Free online beekeeping course for veterans (Heroes to Hives)
Heroes to Hives: Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) with MSU Extension
At a glance
- Cost
- FreeFree course. MIFFS says all Heroes to Hives curriculum is free on YouTube. The optional final exam for the certificate, patch and sticker costs $25 for U.S. military (past and present, regardless of discharge type) and $50 for everyone else.
- Who qualifies
- Built for U.S. military: MSU Extension lists veterans, Reservists, Active Duty and National Guard members, who may enroll their adult children, spouses, partners and caregivers.Full rules are in the details below.
- Format
- Online
- Last checked
Check current terms: Individual eligibility, seats and coverage must be confirmed with the provider.
Dates and availability: Status evidence: MSU Extension says Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) runs the Heroes to Hives online program. MIFFS says all curriculum is free on the Heroes to Hives YouTube channel starting January 1, 2026, at your own pace. Application window: No cohort or registration deadline for the free course. The optional certificate exam for 2026 is open April 1 to December 31, 2026 (11:59 PM ET) and reopens April 1, 2027. Availability limits: The course is free. The certificate exam is not: $25 for U.S. military (past and present, any discharge type) and $50 for everyone else. MSU Extension has no in-person Heroes to Hives workshops scheduled. Next start: Self-paced; start any time.
- Credential
- CertificateCertificate of Completion by optional paid exam
Before you decide
- What is free
- Free self-paced course; the optional certificate exam is $25 for U.S. military.
- Costs or benefits needed
- Free course. MIFFS says all Heroes to Hives curriculum is free on YouTube. The optional final exam for the certificate, patch and sticker costs $25 for U.S. military (past and present, regardless of discharge type) and $50 for everyone else.
- Who qualifies
- Built for U.S. military: MSU Extension lists veterans, Reservists, Active Duty and National Guard members, who may enroll their adult children, spouses, partners and caregivers. Since January 1, 2026, MIFFS has opened the free course to anyone.
- What you get
- Self-paced beginning beekeeping course with over 50 hours of lectures and how-to videos in nine modules, plus small business, USDA program and therapeutic beekeeping training. Pass the optional exam to earn a USDA-recognized certificate and a mailed patch and sticker.
- Credential and key limits
- Heroes to Hives Certificate of Completion, recognized by the USDA, plus an iron-on patch and sticker, if you pass the optional paid exam ($25 U.S. military).
- Format
- Self-paced YouTube lectures and instructional videos in nine modules, plus an optional online exam (100 questions, open book, pass at 70%).
- Duration
- Self-paced (over 50 hours of video)
- Location
- Online, nationwide (YouTube). Patches and stickers mail only to U.S. addresses.
- Deadline
- Status evidence: MSU Extension says Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) runs the Heroes to Hives online program. MIFFS says all curriculum is free on the Heroes to Hives YouTube channel starting January 1, 2026, at your own pace. Application window: No cohort or registration deadline for the free course. The optional certificate exam for 2026 is open April 1 to December 31, 2026 (11:59 PM ET) and reopens April 1, 2027. Availability limits: The course is free. The certificate exam is not: $25 for U.S. military (past and present, any discharge type) and $50 for everyone else. MSU Extension has no in-person Heroes to Hives workshops scheduled.
- Next start
- Self-paced; start any time.
- Notes
- MIFFS runs the national online program; MSU Extension contributed course materials and has held workshops (none scheduled). Over 19,000 U.S. military members and families trained in the last decade, per MIFFS. Exam attempts: the MIFFS exam page says 3 attempts per purchase; the exam registration page says unlimited attempts before Dec 31.
- Availability
- Open
- Details checked
- 2026-10-31
Application and credential details
- How to apply
- Open the MSU Extension Heroes to Hives page, then follow the link to the MIFFS Heroes to Hives course page.
- Watch the nine modules free on the Heroes to Hives YouTube channel, in order, at your own pace.
- Optional: buy the final exam on the MIFFS exam page ($25 for U.S. military) and pass with 70% or better for the certificate, patch and sticker.
- Application link
- Open official application page
- Credential or outcome
- Heroes to Hives Certificate of Completion, recognized by the USDA, plus an iron-on patch and sticker, if you pass the optional paid exam ($25 U.S. military).
- Application details checked
- 2026-10-31
- Application review status
- Official-source review completed
- Sources for these details
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/veterans/veterans-programming/Heroes-to-Hives/ — checked 2026-10-31
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/heroes-to-hives — checked 2026-10-31
- https://miffs.org/heroes-to-hives-registration/ — checked 2026-10-31
- https://miffs.org/3899-2/ — checked 2026-10-31
- https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/e3dt2y8/lp/eae75af6-29d4-414a-b2d3-c78d6988e2ef — checked 2026-10-31
- Availability checked
- 2026-10-31
- Current availability
- Open: self-paced, start any time
- Status evidence
- MSU Extension says Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) runs the Heroes to Hives online program. MIFFS says all curriculum is free on the Heroes to Hives YouTube channel starting January 1, 2026, at your own pace.
- Application window
- No cohort or registration deadline for the free course. The optional certificate exam for 2026 is open April 1 to December 31, 2026 (11:59 PM ET) and reopens April 1, 2027.
- Availability limits
- The course is free. The certificate exam is not: $25 for U.S. military (past and present, any discharge type) and $50 for everyone else. MSU Extension has no in-person Heroes to Hives workshops scheduled.
- Timing sources