Heroes To Hives Is A Thriving Business For Veterans

Heroes To Hives Is A Thriving Business For Veterans SPECIALTY/SERVICES Adam Ingrao’s unfortunate military injury led him to develop a business idea that’s created a worldwide army of beekeepers 10 000 people strong Ingrao was proud to be the fourth generation of his family to serve in the Army but when he got injured he went looking for another way to serve his country “I always liked agriculture so with help from the GI Bill I finished a degree in plant science ” Ingrao says He was recruited to Michigan State University MSU to work on his Ph D and to study beneficial insects That’s when the bees discovered him With that newfound fascination coupled with a passion for serving tied to a life-long interest in the military Ingrao soon co-developed with his wife Lacey a beekeeping program specifically designed for service members and their families Today that 9-month online introduction to beekeeping called “Heroes to Hives” is free for all service members and up to three family members It helps many transitioning veterans reinvent themselves Heroes to Hives has become a worldwide phenomenon that many recognize as helping support food supply and food security By the end of 2023 the program will have trained 10 000 people from around the world The program took off with support from people like Ana Heck a resident bee expert at MSU Extension Heck represents the broader focus of the University while working with farmers and other Universities to build communities of people in the stewardship of pollinators Heck says “I’m especially proud of the supportive farming community that’s so interested in turning marginal land into bee habitat ” One of the colleges in Heck’s network is the University of Minnesota which will host the inaugural Heroes to Hives national conference at their Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Apiary in July 2024 After an incubation period at MSU Heroes to Hives became part of Michigan Food and Farming Systems MIFFS which handles registration and course management The Heroes to Hives staff consists of just one person Dr Adam Ingrao Through persistence and dedication he’s reached a vast number of veterans by running numerous programs and raising considerable funds to provide an amazing level of service “Most of my day-to-day job is networking ” Ingrao says “I work with individuals veteran’s groups the VA and anyone and everyone I can ” The VA is discovering what Ingrao and others already knew: that beekeeping is an excellent treatment for PTSD and anxiety It’s also a way for returning veterans to reconnect with each other and the land they helped defend Ingrao says most of the course participants are hobbyists yet many are inspired and grab onto his passion for bees Gary Brown is a good example Brown was ready to retire when he decided to manage a few hives for the honey He attended Heroes to Hives and eventually became a master beekeeper He went on to become the first veteran to teach hands-on beekeeping at his Michigan VFW post Brown says “I’m now in my fourth year of teaching and reaching out to all the other VFW posts promoting this program as one of the best ways to help with PTSD ” Nick & Nicole Kaminski started Hickory Tree Farm Apiaries after Nick’s Marine Corps service Their goal is to grow toward the commercial size of 400 hives The Kaminski’s also believe in paying it forward and have taken the Heroes to Hives training to help others “The biggest threat to bees is the lack of beekeeper training ” Nick says “Beekeepers need to know proper husbandry pest and disease control and good management practices ” The vast Heroes to Hives network is proving vital to our pollinators our veterans and our food supply Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Heroes to Hives www miffs org/heroestohives

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