In honor of Veterans Day, we would like to honor an extraordinary Spartan who has demonstrated courage both in and out of the military. His inventive program, Heroes to Hives, proves that unexpected combinations—like entomology and veterans—can be the most rewarding.
Adam Ingrao, a fourth generation Army soldier who hails from California, serves as the veteran liaison specialist for Michigan State University Extension. He earned his Ph.D. in Entomology this past spring from the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. While completing his graduate studies, he focused his research on pest control for asparagus, and often relaxed in the 4-H Gardens and Lewis Arboretum. Ingrao believes that the university offers unparalleled support and resources for all Spartans, stating that “[MSU has] supported my ideas and outreach efforts to veterans in ways that could have never been possible at a smaller university.”
When Ingrao left the military, he used beekeeping as a way to help transition to his new daily life. In his eyes, beekeeping is another form of service, as the pollination bees provide is crucial to the agricultural success of the country. He knew that other veterans could benefit from beekeeping, and thus Heroes to Hives was created. Ingrao describes the program as “a nine-month beekeeping education program for military veterans and their spouses… they go through everything from basic biology to management all the way to overwintering practices.” Moving forward, he would love to further develop the online portion of the program; ultimately, he hopes to expand the full, in-person program at other universities across the United States.
The program is just one of the offerings for veterans through MSU Extension. Ingrao is committed to being a ‘one stop shop,’ consistently providing the individualized support that they need. He believes the best way to support veterans is to “recognize their sacrifice and translate that recognition into concrete support.” Students, staff, and alumni can all help to support veterans in unique, but equally important, ways. Ingrao encourages Spartans to befriend local veterans, participate in relevant philanthropic and community services opportunities, and assist them with professional development.
The MSU Alumni Office would like to extend our sincerest thank you to Adam, along with our other Spartan veterans, and all of the other brave men and women who have served our country. We encourage you to consider how you can help to support veterans and their families throughout the year.
More buzz about this program:
- Read more about Adam Ingrao from MSU Extension ›
- Read more from MSUToday ›
- In the Field podcast episode ›
- CrowdPower Support ›
Originally published November 2018. Updated October 2021.
Paula Davenport