When Did You Start Your Business?

1989

What Made You Want To Get Into Producing Your Products?

I wanted to work at something that I enjoy and would support my family while being of benefit to the North Country Community.

What Are Your Growing / Manufacturing Practices?

I own and manage 400 to 500 hives of bees that produce Honey and which also are used to do commercial pollination for apple orchards and blueberries.

What Does Local Mean To You?

Close to where I live. Owner operated. From the St. Lawrence Valley.

What Do You Enjoy The Most About What You Do?

Working by myself, being my own boss. Doing what needs done but at my own pace and in my own way without having to answer questions about why what I do was done the way it was done or when.

What Are Some Of The Challenges You Face?

Deciding how to handle a short crop. Thinking about how I will handle things when I can no longer do what I do. I have had to change some of my routine practices due to not being able to do what I do as easily as I could when I was younger, stronger, and more flexible.

How Does The Co-op Influence Your Business?

The Potsdam Food Co-op has been my single biggest customer pretty much since I started selling honey directly to stores in St Lawrence County and the wider North Country Region. If I didn’t have the Co-op’s support my income would be negatively impacted.

What Are Your Goals And Future Plans For Your Business?

My goals are pretty much as they have been these last 32 years, to produce enough Honey each year to have enough stockpiled to meet customer demand all year round.

Tell Us Something Else You Want Our Customers To Know About Your Business

I want Potsdam Food Co-op customers to know that I appreciate them buying and enjoying Squeak Creek Honey. I get a kick out of hearing grown youngsters who tell me that they grew up eating Squeak Creek Honey.