HONEY CO.

HAS FLORIDA BUZZING, SWEET SUCCESS IN A COMMUNITY FOCUSED PARTNERSHIP

Written by: Dale Bliss

What happens when the universe pairs an east Texas cowgirl and a Massachusetts photographer? Why not marriage, beehives and a successful small business?

Meet Glenn Johnson and Alma Johnson, life partners and co-founders of the Sarasota Honey Co., a beekeeping producer and marketer of fine honeys, learning programs and related things, also a firm employing workers with special needs.

The firm is recognized statewide for its community services, its farm-to-table products and the humanity of its founders and their team.

“We realized we are producing food and with that comes a great sense of responsibility to the people that are putting our products on their table to feed their family,” says Alma Johnson, who once had health issues directing she and Glenn to pursue organic solutions, starting with a victory garden, which evolved into the magic of bees and honey, eventually founding the Sarasota Honey Co. The firm has since expanded into sustainable gardening, equipment building and related workshops, classes, candle and soapmaking, a smart selection of homesteading tips and ideas.

Bee Persistent

Having been raised with her sisters by a mother surviving polio while working whatever jobs she could find and with the support of her stay-at-home grandmother, Alma Johnson was brought up to be happy helping others.

Alma at a young age was diagnosed with a learning disability. Even then Alma’s mother instilled in her daughter that she was not to listen to anyone that told her she could not, but to believe that she could … and to go after her dream. And go after it, she did.

Sarasota Honey Co. harvests in Sarasota and Manatee counties, which includes not only its honey but from other beekeepers, as well.

Before beekeeping and after working with Cirque du Soleil, Alma provided a day stop to those with special needs. After a cancer diagnosis, she was drawn to organics and local food, which influenced her “victory garden” project—her grandmother, who grew these kinds of gardens during World War II, had inspired that project. A victory garden kept home-front families fed and created a spirited morale boost, it is reported of those stark times of rationing. That prompted a healthier diet and lifestyle, and finally in the absence of finding enough bees to pollinate their organic garden, to hand pollination. The vegetables were great but did not produce an abundance. Remembering that her grandmother had used bees in her garden, she had a “light bulb” moment, Alma says, contacting a commercial owner to set some hives in her garden. “There are times in life,” Alma adds, “that you cannot control what is happening to you, what you can control is doing something nice or being helpful to someone else in need.”

Bee Caring

Alma also soon learned that beekeeping was different than in her grandmother’s simpler times. “I started trying to gain mentorship in beekeeping,” she says. “Sarasota Honey Co. was, in part, created by combining my expansive training in beekeeping from these mentors and transitioning services for youth with special needs.”

This local beekeeper is now a certified queen breeder while keeping focus and growth in the business of genetics. Glenn is a beekeeper, marketing and retail distribution director.

Michael Luker, a Sarasota Honey Co. repeat customer, says of his experience: “I really enjoy this little shop! It gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling, like a little bee. They have quite a few different products and I was surprised when I found more than the common bee store carries. The service is wonderful.”

“Such a friendly and knowledgeable woman,” adds Annie Ellzey. “Alma shares her passion for honeybees and makes you aware and care about how important the honeybees are to our health and lifestyle.”

Sarasota Honey Co. harvests in Sarasota and Manatee counties, which includes not only its honey but from other beekeepers, as well. The firm never blends honeys, which lends to distinct flavors or strains from hives placed in cityscapes. And that ensures a diversity in honey, as well as helping the community’s gardens and natural landscapes flourish, as bees are essential in flowering plants. “Raising the bees this way helps the community and the honey through fruitful pollination,” Alma Johnson says. “We realized we are producing food and with that comes a great sense of responsibility to the people that are putting our products on their table to feed their family.”

The warm and welcoming Sarasota Honey Co. giftshop markets some of the yummiest jams, purist honeys, sauciest sauces, beer pickles, olive oils and spice mixes. Candles are made from pure honey and organic wicks. Find more information about tours, classes, farmers markets, gifts and foods at sarasotahoney.com. FCM