UP Veteran Beekeepers

The Upper Peninsula, Kiva, Michigan, is home to a new beekeeper. Retired AO2 Petty Officer Donald Schafer, is an eight year disabled Navy veteran that served our country as an aviation ordinancemen. Don is one of five Schafer brothers who joined the Navy. It is highly unusual for all siblings to join at the same time, let alone the same branch of service. Each brother’s name is inscribed, one after the other, on his hometown Escanaba, Michigan, Wall of Honor.

I had the privilege of meeting Don last week. He contacted Sweet Mountain Farm about an idea. He intends to become a beekeeper and plans to provide a special service to other veterans. Don has been home now for several months, not knowing how best to use his military skills as a repatriated civilian. His inspiration came after watching a 1935 film called Keeper of the Bees. The story is about a WWI Veteran who became a beekeeper, passed his skill on to a ten year old girl, who passed it on to the main character, a WWII Veteran.

Don moved to a 20 acre farm on the outskirts of town where his honeybees will have abundant foraging. He wants to share his experience with other Veterans who can benefit from a honeybee experience. The goal is to provide starter beekeeping kits to disabled veterans and become a resource for building a veteran beekeeping network.

The eight years Don has been away, his hometown has changed. It was a difficult readjustment. Rather than wait for new friendships to form Don reaches out to help others like himself. He is forming new bonds through his interests in raising honeybees. He is reading about bee houses and the therapeutic benefits inherent in this hobby. From there, his business plan fell into place.

A few years ago I too came to understand the therapeutic benefits of beekeeping. I started beekeeping after the death of my husband. When working with bees one learns to relax, move slowly, and move deliberately. There is a soothing rhythm to the sound of 70,000 workers humming in unison.

Don definitely has the entrepreneurial skills required to set up a business raising bees and selling honey. He has a great start on a business plan that will not only supply his community with locally produced honey but will also benefit his fellow veteran serviceman.

When I heard about Don’s idea to supply starter kits to veteran beekeepers, I was immediately impressed by his initiative, enthusiasm and willingness to learn a new trade. I am honored to provide him with one of Sweet Mountain Farm’s eight frame cedar beehives.

If you would like to contact Don his email address is donaldschafer@gmail.com or you can visit his funding page to make a donation his business start-up. https://www.gofundme.com/mvc.php?route=search&term=Disabled%20Veterans%20to%20Beekeepers%20