Photo by Sarah B. Gilliam

In 2015, Persimmon Ridge Honey and Goat Farm owner Betty Taylor gifted a single hive to her friend, Sarah Gilliam. From that mentorship and friendship, Hilltown Honey was born. Gilliam is now taking on Taylor’s former Pick TN Products honey business after a dramatic hive decline.

For now, Gilliam hopes to grow her hives to help support her neighbors’ gardens and the growing organic farming community in Santa Fe. She plans to start opening up more honey sales in the next couple of years while she continues to learn from her friend and mentor.

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“I have always wanted to keep bees, and I am lucky to have an amazing teacher,” Gilliam says. “I am focusing on creating healthy hives, but hope to one day produce enough honey for others to enjoy like Betty Taylor has done for so many years.”

Hilltown Honey isn’t for sale to the public just yet, as Gilliam works to grow her hives. However, you can find a Tennessee honey purveyor near you in the honey section of Pick TN Products.