Our Story

Some journeys begin with a business plan.

​

Ours began with a desire to leave the land better than we found it.

​

Long before we became beekeepers, we believed that caring for the environment wasn't simply an ideal—it was a responsibility. We raised our family with an appreciation for nature, planted gardens that welcomed pollinators, and looked for small ways to make a positive difference in the world around us.

​

One person shaped those values more than anyone else.

​

Val's grandmother lived through the Great Depression, lost her mother as a young child, and quietly demonstrated a life of perseverance, humility, faith, and resourcefulness. Nothing was wasted. Everything was cared for. She found joy in creating with her hands and believed that even ordinary work, when done with care, could become something meaningful.

​

Those lessons remain at the heart of Just Iowa Honey.

​

Our beekeeping journey began in 2015 after completing Iowa's beginning beekeeping program. What started with two colonies quickly became a passion that continues to grow every season. We discovered that honey bees are remarkable teachers—revealing lessons in patience, stewardship, resilience, and the intricate balance of nature.

​

Today, our apiaries are thoughtfully managed throughout central Iowa. Rather than blending honey from multiple locations, each apiary is harvested and bottled separately whenever possible, allowing every landscape to express its own unique character. Just as wine reflects its vineyard, our honey reflects the flowers, trees, and prairies surrounding each hive.

​

Every harvest is different.

​

Every season tells a different story.

​

And every jar captures a moment in Iowa's landscape.

​

Although producing exceptional honey is our craft, our greater purpose is to foster an appreciation for the pollinators and native landscapes that make it possible. Through education, habitat restoration, and simple conversations around a kitchen table, we hope to inspire others to care for the natural world in their own meaningful way.

​

Thank you for visiting Just Iowa Honey. We're honored to share a small taste of Iowa with you and your family.

​

John & Val