Hives for Heroes: Beekeeping program helps veterans transition to civilian life
National nonprofit matches former service members with mentors through beekeeping and other activities
(Aging Untold) — Thousands of volunteers nationwide are helping military veterans navigate the transition to civilian life through beekeeping as part of a national nonprofit called Hives for Heroes.
About the program
Hives for Heroes pairs transitioning veterans with mentors who connect them with hands-on activities such as beekeeping and woodworking. The organization was designed specifically to support veterans leaving military service.
“Hives for Heroes was designed to help, in particular, transitioning veterans transition out of the military into civilian life,” said Cheri Ben-Iesau, a Coast Guard veteran who spent 25 years in the military. “And give them something to concentrate on.”
Ben-Iesau joined Hives for Heroes as a way to give back to fellow service members. She operates a 50-acre apiary and blueberry farm with 27 hives, with plans to slowly increase that number.
Addressing mental health challenges
Ben-Iesau said the program targets veterans who may be struggling after leaving the service.
“They might be having a hard time because of depression — just a change of the transition," she said. “Maybe they have PTSD, or some of them are suicidal. So the idea with Hives for Heroes is to actually match those people with a mentor that can get them involved in something positive and engaging, like woodworking or beekeeping.”
The challenge of leaving military life
Ben-Iesau also offered a message for service members preparing to leave the military.
“There’s still a great life. Transition is not always easy. It’s very different from military life, but it can be done,” Ben-Iesau said. “There’s so much waiting for you out there.”
Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician and Aging Untold expert, described the military as a self-contained community that can make the outside world feel unfamiliar to those who leave it.
“When you’re in the military, you’re in your own community. Everything is protected. You have your own grocery store, your own retail stores, your own doctors, hospitals and all that,” Rogers said. “That community is very safe and connected. So imagine people were in there four years, six years, 20 years. Now you have to come out into this other world. That’s very scary. That’s the transition. I experienced it.”
Copyright 2026 Gray Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
