Hives for Heroes Featured in Norway’s Leading Beekeeping Magazine
Hives for Heroes is proud to be featured in the latest issue of Birøkteren, Norway’s leading beekeeping magazine and the official publication of the Norwegian Beekeepers’ Association. (https://norbi.no/bladet-birokteren/)
Appearing across pages 23–25, the article introduces Hives for Heroes to beekeepers, advisers, commercial honey producers and agricultural leaders throughout Norway. This recognition represents an important step in sharing our mission with the international beekeeping community and building relationships that may support our future work in Europe.
From a Difficult Transition to a National Movement
Written by Birøkteren editor Astrid Bjerke Lund, the article shares the story of Hives for Heroes founder and CEO Steve Jimenez, a United States Marine Corps veteran.
Following his military service, Steve experienced a difficult transition marked by post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression. In 2018, a friend introduced him to beekeeping. Working with the bees offered an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with nature and rediscover a sense of purpose.
That experience became the beginning of Hives for Heroes.
What started with one veteran and one hive has grown into a nationwide organization serving more than 12,000 members across all 50 states. Through beekeeping, mentorship and community, Hives for Heroes helps Service Members, Veterans and First Responders build meaningful relationships and continue serving alongside others.
The Power of the NewBEE Mentorship Model
The article highlights the Hives for Heroes NewBEE model, which connects newer beekeepers with experienced mentors in their communities.
During the first year, a NewBEE learns alongside a mentor, gaining practical experience without the immediate expense or pressure of managing a hive alone. As participants develop their knowledge and confidence, they can establish their own apiaries, pursue educational and scholarship opportunities and eventually mentor the next person entering the program.
This cycle creates something much larger than beekeeping education. It builds connection, responsibility and a renewed sense of belonging.
The structure of a honey bee colony offers a fitting reflection of that mission. Bees work together, support the health of the colony and contribute toward a shared purpose. Hives for Heroes brings those same principles into its community: people supporting one another, sharing knowledge and serving something greater than themselves.
Building a Bridge Between the United States and Europe
The feature also recognizes Peder Aaserud, Hives for Heroes’ European ambassador and a commercial mentor who is helping the organization explore opportunities beyond the United States.
Peder brings nearly two decades of experience building and scaling companies in Norway and internationally. His background includes work with Beefutures, a Norwegian technology company known for developing smart beehive solutions.
Today, he manages five colonies across two apiaries in Asker, Norway, and remains closely connected to the Norwegian beekeeping community.
Peder describes beekeeping as an opportunity to step away from the constant demands of professional life. The practice requires patience, steady breathing and complete attention to the colony. It also creates an important reason to spend time outside and connect with other people.
As he explains in the article, beekeeping can help people move “from fear to fascination” while rediscovering calm, direction and a connection to the natural world.
International Recognition With Lasting Potential
Birøkteren is distributed to members of the Norwegian Beekeepers’ Association and is widely read throughout Norway’s close-knit beekeeping sector. Its audience includes hobbyists, commercial producers, educators, advisers and individuals working with agriculture and public institutions.
Being featured in this respected publication gives Hives for Heroes valuable visibility and credibility as we begin forming new relationships throughout Europe.
Our immediate focus remains serving members across the United States. At the same time, the need for connection, purpose and community does not stop at national borders. Veterans, first responders and others who have served in demanding professions exist in every country—and many can benefit from the relationships and shared purpose found through beekeeping.
We are grateful to Astrid Bjerke Lund and Birøkteren for sharing this story, to the Norwegian Beekeepers’ Association for welcoming our mission into its community and to Peder Aaserud for helping build a bridge between beekeepers in Norway and the United States.
This recognition is about more than an article. It is another sign that a simple but powerful idea can travel across borders:
When people come together around the hive, connection grows, purpose returns and lives can change.
Join the Mission
Hives for Heroes welcomes Service Members, Veterans and First Responders as NewBEEs, as well as experienced civilian and veteran beekeepers who want to serve as mentors.
- Join the community at HivesForHeroes.org
- Become a NewBEE or volunteer mentor
- Support the mission through a donation
- Purchase Heroes Honey to help create opportunities for our nation’s heroes
- Connect with Hives for Heroes as we explore future partnerships in Europe
People first. Bees always.
Hives for Heroes is a connection and beekeeping mentorship organization, not a mental health treatment provider. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis in the United States should call or text 988 or contact a qualified healthcare professional.