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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 20, 2012.

The honey moves up the hill

Update #3 · Sep 9, 2012 · comment

Our story of the honey harvest continues. As you saw in our first update a helpful mother and brother are pulling the honey out of the hives, brushing off the bees and putting them into new boxes. While the paterfamilias (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j5MFIwU3dI :-) is taking the mostly-bee-free boxes up the hill for Natalie to extract. Each hive can have upwards of four of the honey boxes, each of them weighing about fifty pounds. It almost always seems like it is a hot day when we all have the free time to work together.

It is a long and arduous job and takes the better part of two days to bring the honey up the hill. And we confess, it is mostly due to the poor physical endurance of the parties involved, but honey boxes are heavy. Once done though, the boxes form two tall towers of yellow boxes within our kitchen.  Natalie takes out each frame and uses a knife to cut off the wax caps and puts the frame into the extractor to spin the honey out.

Try as we might, everything gets sticky. A little bit of honey goes a very long way if it gets tracked on your shoes. It is impossible not to loose a drip or two as it moves between uncapping and extracting and before long the kitchen floor has an overall tackiness to it. Having your support will allow us to buy dedicated equipment that can be housed in our basement into what we will devote as a full time honey production room. We can't wait!

We thank you for looking at and backing this project!  Our project is now 30% funded!  With your help, spreading the word and pledging, the labor of doing the actual extraction will be reduced. The ability to expand our number of hives will be increased and our customers will better be able to buy our products. With your help, it will be a sweet deal indeed!

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264
Backers
$9,136
pledged of $6,370 goal
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seconds to go

Funding period
Aug 21, 2012 - Sep 20, 2012 (30 days)

  • Pledge $5 or more

    23 backers

    Thank you for supporting our project! As a token of our appreciation we will send a Thank You Postcard signed by Natalie! You will also be added to our Mailing List!

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    17 backers

    Our honey is a savory addition to baked goods, main dishes, and treats! In addition to sending out our sweet Thank You Postcard and being placed on our Mailing List, you will receive an emailed collection of our favorite Honey Recipes!

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $15 or more

    8 backers

    Our little “ladies” collect nectar from the numerous wildflowers located around our neighborhood and the Chippewa Valley. We would like to spread the joy with you by sending a packet of Wildflower Seeds. Plant them around your home to attract your own honey bees! You will also receive our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, and you will be placed on our Mailing List. Mailing cost included.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $25 or more

    105 backers

    Now for some yummy treats! We are excited to share our delicious honey with you! You will receive a 5 ounce Honey Bear and our homemade Lip Balm. Mouthwatering treats to soothe the lips and stimulate the palate! You will also receive our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List. Mailing cost included.

    Estimated delivery: Oct 2012
  • Pledge $40 or more

    34 backers

    Bigger is better! You will receive a One pound Bottle of our delicious Honey and our homemade Lip Balm. You will also receive our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List. Mailing cost included. Note: Although we usually use only glass bottles to package our honey, for mailing purposes we will be using a plastic bottle. If you are located nearby, you are very welcome to come meet the beekeeper and pick up your rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    14 backers All gone!

    Comb is honey in its purest form. It does not undergo any processing other than to be hand-cut from the frame and joined with liquid honey in a one pound jar. Been wanting to see what comb honey is all about or discovered that it is hard to find? Many beekeepers no longer offer this rare treat! You will receive a One pound Jar of our Comb Honey and our homemade Lip Balm. Also included is our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List. Mailing cost included. Note: Although we usually use glass bottles, for mailing purposes we will be using a plastic box. If you are located nearby, you are very welcome to come meet the beekeeper and pick up your rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $55 or more

    20 backers

    We immediately sold out of our comb honey. So, we will make you a deal. We will send you a honey bear to tide you over until spring. It will give you a tease of what is to come. Then as early as we can next year we will send you our freshest most pure comb honey. It does not undergo any processing other than to be hand-cut from the frame and joined with liquid honey in a one pound jar. Been wanting to see what comb honey is all about or discovered that it is hard to find? Many beekeepers no longer offer this rare treat! You will receive a One pound Jar of our Comb Honey and our homemade Lip Balm. Also included is our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List. Mailing cost included. Note: Although we usually use glass bottles, for mailing purposes we will be using a plastic box. If you are located nearby, you are very welcome to come meet the beekeeper and pick up your rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Sep 2013
  • Pledge $75 or more

    1 backer

    Farmers Markets and produce stands are a great resource for obtaining locally grown fresh foods. Grab our canvas bag and head out on a gustatory adventure! We are excited to offer you a Canvas Tote Bag personalized with The West Hill Honey Company logo emblazoned on the front! Also included is our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List. Mailing cost included.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $100 or more

    15 backers

    The seasons and location of the hives greatly influence the essence of the honey. Our late springtime yield vastly differs in flavor and hue from the Autumn harvest. Our town honey is a floral bouquet while the country honey is richer and darker in color. Wouldn't it be fun to explore these subtle differences in aroma and taste? We will send you four One Pound Bottles from each of our locations and intervals of extraction. Also included is our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List. Mailing cost included. Note: Although we usually use glass bottles, for mailing purposes we will be using a plastic bottle. If you are located nearby, you are very welcome to come meet the beekeeper and pick up your rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $200 or more

    1 backer

    Curious about what really goes on in a hive? Are you a teacher or have inquisitive family or friends? Got questions? We have answers! Gather round the computer screen and we will dive into one of our hives and give a tour via Skype. This 1-2 hour Lesson can be tailored to suit your curiosity. Also included is our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $250 or more

    0 backers

    For this reward we will go beyond virtual tours and get into the action! You will be suited up and given a live tour of our beekeeping operation. We will open up the hives and see what really goes on behind the scenes! Upon conclusion of the tour we will send you home with a one pound bottle of honey! Also included is our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $350 or more

    0 backers

    Adopt a Hive! Your name will be placed on a hive in the form of a plaque and during next years season you will be sent frequent reports on how your ladies are doing! At the end we will also send you a one pound bottle of Honey from your hive! Also included is our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List. Note: Although we usually use glass bottles, for mailing purposes we will be using a plastic bottle. If you are located nearby, you are very welcome to come meet the beekeeper and pick up your rewards!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
  • Pledge $500 or more

    0 backers

    Fascinated with the idea of having your own bees? It is very exciting to taste the honey collected from your own neighborhood! Not to mention personally assisting in the pollination of nearby gardens and fields. We will purchase and setup a hive just for you! You will host a hive on your property for at least one season and receive ten pounds of the honey harvested from your hive! Also included is our sweet Thank You Postcard, collection of savory Honey Recipes, packet of Wildflower Seeds, and you will be placed on our Mailing List. Note: You must be located within 30 miles of Chippewa Falls for our ease of regular maintenance. The hive is owned by West Hill Honey and must be returned on demand after one season. Longer stays can be negotiated.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012