November 11, 2025
Doc’s Healing Hives and Honey, a veteran-founded nonprofit dedicated to mentorship and community through beekeeping, established a new honey extraction facility with support from a $5,000 grant from AgGeorgia Farm Credit’s 2024 Community Mission Fund.
Founded by veteran Tim Doherty, Doc’s Healing Hives was created to help fellow veterans find healing and purpose through beekeeping. After experiencing firsthand the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, Tim discovered how working with bees could be both therapeutic and empowering. What began as a personal journey has grown into a thriving nonprofit that provides training, mentorship, and community for veterans and local beekeepers alike.
The new extraction facility provides a suitable and accessible space for local beekeepers to process their honey using an electric extractor. This equipment not only improves efficiency but also preserves the honeycomb, allowing bees to reuse it and potentially doubling honey production the following year. By sharing resources and knowledge, Doc’s Healing Hives and Honey is helping both new and experienced beekeepers thrive.
“We are excited to offer a space where local beekeepers can gather, learn, and process their honey more effectively,” said Lisa Doherty, Community Outreach for Doc’s Healing Hives and Honey. “This project strengthens honey production while also fostering mentorship and a sense of community—especially for the veterans we serve.”
AgGeorgia Farm Credit awarded $53,800 in 2024 through its Community Mission Fund to twelve nonprofit organizations across Georgia. Launched in 2023, the grant program supports projects that promote the future of agriculture and enhance the quality of life in rural communities, with grants of up to $5,000 awarded per project.
“Beekeeping plays an important role in Georgia agriculture, and we are proud to support Doc’s Healing Hives and Honey as they create opportunities for local producers and empower veterans through agriculture,” said AgGeorgia’s Marketing Director, Corey Cottle.
To learn more about AgGeorgia’s Community Mission Fund and explore past and current grant recipients, visit www.aggeorgia.com/community-mission-fund.