THE HEROES TO HIVES PROGRAM?

2024 Cohort Registration is Closed

Registration for the 2025 cohort opens Nov. 1, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025 

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CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR

THE 2024 HEROES TO HIVES CONFERENCE

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OUR FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Community development and fellowship are key drivers of the Heroes to Hives program and in June 2024, Heroes to Hives will be hosting our first national conference. This event will bring 200 veterans from all over the US to engage in a 2-day conference and field day hosted by The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN. Students will gain valuable training and have the opportunity to build bonds with fellow service members from around the country who share their passion for national service and supporting honey bees.

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Shop the Heroes to Hives Store!

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Every purchase supports the free education we provide to thousands of US service members and their families every year!

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EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES OF OUR ALUMNI

As part of our regular evaluation process we survey our students with entrance and exit surveys to determine their educational outcomes. Our students report the following outcomes due to their education with Heroes to Hives (2021 data from ~2,500 students).

• 97% report increased confidence in keeping bees

• 97% report increased understanding of disease and pest management

• 94% report increased ability to monitor varroa mites 

• 97% report increases understanding of varroa mite treatment use

• 96% report improved understanding of overwintering management of bees

• 97% of students are happy with their Heroes to Hives education

• 97% would recommend Heroes to Hives to another person 

 

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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PARTNER OR AFFILIATE

Heroes to Hives is seeking additional Partners and Affiliates to help train Service Members through hands-on instruction throughout the US. Partner or Affiliate organizations must be led by a Master beekeeper or an individual with educational/experience equivalent. All Partners and Affiliates are expected to provide free hands-on education to Heroes to Hives students in a safe, supportive, Service Member focused environment. All training apiaries must provide ADA accessible restrooms, apiaries that are free of tripping hazards, and apiaries that are in close proximity to parking.

 

• Partners: Universities and well-established beekeeping education non-profits (Examples: State beekeeping organizations, local bee clubs)

  • Master Beekeeping Certificate or equivalent education/experience for program instructor(s)

  • Offer on-ground education free Heroes to Hives students

  • Provide content contributions to online course

  • Point of support for veteran resource connections in State

• Affiliates: Heroes to  Hives alumni or individual beekeepers 

  • Master Beekeeping Certificate or equivalent education/experience for program instructor(s)

  • Offer on-ground training free to Heroes to Hives students

  • Must meet all Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program training site requirements

  • Must be a registered Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program training location

 

FILL OUT OUR PARTNERSHIP/AFFILIATE INTEREST FORM HERE

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information or to learn more about the Heroes to Hives program visit www.HeroestoHives.org or email Heroes to Hives’ National Director Dr. Adam Ingrao at adam@miffs.org.

 

DONATIONS

All donations to Heroes to Hives are 100% tax deductible and support the operation and growth of the program. Those interested in donating can donate now at by clicking this link DONATE HERE and selecting “Veterans in Ag Network” (where Heroes to Hives is housed) or contact Dr. Adam Ingrao at adam@miffs.org.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This work is supported by the Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans grant, award no. 2021-77028-35274 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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