Indiana Honey and Maple Syrup Producers Are a Sweet Resource

In partnership with: Indiana State Department of Agriculture

When you’re craving sugar, there are many choices: a can of soda, a frosted doughnut, a chocolate bar, a bowl of ice cream and more. But Indiana honey and maple syrup producers offer a range of delicious products that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

“Honey is something everyone should include in their diet,” says Tracy Hunter, owner of Hunter’s Honey Farm in Martinsville. “It’s not just a sugar; it’s a nutrient. It contains more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which can provide immune system and sleep support. Bee pollen is actually the most nutritious food on earth, with
96 nutrients and more amino acids than red meat. For this reason, honey is a healthy alternative to processed sweeteners.”

Hunter knows what he’s talking about. A third-generation beekeeper and an educator, he got his first beehive when he was 14. Now retired from teaching high school science, Hunter and his wife, Christina, produce a wide range of honey products from their farm’s 1,000 hives, each of which can be home to up to 80,000 bees. Add in the countless visitors Hunter’s Honey Farm welcomes for tours and tastings each year, and it is a place buzzing with activity.

That’s true across the state as the industry, which includes hobbyists and commercial beekeepers, grows. 

See more: Indiana Specialty Crops Diversify the State’s Agriculture Industry

Pollinating Ideas

Mike Gerig began as a hobbyist in the early 2000s and has developed that interest into a growing honey and maple syrup operation. Today, his business, Dragonwood, provides a variety of products from the hundreds of hives and thousands of syrup taps he has in central Indiana.

Gerig’s portfolio of products includes themed collections of infused honeys and syrups including seasonal collections, spiced, boozy and more, each with their own sampler box made for gifting or trying out a bunch of flavors at once.

“The honeybee is the only insect that provides food for humans. I encourage people to buy honey from a local beekeeper who can share with them not just a great Indiana product, but knowledge about this amazing insect and its importance to agriculture.”

– Tracy Hunter, Hunter’s Honey Farm owner

“I am proud to be in the business of producing two natural food sugars from natural lands,” Gerig says. “Our natural sugars are produced on woodlands and restored prairies, which also provides a home for bees, squirrels, insects and wildlife. We’re building a successful business while caring for the environment, and that’s very satisfying.”

It’s also hard work. 

“Keeping bees alive can be challenging and expensive,” Hunter says. “In the mid-1980s, we began having problems with viruses, mites and beetles.” 

A decline in the bee population has implications not only for honey production but also for food supply since nearly one-third of other food crops, including blueberries, strawberries and other fresh produce, rely on bee pollination. Hunter’s and Gerig’s dedication to the bees supports not only their own operations, but production far and wide. 

Hunter explains that he recently loaded 120 hives on a flatbed truck and drove them to a farm to pollinate a field of cucumbers, which would then be made into pickles. He has also moved some of his bees to Florida and California to be closer to floral sources that enhance honey production.

See more: Indiana Veteran-Owned Farms Provide Unique Goods

Busy as Bees Producing Indiana Honey and Syrup

Beyond tending the hives and taps and producing the honey and syrup, producers like Hunter and Gerig have the added responsibility of selling their products, which they do on-site, online and at farmers markets across the state. 

As entrepreneurs, they also look for ways to diversify, whether that’s a new honey or syrup flavor or a new product, like candles, lip balm or dog treats. Plus, they take seriously their obligation to educate consumers about the industry. Gerig also plans to launch a storefront and tours to help connect directly with his customers. 

“The honeybee is the only insect that provides food for humans,” says Hunter, who teaches a beekeeping class. “I encourage people to buy honey from a local beekeeper who can share with them not just a great Indiana product, but knowledge about this amazing insect and its importance to agriculture.” 

For more about Hunter’s Honey Farm, check out huntershoneyfarm.com, and to learn more about Dragonwood LLC, visit dragonwood.online.