Veteran Finds Healing and Prosperity Through Beekeeping With USDA Grants
Just outside of Fayetteville, North Carolina, veteran farmer Jim Hartman embodies the resilience and resourcefulness of the honeybees he tends to. After a decade in the United States Army and nearly 12 years with a large defense contractor, Hartman faced mounting injuries and PTSD. Traditional treatments failed him, but a recommendation from a veteran friend to try beekeeping changed his life.
In 2020, Hartman sold his first batch of honey and experienced significant improvements in his well-being. This positive change prompted him to leave the corporate world and immerse himself in agriculture. Using his military training, he developed a strategic plan to establish his honey business, focusing on securing government funding to support his venture. “Eighty percent of your money is made in the paperwork,” Hartman noted.
Hartman’s first step was contacting the USDA Farm Service Agency, where he received assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program, helping with bee-related costs. He then turned to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for wildflower funding. His persistence led him to discover the USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grant, enabling him to purchase supplies at affordable prices and compete in larger markets.
At Secret Garden Bees, Hartman’s 22-acre property, he built a thriving business and a supportive community. He employs four veterans and dedicates himself to sharing his knowledge. Hartman’s commitment to veteran and beginning farmers is evident in his work with organizations like the Veteran Farmers of North Carolina, his speaking engagements at the Farmer Veteran Coalition National Meetings, his frequent communication with the USDA Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison, and his participation in the North Carolina Rural Rise seminars and the county’s Soldiers to Agriculture program.
Hartman’s journey demonstrates the power of resilience and the importance of support systems in helping veterans transition to new careers. His story also highlights the critical role of government programs in fostering agricultural entrepreneurship and sustainability.
FAQs
Who is Jim Hartman? Jim Hartman is a veteran who served in the United States Army and later worked for a defense contractor. He turned to beekeeping to manage his PTSD and injuries.
How did beekeeping help Jim Hartman? Beekeeping provided therapeutic benefits, improved his well-being, and eventually led him to leave his corporate job to start a honey business.
What role did USDA grants play in his success? Hartman utilized multiple USDA grants to cover costs related to beekeeping, such as the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program and the Value-Added Producer Grant, which helped him grow his business.
What is Secret Garden Bees? Secret Garden Bees is Hartman’s 22-acre property where he runs his successful honey business and employs other veterans.
How does Hartman support the veteran farming community? He shares his knowledge through speaking engagements, works with veteran farming organizations, and participates in programs like Soldiers to Agriculture.
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