Dr. Adam Joseph Ingrao

Dr. Adam J. Ingrao is an entomologist, educator, and national advocate for honey bees, sustainable agriculture, and nature's well-being. With more than 30 years in sustainable agriculture and nearly two decades working professionally with honey bees, he has built a career at the intersection of science, stewardship, and service. Dr. Ingrao earned his BS in Agriculture and Plant Science from Cal Poly and PhD in Entomology from Michigan State University and is widely recognized for advancing the use of beneficial insects—particularly honey bees and natural enemies—to strengthen agroecosystems and deliver essential ecosystem services.

Beyond production agriculture, Dr. Ingrao is a leader in nature-based and therapeutic beekeeping, exploring how meaningful engagement with honey bees supports mental health, resilience, and recovery. He is a co-developer (along with Lacey Ingrao) of the Bee Calm Bee Well program, an innovative nature-based therapy program (co-developed with the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs and the University of New Hampshire) that integrates beekeeping, mindfulness, and ecological connection to support veterans and community well-being. As Co-Founder and National Director of Heroes to Hives, the nation’s largest beekeeping education program, he has helped train tens of thousands of veterans, service members, and military families through accessible, science-driven beekeeping education.

Dr. Ingrao teaches beekeeping at Bay Mills Community College, serves as an instructor for the Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and works as an Outreach Specialist with Michigan Food and Farming Systems. A prolific communicator, he has published numerous scientific and policy papers, written for Bee Culture magazine, and co-authored the textbook Honey Bee Medicine for the Veterinary Practitioner (now in its 2nd edition). His work bridges rigorous science with practical experience—demonstrating how healthy pollinators, healthy landscapes, and healthy people are deeply connected.