Zach & Zoë Honey

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From Allergies to Agave: How Our Family Journey Led Us to Beekeeping

It’s one of the questions we hear most often: “How did your family get started with beekeeping?”

The simple answer is that our journey with bees began not with a business plan, but with a deep, personal need. It’s a story rooted in family, health, a major life change, and a dedication to finding natural remedies.

The Move That Changed Everything

Nearly five years ago, our family traded the suburban bustle of Montclair for the quiet, rural beauty of Hunterdon County. Settling into Kingwood Township felt like coming home—surrounded by rolling fields, wildflowers, and fresh country air. However, the move quickly presented a significant challenge for our youngest son, Zach.

Zach has battled asthma, and his seasonal allergies were always a factor. But the lush, pollen-rich environment of our new home in the Spring and Fall seasons brought an unprecedented level of discomfort. We watched helplessly as his allergic reactions significantly worsened, forcing us to constantly search for ways to provide him relief.

A Natural Remedy Discovered

Like many parents, we are inherently cautious about relying solely on prescription medications for our children. We prioritize seeking out natural, holistic treatments whenever possible. It was during this quest that we stumbled upon an age-old remedy that felt revolutionary to us: local, raw honey.

We dove into research, discovering the profound benefits of honey sourced directly from local flora. The key concept that captured our attention was immunotherapy—the idea that strategic, small exposure to an allergen can help the body build tolerance over time.

How Raw Honey Works as a Natural Shield:

Raw honey, which is honey that has not been filtered or heated (preserving its beneficial properties), naturally contains trace amounts of the very local pollen that triggers seasonal allergies. By consuming this raw, local honey daily, Zach’s body was subtly and systematically exposed to the irritants. Over time, his immune system began to become more tolerant of the pollen, resulting in a remarkable reduction in his allergic reactions.

From Curiosity to Calling

The change in Zach’s health was dramatic and undeniable. We quickly became frequent, devoted visitors to the local beekeepers, eagerly purchasing large jars of their raw, therapeutic honey.

Our visits quickly morphed from simple transactions into lengthy conversations about the magic of the hive. This ignited an intense curiosity within our entire family. Weekends that were once spent at parks were soon spent immersed in beekeeping books, studying hive structure, honey production, and the delicate life cycle of the honeybee.

We were utterly fascinated.

After many months of self-education, and with gentle encouragement from our generous beekeeping friends, we decided it was time to take the plunge. We weren’t just starting a hobby; we were committing to a new way of life—a way of life centered on health, purity, and sustainability.

Our Pledge: Pure, Raw, and Ethical Beekeeping

Our decision was firm: we would start our journey as beekeepers, but we would do it the right way, with unwavering commitment to the health of our bees and the purity of their honey.

This means a clear, non-negotiable standard for everything we do:

No Pesticides: Our bees are kept far from chemicals that compromise their health and the quality of the honey.
No Additives: We never filter, heat, or add anything to our honey. It is bottled straight from the hive, preserving all the natural pollen, enzymes, and medicinal benefits.
Ethical Stewardship: We don’t just harvest; we value, nurture, and love our bees. We prioritize the health and sustainability of the colony above all else.

This transformation—from Montclair suburbanites seeking a natural remedy to dedicated beekeepers producing PURE, RAW HONEY—has been such a wild ride. It has connected us more deeply to our land, our community, and to nature’s incredible pharmacy. And we don’t regret a single minute of it!