ABout us
Inside Beeing is Believing
Building Opportunity Through Work
Beeing is Believing was created in Dayton, Texas to give individuals with learning differences the chance to build real skills through meaningful, hands-on work. What started as a family beekeeping effort grew into something with a much larger purpose: creating a place where people who are often overlooked for employment can learn, contribute, and take pride in what they do.
Founded in 2023 in Dayton, Texas, Beeing is Believing began as a small family effort and has grown into a hands-on program focused on building real skills through meaningful work.”
Meet Our
Board Members
Michael Hanvy
Board President
He has been a bee keeper for 3 years and counting. Having taken beginner bee classes, finding local mentors to help him with his own hives in the backyard and learning everything he can by watching videos and networking.
He is the driving force for “Beeing is Believing”. He has spent countless hours creating hive stands, bee boxes, and landscaping. He is full of creativity for the project whatever that may be.
Using the knowledge he has on equipment he often rents everything from scissor lifts to excavators and does the heavy lifting himself.
Helen King
Vice President
Helen has run her own cleaning business “B Clean” for twenty years. She brings a wealth of knowledge on the necessities of running a business and advices on what needs to be done now and what can wait.
She has lived in Dayton, Texas her whole life. Her connections to people and organizations has helped us break into the community to accomplish our mission. She leads the way with finding support and volunteers.
Known mostly as the Board Member we can count on in a pinch. She has often re-arranged her day to meet the demands of “Beeing is Believing.” She has met with employees, helped with planting, and creating the image.
A life long passion for those that just do life differently. She understands that everyone comes with a set of skills and deficits. She sees the can do when others see the impossibilities. Encouraging and determined, she does it all.
Gregory A Eicholz
Treasurer
I graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Physical Education and a Math Minor with coaching endorsement. I spent several years as a Golf Professional, playing, and teaching all different levels of players from beginner to other golf professionals. Then I switched careers for a short time and became the Executive Assistant of Dr. Beurt SerVaas (President of City County Council Of Indianapolis). I Learned more about the business world than any PGA business school could have taught me. My last 12 years have been spent teaching math and Science to 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , and 6 th graders. In my spare time my wife and I have grown to love farming and gardening, we have raised chickens, ducks, cows, different fruit trees, vegetable gardens and have experimented with bees. After retirement, we will still be working the farm. It is our true love!, and enjoy teaching others what we have learned. Beeing is Believing gives us a chance to do that. Educating the future farmers and Bee Keepers!
Shawn Eicholz
Horticulturist
My grandparents had a farm with cows, chickens, a quarter acre garden, and fruit trees. When I was diagnosed with lupus as a teenager I got very sick on the medications and doctors told me that I would have to try alternatives for pain management and immune system support.
I had to go with herbs and nutrition to manage it all. I started doing some research and then put it into practice. When friends and family began to notice my improvements, they came to me for help and counseling.
Then I noticed the trends of supplements and buying organic. Both of which are expensive. Yet, I still needed these herbs and a healthy clean diet. My research then took a turn backwards. I went back to the beginning. I found the plants that I needed to grow myself and sustainable living similar to my grandparents but with more intent than they ever put into it.
My grandpa had bees. He would put on the suit and I would go with him wearing the everyday clothes I always wore. These trips were always during the summer so shorts, a halter top and flip flops it was. Grandpa called me a “bee whisperer.” My favorite part was breaking off some of the comb and chewing it until all the honey was out of it, but it still tasted so good.
On my homestead, I’m creating a food forest and no food forest is complete without bees. My food forest and gardens are my peace, sanctuary and sanity. Shawn is not a part of the board but she is a huge part of the business. We aspire to be able to hire her full-time.
Rachel Roland
Secretary
Hi, I’m Rachel, the Board Secretary for “Beeing is Believing”. I’m deeply passionate about serving individuals who are often overlooked and creating meaningful opportunities that empower them to grow, gain confidence, and thrive. With a background in education and student support, I’m committed to building inclusive spaces where people feel valued and supported. I believe in the power of community, hands-on learning, and access to real-world experiences to create lasting impact. Through my work with “Beeing is Believing”, I’m proud to help expand opportunities that foster growth, independence, and purpose.
Aniya Smith
Employee Representative
Hello, my name is Aniya. I am a current student at the University of St. Thomas and serve as the employee representative for “Beeing is Believing”. I enjoy being part of the apiary and watching it grow.
“Not everyone learns the same way, but everyone deserves the chance to work, contribute, and grow. With the right structure and hands-on experience, progress becomes visible and confidence begins to take shape.”
How It Became More Than Beekeeping
The foundation of Beeing is Believing comes from the work of Heather and Michael Hanvy. Heather is a certified diagnostician with more than a decade of experience working with students and adults with learning differences. Through her years in education, she saw how many capable individuals struggled to fit into traditional classrooms and office jobs, even though they had creativity, work ethic, and the ability to thrive in the right setting.
Michael brought the hands-on side. With years of experience working outdoors, building, and managing projects, he developed a strong interest in beekeeping on the family’s property in Dayton. When students were given the opportunity to help with honey harvesting, hive preparation, and garden work, it became clear that this was more than a seasonal project. It was a real path forward.
A Different Kind of Opportunity
HANDS-ON TRAINING
Participants take part in beekeeping, hive building, gardening, and honey harvesting, gaining practical experience from start to finish in a real working environment.
LEARNING BY DOING
Instead of traditional settings, this program focuses on learning through action. This approach helps individuals build confidence, responsibility, and skills in a way that works for them.
PURPOSE & IMPACT
Based in Dayton, Texas, the program creates meaningful opportunities where individuals can grow, contribute, and build confidence through real, structured work.
Every part of this program is designed to turn effort into visible progress. With the right structure and support, growth becomes something you can actually see and feel.
