Hobby Hive to Sweet Life
How a Leavenworth couple is collaborating with other local entrepreneurs to educate the public about sustainable and high-quality, organic farm products.
By Tory Blosser, FreeState Communications Intern
What began as a small hobby in 2012 quickly grew into a successful and sustainable business by 2022 for a couple located on a farm in Northeast Kansas.
For owners of Next to Nature Farm, Chad and Megan Gilliland, it’s local, handmade, economically friendly and sustainable products that drive them to do what they love.
“We moved here in 2009,” Chad said. “What started off as a couple beehives to keep the apple trees pollinated, turned into over 88 hives today.”
Next to Nature Farm officially opened to the public in May of 2020. In 2021, the farm sold 577 gallons of honey and are on track to surpass that number by the end of this year.
“Honey is by far our biggest seller,” Megan said.
Hive to Home
Visitors and those who are interested in the honey production process can register for their newly offered “Bee to Bottle” tour, a fun educational experience. During the 2-hour experience, participants learn about bees and caring for a hive, the extraction of honey, and the packaging. At the end a bottle of sweet, personally extracted honey makes the trip home.
“We create experiences for people,” Megan said. “We want to give people something to do when they come out here.”
The products sold at the storefront range from hive products such as: raw honey, creamed honey, honey sticks and beeswax skin care products to organic candles and handmade items like lotion and soap bars sourced from other local-farm vendors.
“Another component of our business model is supporting other small businesses,” Chad said. “We have a state-certified commercial kitchen we rent out as space for other entrepreneurs that want to take their product to market.”
Agritourism
Next to Nature Farm is one of over 30 pit-stops on this year’s annual Kaw Valley Farm Tour. Visitors have the chance to get an up-close experience by taste testing and learning about the detailed work of local farms and wineries in the Kaw Valley area.
Next to Nature is open for visitors on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. If you can’t make it into the farm, products can also be found at surrounding farmers markets located in Tonganoxie, Bonner Springs, Atchison and Lenexa.
For more information about the farm and available products, tours and experiences visit nextonaturefarm.com or follow their Facebook page to stay up to date on upcoming events.
Tory Blosser is currently serving as the communications intern for FreeState Electric Cooperative. Blosser is a student at the University of Kansas majoring in strategic communications.