Beekeepers of the Year!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Mike and Dene Ryan, Hives for Heroes State Leaders in West Virginia, as the newly named West Virginia Beekeepers of the Year. This recognition reflects what so many people across the state already know: Mike and Dene consistently give their time, talent, knowledge, and energy in service to others.

Their impact reaches far beyond their own hives. They have helped host bee schools, mentor new beekeepers, support community events, create merchandise and giveaways, and bring a sense of fun and creativity to fundraising through raffles, games, auctions, and outreach. Their efforts have helped grow awareness of Hives for Heroes while raising resources that support Veterans and First Responders across the country.

Mike and Dene have also been among those helping strengthen the voice of beekeepers in West Virginia, including efforts connected to the beekeeping case now before the West Virginia Supreme Court. Whether they are teaching in a classroom, helping at an event, working alongside another organization, or standing up for the beekeeping community, they continue to show what leadership through service looks like.

When they were nominated, we said that no matter what happened, Mike and Dene were Beekeepers of the Year to us.

Now West Virginia has made it official.

This award is well deserved, but what means even more to us is the impact they continue to make on people. Their work is a perfect example of how national impact is built locally, one relationship, one community, and one hive at a time.

Congratulations, Mike and Dene Ryan, West Virginia Beekeepers of the Year. Thank you for representing Hives for Heroes with heart, creativity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to service. We are proud to have you leading the way.

People First. Bees Always.