Heroes to Hives (H2H) is a free 9-month beekeeping training program through Michigan State University Extension and its partners: the University of Missouri Extension, University of Minnesota Bee Veterans program, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program.
H2H is designed to teach active duty military, National Guard/ Reservist, veterans and their dependents (spouses and children 18 years or older of participating veterans only) the skills necessary to successfully keep honey.
Participants will learn current, science-based best management practices for beekeeping, while working with a network of other beekeeping veterans. Heroes to Hives aims to serve veterans and their families by giving them the tools and knowledge necessary to be effective, small scale, sustainable beekeepers.
About the Program
Heroes to Hives students participate in a free 9-month comprehensive education program that couples online lectures with handson learning in Heroes to Hives apiaries located across Michigan and Nebraska.
Students receive 2-6 hours of lecture content every month from March-November that is pre-recorded so that they can learn at their own pace. Online instruction is then coupled with on-ground training from May-October on hive handling, hive inspections, pest and pathogen management, and beekeeping ergonomics nearly every weekend during the beekeeping season at training apiaries located throughout Michigan, Nebraska and other states.
How to Start
Beekeeping is not a nationwide VA program, but VA does offer it at select locations. Veterans should check with their local recreational therapist to see if a program is in their area. In addition to VA programs, many nonprofits offer support for Veterans to get into beekeeping.
Dr. Adam Ingrao, himself a Veteran, offers a nine-month H2H online program. Veterans throughout the U.S. can participate in the online portion of the course.
For 2021, on-ground instruction will take place at the following locations (note COVID restrictions may prevent some or all on-ground sessions in 2021):
• Nebraska (offered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln): Lincoln.
• Michigan (offered by Michigan State University Extension): Benton Harbor, Hickory Corners, East Lansing, Novi, Newberry, and Escanaba (students outside of Michigan are welcome to travel to these workshops).
• Missouri (offered by the University of Missouri Extension): Warrensberg.
• Minnesota (offered by the University of Minnesota): Minneapolis and Rochester.
How to Apply
Apply for the 2021 Heroes to Hives Program by visiting www. canr.msu.edu/veterans/veteransprogramming/Heroes-to-Hives/ index. Deadline for submission is February 28th.
Program Fee
This program is provided FREE to all veterans, reservists, National Guard, active duty personnel and dependents of those individuals thanks to generous donations from corporate and private donors. If you feel compelled to donate, you can do so at www.heroestohives. com.
Program Eligibility Requirements
You must meet all of the following requirements:
1. You are NOT allergic to honey bee stings (if you are unsure contact your doctor).
2. You have access to reliable internet (most of the course is online).
3. You can provide proof of military service if requested (DD-214 or current VA card).
The Program Director is Adam Ingrao Ph.D., Extension Specialist: MSU Extension Veterans’ Liaison / Agricultural Entomologist MSU Extension. Email ingraoad@ msu.edu or call 906-293-3203.
For more information call Austin Beard, County Veteran Service Officer for Brown, Rock and Keya Paha Counties, 402-387-0233.
