New sit-down beehives at Mizzou’s Jefferson Farm benefit veterans, others

By Linda Geist

Sept. 28, 2026
Photo by Karen Funkenbusch

New wheelchair-accessible beehives at the University of Missouri’s Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia are expanding access to Missouri Heroes to Hives, a free program that uses beekeeping to support veteran wellness, build community and provide hands-on agricultural education.

The new AZ beehives, named for their inventor, Slovenian beekeeper Anton Žnideršic, are designed to make that experience more accessible, said MU Extension assistant professor Karen Funkenbusch, who leads Heroes to Hives of Missouri. Unlike traditional hives that require beekeepers to lift and move heavy boxes, the accessible designs allow participants to work with bees from a seated position, removing physical barriers while preserving the hands-on experience at the heart of the program.

“By incorporating accessible Slovenian-style beehives into Heroes to Hives programs, extension workshops and MU’s five demonstration apiaries across the state, Missouri communities can expand who gets to participate in beekeeping,” Funkenbusch said.

AZ hives are housed in cabinets with frames that slide horizontally on metal rails, much like books on a shelf or files in a cabinet.

In Missouri, Heroes to Hives and MU Extension beekeeping education emphasize skill-building, safety and long-term sustainability, making ergonomic hive designs an important consideration, she said.

“These setups offer a calm, focused environment that can help with PTSD, anxiety and stress while fostering a sense of purpose and community,” Funkenbusch said.

Since its launch in Missouri in 2021, Heroes to Hives has enrolled more than 1,700 veterans, providing participants with education in beekeeping, agricultural literacy and wellness practices.

“Heroes to Hives addresses multiple critical needs among Missouri veterans,” Funkenbusch said.

More than 60% of participants entered the program with a service-connected disability, ranging from physical limitations to post-traumatic stress disorder, she said.