Is your honey organic?
Current USDA “Certified Organic” labeling rules require us to prove that every flower the bees feed on is organic, which is simply not feasible. We do use sustainable organic practices, and never use anything on the bees that we wouldn’t use on ourselves.
One of the leading contributors to the declining honeybee population is a parasitic mite (Varroa destructor) which attaches itself to young honeybees and feeds on them. A successful colony requires managing those mites somehow. We use a pest management strategy that exposes the bees to a naturally occurring miticide called Formic Acid. Many plants and animals make Formic Acid naturally (ants, honeybees, raspberries, pineapples, onions, and carrots to name a few) and we believe it to be the safest option available at this time. As an added layer of protection, treatments are applied only during time periods where there is no honey in the hive.
Is your honey raw? (What is raw honey?)
Yes! Our honey is never heated or processed, and we filter to 1875 microns using gravity not pressure (like a metal coffee filter – but bigger). This allows us to remove impurities but keep proteins and local pollen.
My honey is thick and crystallized – is there anything I can do?
Crystallization is a natural occurrence with raw honey, but it is easy to fix. Just let your honey bottle soak in a mug of warm water until the crystallization goes away. You may have to repeat this from time to time. Some honey will crystallize faster than others, but all honey can crystallize.
Can I buy in person / pay in cash?
Absolutely! During the growing season, we keep a self-service stand stocked at the end of the drive. The stand accepts cash, VenMo (@BuzzOffOhio), or PayPal (sales@buzzoff.biz). Alternatively, you can contact us to arrange a convenient pickup time. We do accept credit cards at farmers markets and shows, but not at the self-service stand.
What is the shelf life? (Does honey expire?)
Honey does not spoil and has an indefinite shelf life. You do not need to refrigerate honey, it can be stored at room temperature. You may notice some crystallization if it sits for too long, but that is easy to fix (see above).
Are you registered with ODA?
Yes, we are registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, under 2026 Apiary Certificate #API-2026-1248 and Beekeeper Identification #1248.
You label your honey with specific flowers, how do you know what is in it?
The bees will naturally prioritize close flowers, and flowers with the most nectar. By keeping an eye on what has been in bloom close to us, and timing when we remove the honey, we can make some assumptions about the primary source of the honey. There will always be a blend of secondary sources, but the primary source will make up the majority of the flavor profile.