Real Products, Real Passion: Reeder Creek Farms

Real Products, Real Passion: Reeder Creek Farms

February 18, 2022 | Member features
In the summer of 2020, Reeder Creek Farms took flight in the community of Clay Center, Kansas. After looking for a new hobby and lots of research later, Annelle Chestnut landed on beekeeping. From what started as just purchasing a few hives for fun turned into a business that provides local honey and beeswax-infused personal care items, such as lip balms and lotion bars.
 
It was Chestnut’s main goal to produce something that was beautiful, whether that was a special treat for themselves or a gift for someone special in their lives. Not only are Reeder Creek Farms’ products unique to the area, but they are high quality—two more characteristics Chestnut wanted to emphasize when she started her business.
 
The best part about owning beehives? “I’m really fascinated about their social structure,” Chestnut says. “I like to learn about their roles within their colonies and how they communicate. It’s a good lesson for how we should be as people.”
 
The biggest misconception of beekeeping, from Chestnut’s point of view, was that it is often thought that bees and production agriculture cannot go hand in hand. As someone who grew up on a fifth-generation farm and now raises bees herself, Chestnut has debunked this myth. The hives are placed strategically so that the bees will be able to have access to the wildflowers and fruit trees within the farms’ pastures.
 
Ever since Reeder Creek Farms joined the From the Land of Kansas program, Chestnut was quick to see the value within her operation’s membership. “Not only is my young business able to benefit from the items the program offers, but I am able to work with real people,” Chestnut says. “And of course, the program promotes Kansas agriculture.”
 
If you’re looking for items that are sweeter than honey for yourself or to share with friends, "bee" sure to visit Reeder Creek Farms’ website, along with their Facebook and Instagram pages. 

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