Who's Your Farmer Middlesex County Merrimack Valley Apiaries Crystal Card 96 Dudley Road, Billerica, MA 01821 Phone: 978-667-5380 | Email:
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Merrimack Valley Apiaries was incorporated in 1958 to provide a honeybee pollination service to apple growers in Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Proudly celebrating their 50th anniversary, service has expanded to include apples in New York State, blueberries in Maine and New Jersey, cranberries in Massachusetts, and almonds in California. The Merrimack Valley Apiaries also raise bees to supply beekeepers nationwide and sell NUCs (replacement hives) for commercial and hobbying uses. They also produce Crystal's All-Natural & Varietal Honey, refined beeswax, and bulk ingredient honey available from five-gallon containers to tank truckloads.
History of Merrimack Valley Apiaries
In 1949, Andrew Card, Sr. and his wife Alice were given one hive that quickly became many. Within a couple of years they decided to make some money with this new hobby they had found, and started to provide a few hives for local apple pollination. By 1958, Merrimack Valley Apiaries (MVA) was incorporated, and soon after grew to 800 hives becoming a significant second job. It was at this time MVA started to pollinate wild blueberries in Maine and cranberries on Cape Cod.
After graduating from Bates College in 1973, Andy Jr. made beekeeping his full-time occupation. At that time MVA had about 2500 hives. In 1974, Andy, Jr. and Crystal were married. She began working with the bees and became very interested in raising queens.
In 1976, MVA began migrating in order to meet the growing demand for stronger colonies earlier in New England pollination. In 1998 Evergreen Honey Company was established for over-wintering MVA's hives and honey production in Louisiana.
Today, both companies have grown and operate over 12,000 colonies nationwide providing NUCs, pollination services, raw and processed honey, and processed bees wax.
After graduating from Cornell in 2003, Wesley and his brother Glenn, a 2006 graduate from the University of Vermont represent the next generation of beekeepers from a family farm that began with a single colony. With three generations backed by fifty years of experience we look forward to meeting your beekeeping needs now and in the future.
Who's Your Farmer? Essex County McCarl's Gloucester Apiaries / McCarl Associates Henry McCarl 112 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930-1854 Phone: 978-823-6344 | Email:
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Hank McCarl, retired University of Alabama Professor of Economics and Geology, permanently relocated to Gloucester in 2001. His expertise in natural resources led to a scientific interest in bees. His passion has developed into a small business that generates several hundred pounds of local honey each year out of 4-9 hives, for which, he can happily report, there is tremendous demand. McCarl's Gloucester Wildflower Honey is available at the following locations in Gloucester, Massachusetts: Alexandra's Bread, 265 Main Street, Phone: 978-281-3064 and Cape Ann Coffees, 86 Bass Avenue, Phone: 978-282-1717.
"I want people to understand how vitally important bees are to local agriculture and our general welfare. Trees, flowers and crops are all more productive because of a bee's labor," said Mr. McCarl. Given the development of immune deficiency disease within the bee population, McCarl has seen a significant increase in local beekeeping interest. "Over 2,000 new beekeepers have joined our ranks in Massachusetts since the problem became evident in the state." He enthusiastically credits the programs and guidance available through the Essex County Beekeepers Associationand recommends connecting with the group if you have an interest in learning more about apiculture.
297 years, Spring Brook Farm has been supplying Middlesex County and the surrounding area with quality, flavorful products at affordable prices. Veggies, berries and cut flowers are always in high demand. The highly diversified farm consists of 440 acres in two parcels, with 80 head of beef cattle, chickens and other livestock, fed directly from several hundred acres of grain grown for use and sale on the farm. Livestock are selected based on their sturdy build and health.
Spring Brook Farm is managed and operated by Frank Matheson, Jr., whose family farm has been in continuous operation since 1713, after the King of England rewarded his farm with a land grant for their service during the French & Indian War.
Frank graduated from the UNH Thompson School in 1976, and has been building his farming credentials and practical experience his entire life. He is a member of Farm Bureau, the Vegetable and Berry Growers Association, and the USDA Committee, FSA.
Frank has long been the “go to farmer†to others who seek out his advice and expertise.
In 2010, Spring Brook Farm will open its first CSA program, based on the concept of “freedom sharesâ€. The CSA program is tentatively scheduled to run June 15 through October 31st. Share holders will receive a coupon book and will have the flexibility to use the coupons to obtain the products they need, in the quantities needed, at the time of production. The Matheson philosophy is to encourage share holders to develop a personal relationship with the farm and farmer. They practice environmentally-friendly, sustainable agriculture and use the latest in Integrated Pest Management methods to minimize environmental impact. The Mathesons understand that the great American tradition of family farms does more than put food on the table, it brings together local families and strengthens the community.
Hank McCarl, retired University of Alabama Professor of Economics and Geology, permanently relocated to Gloucester in 2001. His expertise in natural resources led to a scientific interest in bees. His passion has developed into a small business that generates several hundred pounds of local honey each year out of 4-9 hives, for which, he can happily report, there is tremendous demand. McCarl's Gloucester Wildflower Honey is available at the following locations in Gloucester, Massachusetts: Alexandra's Bread, 265 Main Street, Phone: 978-281-3064 and Cape Ann Coffees, 86 Bass Avenue, Phone: 978-282-1717.
"I want people to understand how vitally important bees are to local agriculture and our general welfare. Trees, flowers and crops are all more productive because of a bee's labor," said Mr. McCarl.
Given the development of immune deficiency disease within the bee population, McCarl has seen a significant increase in local beekeeping interest. "Over 2,000 new beekeepers have joined our ranks in Massachusetts since the problem became evident in the state." He enthusiastically credits the programs and guidance available through the Essex County Beekeepers Associationand recommends connecting with the group if you have an interest in learning more about apiculture.
Who's Your Farmer
Who's Your Farmer?
