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Raw honey is generally handled with minimal processing, while Ames Farm table honey is gently heated to help keep it smooth and pourable. Heating table honey helps delay crystallization, which can make it convenient for everyday use. If you prefer honey in a less-processed form, explore the raw honey selections and product descriptions to choose the option that best suits you.

Raw comb honey is honey stored inside the beeswax cells built by the bees, so you can enjoy the honey and its edible wax comb together. Comb honey offers a different experience from extracted honey because the honey remains in its natural comb structure. Ames Farm's seasonal Basswood Raw Comb Honey is a single-source variety associated with basswood, also known as linden.

Basswood honey is produced when honeybees gather nectar from basswood or linden blossoms. The availability and character of a single-source honey depend on the flowering season, local conditions, and the bees' nectar sources. The 2026 Basswood Raw Comb Honey listing features honey preserved in its natural comb.

VSH stands for Varroa Sensitive Hygiene, a honeybee behavior that can interrupt the reproductive cycle of Varroa mites. Worker bees displaying this behavior can detect and uncap brood cells containing reproductive mites. Ames Farm's 2027 nucs are described as having recently mated, laying VSH queens sourced from breeding stock developed to express these traits. VSH traits can help with mite management, but they do not eliminate the need to monitor colony health and manage Varroa.

Each nuc includes four deep Langstroth-style frames of bees and capped brood, a recently mated, laying VSH queen, a plastic feeder, and a recyclable Pro Nuc Box. You will need to provide the permanent hive bodies, stand, covers, and suitable care for the colony. Before pickup, make sure you have the equipment and a plan for transferring the nuc into its permanent hive.

The Texas and Minnesota nucs are prepared at different locations, have different prices, and have separate tentative pickup dates. Texas nucs cost $195 each, with tentative pickup on April 24, 2027, near Mount Enterprise, Texas. Minnesota nucs cost $200 each, with tentative pickup on June 10, 2027, at the Ames Farm location in Delano, Minnesota. Both options offer a VSH queen, and a marked queen costs an additional $25. Check the relevant product page for current options and pickup details.

No, bee nucs are pickup-only and are not shipped. The Texas and Minnesota colonies must be collected at their respective farm locations. Pickup is typically scheduled early in the morning or later in the day at dusk. Contact webstore@amesfarm.mom if you have a special pickup need.

Deposits are expected to open during the last week of December 2026, with Ames Farm asking customers to check back on December 26. The Texas and Minnesota nucs have separate product pages. Check the relevant page for ordering options and any changes to availability or pickup arrangements.

Ames Farm asks customers to report a queenless or bad nuc within 10 days of pickup to request a free replacement queen. Each nuc is inspected before pickup and is guaranteed to include a new 2027 laying VSH queen. Contact webstore@amesfarm.mom within the 10-day window. No replacements or adjustments are available after that period.

The class is scheduled for Saturday, May 1, 2027, from 12:00–3:30 PM at the Delano Community Room, 140 Bridge Ave East, Delano, MN 55328. The 3.5-hour class is led by Ames Farm founder Brian Fredericksen and covers honeybee biology, hive management, pest control, and honey production. The class and nuc bundle also includes a bee nuc and a class handout.

The bundle includes a 3.5-hour in-person beekeeping class, a bee nuc with a mated, laying queen and worker bees, and a class handout with beekeeping references. The bundle is priced to save $20 compared with purchasing the items separately. Review the class and nuc bundle listing for current purchase details.

Pure beeswax can be used for candle making, salves, lip balms, reusable food wraps, and many craft projects. Its uses depend on your recipe and project. Ames Farm also offers a Beeswax Wrap DIY Bar made with beeswax and pine resin for making reusable food wraps. Check the individual product pages for details and instructions relevant to each item.

The Beeswax Wrap DIY Bar is intended for making reusable beeswax food wraps using suitable cotton fabric. The beeswax and pine resin blend can be used in a wrap-making project as an alternative to disposable food wrap. Follow appropriate preparation and care instructions for your finished wraps, and visit the product page for details about the bar.

Choose raw honey for a less-processed honey option, creamed honey for a smooth, spreadable texture, and comb honey if you want honey preserved in its natural wax cells. Raw honey works well for everyday use, cooking, and drinks. Creamed honey is convenient for spreading on toast or biscuits. Comb honey offers a distinctive way to enjoy honey and edible wax together. Flavor varies with the nectar sources available to the bees.