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MISSION Our mission is to assist military veterans and first responders impacted by PTSD or TBI who are trying to transition back into the general workforce through vocational beekeeping experiences in the local community; combining outdoor activity, education and community outreach to create an environment of support and training where veterans can develop the interest and skills necessary to participate in beekeeping as a vocation or hobby. Beekeeping can be very satisfying for those suffering from PTSD or TBI. Beekeeping has been known to be a good vocation or hobby for disabled veterans since at least the end of World War I and was published in “Opportunity Monograph, Vocational Rehabilitation Series No. 37 Bee Keeping”, April 1919. WHY BEEKEEPING There are many advantages to beekeeping. Foremost to persons with disabilities, is the advantage of choosing equipment that best suits your ability to work hives (lifting and moving). Beekeeping is primarily a solo or small group occupation and is not normally something that is done in large crowds, congested areas or noisy locations. Working bees requires that you be conscious and “in the moment”. Honey bees will quickly remind someone who has drifted mentally to other thoughts or stressors. Working the hives can be very relaxing, as can sitting and watching the bees come and go. Harvesting honey from your bees can also provide some income as can raising bees for sale to the beekeeping community. The amount of income is proportional to the level of work put into keeping the bees and the number of hives maintained. It is possible to start with a couple of hives and work up to hundreds over time or to stay with just a couple.

PROGRAM

Our program is specifically aimed at teaching veterans and first responders with PTSD and/or TBI the vocation of beekeeping. This is primarily a hands-on program where our students learn by doing.

Our program will run from at latest late April until at least mid-October. If the weather warms up early, it could start earlier and if it stays warm later, it will run later. We will meet at least weekly during this time. It is our goal for our students to learn as ... 閱讀全文

PROGRAM

Our program is specifically aimed at teaching veterans and first responders with PTSD and/or TBI the vocation of beekeeping. This is primarily a hands-on program where our students learn by doing.

First Year

Students in their first year in our program will receive personalized instruction and will have direct supervision while working with the bees. Note, this is a hands-on program where our clients will be working with the bees themselves, not just watching someone else work with the bees. Each student will have 2 hives to manage and take care of. Students may help build the hive equipment they will use in the field.

Starting in April we will:

Install new bees into their hives

From April into June or early July we will:

Split hives from last year that came through the winter healthy and strong enough to split
Work with basic queen rearing techniques
Install new queens into splits

From July on, in addition to the above, we will:

Harvest Honey
Requeen hives needing new queens
Ensure the hives have enough food come the end of summer/early fall

Once the weather starts getting cool in the fall, we will:

Winterize the hives
Set up winter feeding as necessary
Start planning for next year

During the year, we will also demonstrate how to assemble the various hive components that a beekeeper needs to purchase or make. This includes hive boxes and frames.

Second Year

During their second year in our program, our students will have the opportunity to work independently with hives hosted throughout the local community with easy access to assistance if needed and with periodic oversight to ensure they are not having problems and are doing well applying what they have learned from their first year. The second year is not mandatory.

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