How Our Mentorship Program Works

Operation BeeStrong uses a multi year mentorship structure that takes participants from total beginners to confident beekeepers. The program focuses on learning, community, and steady progress.

Year One: Learning the Basics

In your first year, you will work closely with an experienced mentor. You will learn:

• How to suit up safely

• How to handle frames

• How to check hive health

• How to stay calm around bees

This stage builds confidence through direct experience and hands on guidance.

Year Two: Managing Your Own Hive

In the second year, you will begin caring for your own colony while still receiving support from your mentor. You will learn about:

• Seasonal hive management

• Honey production

• Pest and disease prevention

• Building independence in your beekeeping practice

This is the year where you transition from student to beekeeper.

Year Three: Becoming a Leader

By the third year, many participants choose to share what they have learned. Some support new mentees, others assist in workshops or community events. Participants often discover leadership qualities they did not realize they had.

A Journey of Growth

Each year builds on the last. The goal is not only to teach beekeeping, but to restore confidence, connection, and purpose. The hive grows stronger when each person grows with it.