If you listen closely on a warm day at Frog Hollow Farm, you’ll hear the steady, gentle buzz of thousands of honey bees at work. These pollinators aren’t just passing through; they’ve made our orchards their home, thanks in large part to beekeeper Kelly Knapp, founder of Miss Bee Haven Honey. Kelly has been keeping bees at our farm for nearly a decade! She currently tends to around 100 hives here, helping her bees thrive alongside our fruit trees, hedgerows, and wildflowers.

“This is a wonderful place for them,” Kelly says. “There’s so much diversity in the plants, and things bloom at different times, which means the bees have food throughout the year.”

Honey bees are more than just producers of sweet honey—they are critical players in global agriculture and natural ecosystems. By pollinating fruit trees, vegetables, and flowering plants, they help ensure healthy crops and abundant harvests. Without bees, and many other pollinators alike, the foods we rely on would become far scarcer, and ecosystems that depend on flowering plants would struggle to survive.

A Landscape Designed for Pollinators

To thrive, honey bees need an assortment of food sources throughout the year, and that’s exactly what Frog Hollow provides. Our farm is designed with pollinators in mind, including blossoming fruit trees in spring, nectar-rich wildflowers in summer, and cover crops to fill the gaps in between. “One thing that is nice about Frog Hollow is that there is a really nice variety of native plants and diverse fruit trees that serve both honey bees and native bees”, says Kelly.

This diversity keeps bees healthy as well as busy. Every flower offers its own nutritional profile—some pollen is rich in protein for brood growth, others supply essential amino acids, fats, and micronutrients. “Just like humans need a balanced diet, bees need a mix of food sources for optimal health,” Kelly explains.

In early spring, the bees flock to apricot and cherry blossoms; later in the season, the juices from fallen peaches offer a sweet August treat. And because Frog Hollow is organic and regenerative, the bees can drink from puddles, grass, or tree leaves without risk of toxins. “I can trust that the water they drink is clean,” Kelly says. “There are no toxins in the soil, and that makes a big difference for their health.” 

Balancing Bees and Biodiversity

At Frog Hollow, we know that supporting pollinators means caring for both honey bees and native species. While honey bees are vital, they can outcompete native pollinators if resources are limited. That’s why plant diversity is so important—it ensures there’s something for everyone.

In collaboration with entomologist Gordon Frankie, we’ve planted native flowers that are good for native bees as well. “Some of these flowers are too small for honey bees to get into which helps preserve the native bee populations”, Kelly says. She also limits her hive count to around 100 to keep the numbers in balance. 

Beyond the Farm

Kelly hopes more people will understand just how vital pollinators are. “All pollinators are in decline,” she says. “We need to plant more diverse flowers and stop spraying in our yards. Bees aren’t scary, they’re essential.”

At Frog Hollow, we’re proud to be a farm where bees can buzz safely, pollinate freely, and thrive alongside native pollinators like butterflies and solitary bees. Our organic and regenerative practices, combined with diverse plantings and thoughtful hive management, create a sanctuary where pollinators can flourish. The result is not only a healthy ecosystem but also honey that captures the fruit-forward essence of the orchard. 

To taste the difference yourself, order a jar of Miss Bee Haven Honey, or indulge in our Honey We Care Box, a thoughtful medley of Kelly’s golden honey, fresh organic fruit, and our handmade truffles. Perfect for treating yourself or gifting a little sweetness to someone you love.