Former U.S. Marine Christian Dahm breeds winter-hardy bees in Wrenshall, Minnesota. He got involved in beekeeping through the U of M’s Bee Veterans program, which offers classes on topics ranging from bee biology to harvesting honey.

"A beekeeper must be 100 percent in the moment while with the bees, but also thinking far ahead to manage them well,” he says.

Vietnam veteran and U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Michael Roche, who was fascinated by the therapeutic benefits of beekeeping, provided the initial funding for Bee Veterans. The program, which is open to all Minnesota veterans and service members, held its first classes in 2016.