N.D. Beekeepers Featured In National ‘Who Does Your Honey Come From’ Drive
Three North Dakota beekeeping operations are being featured in a national drive for Americans to know who their honey comes from. Amongst its 200+ members, Sioux Honey Association Co-op selected Mason Maxwell and Josh Freeman of Turtle Lake and the Nissens of Minot to be faces of the “Who Does Your Honey Come From” campaign, which started December 17, 2018.
Will Nissen
Matt Nissen
Mason Maxwell
Josh Freeman
“It’s not just where your honey comes from that matters. It’s who,” said Rob Buhmann, chair of the Sioux Honey Board. “Sioux Honey comes from the Nissens, the Maxwells and the Freemans who are producing top-notch North Dakota honey. These families are running solid operations in the largest honey-producing state in the nation and they are committed to making only the highest quality product.”
Beyond introducing local beekeepers through the campaign, the co-op is advocating for consumers to look at the label when buying honey, know who and where it comes from, and keep an eye out for the “Grade A” and “Product of the U.S.A.” designations. “Grade A” is the highest grade awarded by the UDSA and “Product of the U.S.A.” is a guarantee of the country of origin. Combined, the labels confirm honey is pure, with nothing added, and of the highest quality, according to Buhmann.
“From the beginning to the end, the honey has been produced by us, processed by us and Sioux Honey finishes the process,” said Maxwell of Thomas Honey in Turtle Lake.
Along with Five Star Honey and Josh Freeman, Maxwell and his son appear in the nationwide ad which highlights the challenges of beekeeping and the persevering nature of America’s beekeepers.
Five Star Honey is a family-run business as well, named after Will Nissen, his wife Peggy, and their three boys – Matt, Levi and Evan. Both Will and Matt appear several times in the ad. All members of the Nissen family are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of Five Star Honey.
“I think my sons can see that there’s a future in bees, and it’s a good, solid future,” said Will Nissen.
As a co-op, not a corporation, Sioux Honey Association was formed to operate based on what’s best for its beekeepers, its honey and its customers. Established in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1921, the co-op distributes pure, “Product of the U.S.A.,” Grade A honey to retailers nationwide on behalf of its 200+ independent beekeeper members. From classic Sue Bee® honey to unfiltered Aunt Sue’s® honey, the co-op has a honey for every preference and use.
