Hidden Farm Stand Sells Sweet Treasures

Even local farm stand aficionados may not be aware of one of Montville's most unique farm stand treasures, the Honey House at Gooserock Farm.

Specializing in wildflower, blueberry and black locust honey as well as clover, thistle and others, Gooserock Farm sells fresh raw honey that is filtered but not heated during processing. By processing without heat, the honey maintains vitamins and minerals, as well as traces of local pollens that many believe are beneficial in combating allergies.

Located at 101-B Taylortown Road in Montville, the driveway to Gooserock Farm is marked only by a row of mailboxes and a small "Local Honey" sign. Upon venturing down the driveway, you must park and follow the Honey House signs by foot along a short stone path.

No one mans the Honey House; customers walk in and make purchases on the honor system. Thorough instructions on the wall explain how to calculate and pay for the items purchased.

Owned and operated by Master Beekeeper, Landi Simone, Gooserock Farm sells fresh, locally grown, honey harvested from Simone's more than 80 honey bee hives, which are stationed in seven apiaries throughout Montville, Pine Brook, Towaco and Boonton.

"Many people believe that eating local honey is good for their allergies," Simone said. "As a scientist, I haven't seen conclusive evidence that it's true, but there have been studies that indicate that it may be true."

What Simone does know for certain is that many of her customers swear that local honey helps them manage debilitating allergies. 

In addition to raw honey, other products like bees wax candles, a variety of honey spreads, hand cream, lip balm, honey gift sets, other cosmetics and soaps are available in the Honey House.

"I love making soap," said Lucille Kudelko, an employee at Gooserock Farm. "It's fun."

Simone's soaps and other products are vegetarian based.

Simone and Kudelko also sell Gooserock Farm honey products at area fairs and make custom gifts for corporate outings, weddings and showers.

Simone develops her products through extensive research and some trial and error. 

"I try things in small batches, see how they come out, and then produce them in larger quantities if they are good."

Small test batches are important in the development of products because the honey, which is harvested usually only once per year in the spring, is a limited supply. A bad batch of a test product is a waste of honey. 

Simone, who holds two engineering degrees, draws on that skill set as a beekeeper, planning and researching thoroughly before trying a new recipe for soap, lip balm, honey spreads or hand cream. Her approach has resulted in consistently creating award-winning products for more than a decade at the New Jersey Beekeepers Association's Annual Honey Show.

Simone's fascination with social insects has been with her for her entire life.

"I was raised in San Francisco, but I'm not a city kid," she said. "I always preferred my uncle's ranch in the Salinas Valley. It was four hours outside of the city and when we would get there it was my job to remove any critters that had moved in while we were gone. I think insects are cool. I'm not afraid of bees, like many people are. I like social insects."

Simone is very protective of her bees, noting that they are valuable livestock that must be cared for and tended like any other farm animal.

"It's been a tough year," she said. "Drought means not enough water so I have to make sure my apiaries are located near water sources. This year I also had to abandon one apiary because of bears. I don't want bears harming my bees, so until I can put up an eight foot electric fence to keep them away from the bees, I moved the hive."

Despite the elements, the 2010 harvest has been a good one.

"This is the busiest time of year," Simone explained about the fall. "Not only are we bottling honey and making honey products, but we are packaging those products and going to fairs selling items for the holidays. In addition, I also have to get the bees prepared for winter. I have to make certain they have enough food to get them through until spring."  

She also has to check each hive for deadly mites and signs of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), which has been in the news in recent years for decimating entire colonies of bees throughout the United States and Europe. If bees become infected, the hives must be treated with medicine.

"Nothing I do makes the honey," Simone said. "It's the bees that make the honey.  I just take care of them and they give me the excess."

Simone began her beekeeping business 15 years ago when she took a course at Rutgers. Today she is a certified Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS) Master Beekeeper who teaches beekeeping courses, serves on the EAS board, administering tests for certification, and develops her own recipes for a unique line of honey products and cosmetics. She is also one of only a half-dozen beekeepers in the state who raise queens for sale to other apiaries.

Becoming a master beekeeper is an arduous undertaking. Simone has become a leader in her field, and is active in all areas of the craft; from education, to practice, to legislation. But, she really is a beekeeper because she loves the bees.

"Some people are fortunate to find something that is completely compelling for them," Simone said. "I would just die if I couldn't raise bees."

Simone is also passionate about chickens, and has recently acquired an extensive variety of exotic pure-bred fowl. Coming in February 2011, Gooserock Farm will introduce farm fresh eggs as a new product line in the Honey House. The eggs will be available daily while supplies last.

The Honey House at Gooserock Farm is chock-full of homegrown honey and award-winning homemade honey-based products. Items are artistically packaged and suitable for gifts.