Heroes to Hives

Missouri is the first state chapter of the national Heroes to Hives program. Heroes to Hives is a unique program offered through the Michigan Food & Farming Systems that seeks to address financial and personal wellness of veterans through free professional training and community development centered around beekeeping. Veterans leave our program with a broad depth of beekeeping knowledge, as well as personal and professional relationships that open new opportunities and ensure long-term peer support. Our students understand the importance of pollinators in US agriculture and stand to protect managed honeybees through small-scale sustainable beekeeping operations.

Heroes to Hives students participate in a 9-month comprehensive education program that couples online lectures with hands-on learning. 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. On-ground training takes place April-October at our Heroes to Hives apiary located on the University of Central Missouri Mitchell Street Farm, MU Southwest Research Center, and Three Rivers College Farm and Rodeo Arena. Hands-on training includes hive handling, hive inspections, pest and pathogen management, and beekeeping ergonomics. Students who complete the course are eligible to receive a certificate of completion from Michigan State University Extension.

Donate now to support Missouri veterans and agriculture.

Events and online courses

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January 11, 2024 - January 13, 2024

Great Plains Growers Conference

Resources

Brain Injury Association of Missouri

Mission is to reduce the incidence of brain injury; to promote acceptance, independence & productivity of persons with brain injury; & to support their families, caregivers & community.

Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program - Lincoln University

Created to help the small farmers and ranchers of Missouri, especially those who are socially disadvantaged and underserved, to raise the level of efficiency on their farms while taking good care of the soil, water and the environment.

Michigan State University Extension Heroes to Hives

Heroes to Hives was created in 2015 at Michigan State University to promote the financial and personal wellness of veterans through training and community-building around beekeeping.

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