Helping Veterans Heal, One Beehive at a Time
Not all wounds of war can be seen. Some battle scars run much deeper, affecting the soul. Gary LaGrange, a retired U.S. Army colonel, understands this profoundly. After a 30-year military career, this Vietnam veteran has dedicated his life to helping returning servicemembers transition back to civilian life and heal from PTSD through an innovative program he founded: Valor Honey.
The Mission of Valor Honey LaGrange’s journey with Valor Honey began post-9/11 when he realized the potential of agricultural careers for veterans. With over 1.5 million veterans looking for new opportunities, and many expressing interest in agriculture, beekeeping emerged as a viable entry point. It requires a small land footprint and is affordable.
In 2012, inspired by his daughter's success in using farming projects for therapy at Fort Riley, LaGrange launched a pilot program to train veterans in beekeeping. The program started with 24 beehives and 14 participants, all suffering from PTSD. The results were so significant that Valor Honey has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational charity.
Therapeutic and Career Benefits Today, Valor Honey operates around 250 beehives and a packing facility south of Manhattan, Kansas, with additional hives and a teaching space at Kansas State University’s Agronomy Education Center. The honey produced is sold online and in retail stores, with 100% of sales supporting the program.
The therapeutic benefits of beekeeping are profound. LaGrange reports that after three months of working with bees, participants show reduced suicidal ideations, fewer outbursts, and a decrease in incarcerations. Beekeeping helps veterans reintegrate into society, return to their families, and become productive citizens.
Educational Programs and Partnerships Valor Honey offers multiple entry points for veterans and their families. Collaborating with counselors at Fort Riley’s Soldier Recovery Unit, the program tailors its offerings to the needs of its participants. Additionally, Valor Honey provides beekeeping internships and has recently partnered with Kansas State University to offer accredited courses in beekeeping, qualifying for VA benefits and GI Bill funds.
Supporting Afghan Allies In January 2024, Valor Honey received a grant to train 15 Afghan Allies, former contractors with the U.S. armed forces who have resettled in the Manhattan area. These individuals, like Iudrees Khalim, bring their beekeeping experience from Afghanistan and find comfort and financial stability through this practice.
Future Initiatives Looking ahead, Valor Honey, in partnership with Kansas State University and the American Honey Producers Association, plans to establish the American Beekeeping and Honey Institute in Manhattan. This institute will focus on training, research, certification, and communication about honey and beekeeping.
Legislative Support On May 22, Sen. Jerry Moran introduced the Colonel Gary LaGrange AgVets Act of 2024, aiming to expand the pilot Food and Agriculture Resilience Program for Military Veterans. This act will provide resources for training veterans in agriculture, develop curricula, and support additional activities to increase the number of veterans pursuing agricultural careers.
Conclusion Valor Honey is more than just a beekeeping program; it is a lifeline for veterans, offering therapeutic healing and career opportunities. By working with bees, veterans find peace, purpose, and a path to reintegration. As LaGrange says, “You’re working with something that’s producing life, and a product at the end.” This act of creation heals deeply, helping veterans transform their lives.
FAQs
What is Valor Honey? Valor Honey is a nonprofit organization that trains veterans and their families in beekeeping to help them transition to civilian life and heal from PTSD.
Who founded Valor Honey and why? Retired U.S. Army Colonel Gary LaGrange founded Valor Honey to assist returning servicemembers in healing their deep, often invisible, wounds of war.
How does beekeeping help veterans? Beekeeping provides therapeutic benefits, reducing suicidal ideations, outbursts, and incarcerations among veterans. It also offers a career path in agriculture.
What collaborations does Valor Honey have? Valor Honey collaborates with Kansas State University to provide training and educational opportunities in beekeeping.
How is Valor Honey funded? The program relies on grants, monetary and in-kind donations, and honey sales. Honey with the Valor Honey label is sold online and in retail outlets, with all proceeds supporting the educational efforts.
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