“There he goes”, said my parents, as I took off chasing bees and butterflies through a Wisconsin farm field, blooming with Purple Alfalfa and White Clover flowers.  They say, curiosity killed the cat, well curiosity stung the boy at the age of 6 to the point the local family doctor advised against me getting stung any more.  Well, the warning didn’t work. I was insistent on chasing one of nature’s gifts, the Honeybee. I continue this passion of mine to this day.

At the age of 17, I started working with a local migratory beekeeper through the summer months.  Little did I know this experience would change my life and direct me towards developing my own business in beekeeping.

When I turned 21 I met my wife Sue.  I remember our first date, meeting her at the Calumet County Fair Honey Exhibit.  What a Sweet way to start out our life together.

The next four years, Sue and I went to as many farmer markets as possible selling honey from our 100+ hive operation.  One day we heard about a beekeeper that was very experienced with wintering bee hives, (the art of keeping beehives alive through the brutal Wisconsin winter).  The man I met was Warren Otto from central Wisconsin.  Little did I know I was about to build a life long friendship with one of the true masters of beekeeping.  The history of beekeeping in the Otto family dates back to 1888.  I was fortunate to spend 19 years working side by side with “the master”.   I found out why Wisconsin is known as the Land of Milk and Honey.  Milk is represented by the dairy farmers, and, so is honey.  This is due to the farmland of Wisconsin and the premium nectar source, (Alfalfa, Basswood Trees, and Clover) the combination of this floral source produces on the average, The Best Flavored Honey in the World.

Now, I had one remaining question for Warren, how could I make this honey even better?  “The Master” was very clear, “location, location, location”.  Therefore I learned to place the nectar gathering beehives in unique locations where Natural and Organic Farming is done.

The result of my 30+ years of working with honeybees is in the jars of honey I offer you.  If you have any questions about my bees or honey please email me at doug@wnacres.com.  I promise to reply.  Until then, eat honey live longer!

Doug Schulz,

Proprietor