About Us and Our Journey
The Dream Farm without a farm.
We are struggling for our own farm. Our bees are housed on other’s farms. Out of this we have developed our Hive Hosting program. This program allows us to expand our number of hives. As a Hive Host you enjoy all the benefits of Honeybees without the work. We do all the work.
We know not everyone is cut out to be a host.
We are keeping our eye on the goal.
We currently have 32 (2022) hives. We have taken advance beekeeping courses to learn overwintering nucs, rearing queens and several methods of making splits from their hives. Our goal is to have 150-200 hives within the next three years. Increasing our income by selling extra nucs, extra queens and adding value add product such as varietal honeys, pollinator services, and so much more.
Tom and Marie enjoy passing along what they have learned. Talking to any one that is interested in honeybees and other pollinators. We have mentored fellow veterans in their beekeeping endeavors, to limit the new beekeepers failures and encourage them to continue to the next step. We are going through the process of becoming Master Beekeepers. This is a long process, takes several years to accomplish, our goal by 202
Marie Jaegers
I grew up on a small family farm. Pledging never to be a farmer, but knowing I wanted an education beyond high school. The military had a program called The GI Bill. So I joined the US Army. Once my tour was over I took my GI Bill and ran. I ran straight to MSU.
I started in the horticulture industry with a shovel, I worked my way up into positions in retail, management, and finally my favorite, research. Through those years I received my Bachelors in Horticulture. I use my knowledge in horticulture to help bring bee friendly food plants to their farm. She has taken the “Certified Pollinator Champion” course through Michigan State University, completing the course with a 98%.
In that same time period I had 2 wonderful kids and a divorce. Then I met Tom. After a few years of learning and finding a wonder program, Heroes to Hives, we are beekeepers. That’s right I am a farmer and loving it.
Tom Kusar
I was born in Chicago on the northwest side into a large family (6th of 7 children) both my parent instilled the value of hard work and selflessness. They bought land in Wisconsin and we kids helped build over the years a small barn, garage, small greenhouse, and eventually a home. I enlisted in the US Marine Corps right after high school and served 5years.
Shortly after I was discharged I lost my father to cancer. I began taking interest in gardening and small scale farming. I meet Marie who had a passion for plants in general and began a dream of a small garden store. Then we lost my mother and the land my parents bought. Since Marie had some roots in Michigan we decided to move there and start planning our future and farm there.
Candy.
We are a two-person operation. But Candy “helps” in the office. She is a great paper weight. Protecting anything we print ensuring it does not go anywhere until we need it. She is always close by.
Frankie.
I am the biggest Mommas boy. If you see her I am very close by, usually touching her.
When someone comes to the door I will react in one of two ways. First if a man is there I will glare at you asking, Who are you, Why are you here, this is my house, you can leave now. Second way, if you are a woman I will meow at you, flop down in front of, and roll over asking you to PLEASEEEEE rub my belly.
We unfortunately lost Frank in March 2020. He is greatly missed.
How It Started
Heroes to Hives
Tom had said he wanted to become a beekeeper for a few years. Marie told him ok but you need to learn how. “It can’t be that easy or everyone would be doing it.” He read everything he could about honey bees, taking a few seminars too. Then in 2016 they found a program called Heroes to Hives. Hives is a 9-month beginning beekeeping education course designed to train Service Members through a in person classes that is coupled with on-ground training opportunities and to develop a community of support with other veterans. Since 2015, Heroes to Hives has trained over 8,200 Service Members and their dependents from all over the world.
Tom took the class in 2017 and Marie has taken the class as well since then. They both have learned an abundant amount through this program.
Eye on the Goal
We have been beekeepers for 7 years. We have taken advance beekeeping courses to learn overwintering nucs, rearing queens, and several methods of making splits from our hives. We have also taken classes in Royal Jelly Production, harvesting Pollen, harvesting and processing Propolis. We taught ourselves about Infused and Creamed Honey.
As we learn more about our honey bees and what they are capable of and what we can do, we add to our list of products. Such as one thing we are working on is Varietal Honey. This honey that is from a specific crop. We are in the process of learning Melissopalynology. This is the study of pollen in honey. So we can ensure that is what crop the honey bees pollenated.
What makes our honey unique?
Honey is like a fine wine and it is an expression of a year that is a captured moment in time.
We do not mix our Apiary Honey. This leads to a high quality honey that has unique flavors depending on the forage, area, harvest and year. This does require more attention and labor. We feel the uniqueness of our circumstances it is more than worth it,
A Couple Organization We are Members
Heroes to Hives
There have been a few changes over the years. Not just the Logo. Heroes to Hives is a 9-month beginning beekeeping education course designed to train Service Members through a free online training program that is coupled with on-ground training opportunities (in select States) and to develop a community of support with other veterans. Since 2015, Heroes to Hives has trained over 11,000 Service Members and their dependents from all over the world.
Their Mission: Protect Our Nation’s Food Security and Support the Success of Our Fellow Service Members
Farm Veteran Coalition
Yes as beekeepers we are farmers. We found the FVC and became member in 2015. We are proud to have received grant funding from their Fellowship and part of their Home Grown by Heroes program.
The Mission of Farmer Veteran Coalition is Mobilizing Veterans to Feed America
We cultivate a new generation of farmers and food leaders, and develop viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities. We believe that veterans possess the unique skills and character needed to strengthen rural communities and create sustainable food systems. We believe that agriculture offers purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits.
Home Grown By Heroes Certified
The label serves to inform consumers that agricultural products donning the logo were produced by U.S. military veterans. Additionally, farms and agricultural businesses displaying the logo denotes a Homegrown By Heroes-certified operation.
Michigan Beekeepers Association
Michigan Beekeepers Association member since 2017
A Few More Things
T.M.K. Werk
Tom enjoys wood working. This includes wood turning. Using his laser to etch and cut.
Some of his wood turnings: Pens, Bowls, Ornaments, and more. Of various colors, wood and patterns. With his laser he burns(etching) wood Personalizing pens and ornaments, and more
Marie enjoys crocheting lace. Such as Doilies, Christmas Ornaments, Wall Hangings, and more. In various colors and patterns, cotton crochet thread
As we also learn more about our crafts, we add them to our product line as well.
We are Handmade ONLY. (No Vintage, No Mass-Produced, No Drop-shipping, and No Production Partners)
M.T. Fields
M.T. Fields is a small sustainable apiary specializing in rare and hard to find hive products produced from an U.S. apiary. Such as fresh Royal Jelly for those that practice Alternative Medicines using Apitherapy. Our products are fresh, clean, raw and pure. We will be adding other hive products in the near future such as Propolis, Pollen, and Apitoxin (Bee Venom). Our products are unfiltered, raw, pure and clean
We use these in other product such as creams and balms. We do extensive research before releasing a product. We are still learning. Check out our lip balm.