Kathy Bock is allergic to bee stings, but she’d be out of business without honeybees. She and her husband Steve own Honey Hill Orchard, near Waterman. They grow apples, raspberries, pumpkins, and gourds. Steve also raises honeybees, which are needed to pollinate all four crops. If you want to see what Kathy’s work day is like, you have to move quickly. She is always moving: supervising employees, leading school tours, and making sure everything is just right.
Being in the orchard business thirty years gives her the experience to know what makes customers happy. Visiting the orchard on a sunny fall day is like walking into a picture book about farm life. A big, red “Apple Barn” sits in the middle of the farm with smaller sheds surrounding it. Apple trees stretch in neat rows down the peaceful hillside. A fuzzy little donkey, a big white turkey, and a curious gray goat watch from the petting zoo area. In the apple barn, the fragrance of apples and cider fills the air. No matter what you see or do here, Kathy has worked behind the scenes to make the experience special. As for Kathy’s bee allergy – ”I’m not afraid of them. I just have to be careful,” she says with a smile.
Learn about more DeKalb County Farmers on the DeKalb County Farm Bureau website.
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