By VERNON ROBISON
The Progress
The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Logandale office is starting a new program which seeks to soothe the nerves of local veterans, while also teaching them a new hobby. Almost everything is in place to start the program. All that is needed now is for interested local veterans to register as participants.
The program is called Honey for Heroes. It offers a full hands-on training in the art of beekeeping, completely free, to as many as five local veterans who sign up for the program.
“Studies have shown that working with bees is great in relieving anxiety and stress,” said Logandale Cooperative Extension Educator Carol Bishop. “It is a relaxing and soothing hobby and it’s also very rewarding.”
Bishop said that the program addresses two areas of specific focus for the local Cooperative Extension office: mental health in rural areas and promoting agricultural lifestyles. Furthermore it aims to benefit local veterans who may have gone through a lot for their country.
“I have a passion for helping our veterans,” Bishop said. “And I had heard about a similar program that was going on up in northern Nevada. So I took a field trip to see the program at work first hand and I fell in love with the idea.”
Bishop immediately saw the program as a “win-win-win.”
“First off, it was really good at helping the vets and giving them a lifelong way to deal with their stress,” Bishop said. “Secondly, it creates a natural food product which can bring both nutritional and economic benefits. And third, the bees pollinate other important plants and trees which produce more food later. It is just a great program.”
Bishop has recruited local beekeeper Callie Wade to teach the year-long program. Wade will teach the veterans how to care for the bees in their own hives.
Bishop said that she has ordered all of the supplies, tools, protective gear and even the bee colonies for the veterans to work with in the training. Everything that is needed will be included in the free program.
At the end of the year, the veterans get to keep all of their supplies including beekeeping suits, veils, gloves and all their various tools. Plus each one will be given a hive of bees to work with at home going forward.
“It will be a great program,” Bishop said. “Now all we need are participants in the class.”
To register for the class or to get more information contact Bishop by phone at 702-397-2604 or by email at cbishop@unr.edu.
