I started with bees in 2015. I went into it cold – no training. It’s just bee keeping, right? How hard can it be? Then, one day, I was discussing my bee challenges with another bee keeper and he said, “Bee keeping without knowing what you are doing is just bee-having.” and I will add that bee-having will only last so long before you don’t have them anymore. Eventually, I got tired of paying for new bees every year and decided to learn about bees. I learned about a program run by the Michigan State University called Heroes to Hives (H2H). H2H is primarily an on-line program available to Veterans, Reservists, Active Duty or National Guard members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their adult children, spouses, partners and caregivers.

As it turns out, bees are very complicated organisims! They are not just a bunch of honey producing, stinging insects in a box. I learned so much with the H2H program. It made me a bee-keeper rather than a bee-haver. The program is a nine module series with one module being released every month. The classes are (for the most part) interesting and entertaining. You have to pay attention because there is a test at the end of each module and a comprehensive test at the end of the program. When it is complete, you earn the coveted Heroes to Hives certificate.

I strongly recommend any bee keeper get some bee education. If you can, take advantage of the H2H program. While you are at it, find a local bee keeper to be your mentor and/or join your local and state bee keeper’s association so you can have someone local to discuss your bee related topics.