What We Actually Do
Sustainability, Honestly
Not a marketing page — a running account of what we've changed, why, and what we haven't gotten to yet.
Since 2017
Zero Pesticide Sourcing
No synthetic pesticides or herbicides have been used anywhere on the property since 2017. Every batch's lab panel confirms zero residue across 200+ compounds.
Pollinator Habitat
Meadow & Riparian Buffer
Three acres are kept as permanent pollinator meadow, never mowed during bloom. A 0.4-mile riparian buffer along the creek protects water quality and habitat for native pollinators beyond our own hives.
Since 2022
Packaging Choices
We moved every jar to Type 3 amber glass in 2022, off the plastic squeeze bottles we started with. Shipping materials are compostable or recycled wherever a suitable option exists.
A Deliberate Ceiling
The 1,000+ Hive Cap
We keep exactly 1,000+ hives, by choice. Doug turned down a Portland restaurant supply contract that would have required tripling production — scaling past that would mean becoming a business instead of a farm. Read the full story in Our Story.
On Certification
Why We're Not USDA-Certified Organic
This is a deliberate choice, not an oversight. We've operated with zero synthetic pesticides since 2017 — the certification paperwork burden doesn't change anything we're actually doing on the ground, and every batch is already independently lab-verified for pesticide residue. We'd rather put that effort into the farm than the filing.
Not There Yet
What We Haven't Solved
No Carbon Accounting
We don't yet track or offset carbon emissions from shipping or operations.
No Solar, Yet
Solar for the farm's outbuildings is planned for 2026, not yet installed.
No Jar-Return Program
We don't currently have a system for customers to return and reuse empty jars.