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Local Honey Producer
Meet the Producer |
Farm to Henhouse |
Producer Map
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Hawley Honey Farm |
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Iola, Kansas |
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In
1896, Cyrus Hawley decided that satisfying people’s
sweet tooth could be profitable. So, he tapped bee hives
by sawing a wedge out of the side of trees and cutting
out the honey. He delivered his natural, golden honey to
regular customers around Iola, Kansas. In the late
1940s, Cyrus Hawley’s son, Eldon, took over the
business. Under his leadership, the business grew until
1953 and the 100º plus temperature caused a meltdown of
his hives. At that point, Raymond took over the
business. In 1962, he bought his Dad out and today
operates the business with his wife, Madeline “Mickey,”
his daughter and son-in-law, Benita and Robert, and
their two children, Tiffany and Brittany, and his
grandson, Chris. They have grown the Hawley Honey Farm
to over 1800 colonies.
“We do all the work ourselves,” Raymond said, “from
building the bee houses, working the hives and
harvesting to processing, bottling and packaging the
honey.”
They operate from a 100-year old, five-story flour mill
in Iola. They can produce up to 18 barrels of honey per
day.
“We process
our honey just like the company did in the beginning,”
Raymond said. “And you can tell we care when you taste
our honey. It’s pure and smooth, not slick or creamy.
And there’s no bitterness or aftertaste. It has the same
health benefits it did when Cyrus Hawley cut it right
from the tree.”
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Anthony's Beehive |
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Lawrence, Kansas |
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Anthonys Beehives is a local honey operation based
out of Lawrence, Kansas. Anthony operates over 180 hives
throughout Douglas County, Kansas and plans to expand.
Anthony initially found a future in the honey business
after viewing a film in the third grade. Igniting a
passion, a year later he started cultivating honey and
started his business. What makes Anthony and his
business special is that Anthony was born with
developmental disabilities. The other thing that makes
it special is that it is truly a family affair.
Anthony’s mom, dad, and siblings are almost as busy
producing honey as are his bees. If it weren’t for
Anthony’s bees, his future career options would be
severely limited. At the age of 21, Anthony continues to
carry his business with Good Natured Family Farms Honey
Straws and Lip Balm. Anthony and his family are very
active with the Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign, attending
events and spinning honey and entertaining children with
their beehive displays. Anthony has been honored in New
York City’s NFTE’s awards ceremony as the Young
Entrepreneur of the Year.
  
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