We are committed to providing the highest quality honey, harvested and curated with meticulous care to ensure purity and excellence in every jar.
We believe in transparency and honesty in all our practices, delivering honey that is genuine, unprocessed, and true to its natural form.
We are dedicated to environmental stewardship, promoting bee-friendly practices and sustainable beekeeping methods to protect and preserve our precious ecosystems.
HIVE & THRIVE HONEY CO.
For John, beekeeping isn't just a hobby — it's a lifelong love affair that began at the age of 8, as he worked alongside his father in their small apiary. Despite pursuing a career as a firefighter, his fascination with bees never waned. Meanwhile, Lydia's deep ties to the Blairsville community and her keen eye for detail as a wedding planner provided the perfect complement to John's beekeeping expertise.
It was fate that brought John and Lydia together in 2019, and with the arrival of their son, Dallas, in 2021, they started on a journey that would change their lives forever. Drawing inspiration from their mountainous surroundings and driven by a shared desire to make a difference in the world, they founded Hive and Thrive Honey Co. as a way to share the natural beauty and richness of their home with others.
At Hive and Thrive Honey Company, we bring more than just honey to the table; we bring a piece of nature, infused with love and dedication. Our honey is more than a product; it's a connection to the beauty of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, where each drop is harvested with care and respect for the environment.
With every jar, we share a taste of the land, a memory of simpler times, and a reminder of the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world.
It's not just about the honey; it's about preserving a tradition, fostering appreciation for nature's gifts, and spreading joy to every family and home it touches.
John Leek and Lydia Leek, residents of Blairsville, GA, are the proud founders of Hive and Thrive Honey Co. John's passion for beekeeping began in his childhood, working alongside his father in their small apiary. Despite pursuing a career as a firefighter, his love for bees remained. Meanwhile, Lydia, deeply rooted in Blairsville for generations, found her niche as a wedding planner.
Their paths crossed, they married and with the arrival of their son, Dallas, they started on a joint venture. Thus, Hive and Thrive Honey Co. was born—a testament to their shared love for the mountainous landscapes they call home. Today, they offer top-quality honey, harvested with care and respect for the environment, honoring the legacy of beekeeping while fostering a deeper connection with nature.
Once John made the decision to take his hobby to a full business, he researched and found Bob Binnie who owns Blue Ridge Honey Company in Lakemont, GA. Bob has over 40 years of experience in Commercial Beekeeping. He also runs a YouTube Channel about his business and Beekeeping Tips. Bob’s outfit has approximately 1,500 hives that John has had the opportunity to help with as a part of his mentorship program. The mentorship has turned into a friendship. John has had the opportunity to learn how to make quality honey and Bees from his time with Bob.
If you ask John what the number one thing he has learned from Bob is, to be kind and honest to people and not set a limit to what you can achieve. Bob has been a major influence on John, and however far Hive & Thrive Honey Co. goes, we will always remember that Bob Binnie has an important role in it. Thank you, Mr. Binnie.
Hive & Thrive Honey Co. owner, John Leek, has been working with honeybees since he was 8 years old in 2005.
We maintain sustainable beekeeping practices by prioritizing the health and well-being of our bees and their surrounding environment. Through the use of hive sections, we monitor the bees to cater to their unique and ever-changing needs. This can include treatment for diseases, change in hive locations, and practicing responsible harvesting to ensure that bees retain enough honey and pollen to sustain themselves through the year, particularly during winter.
It is inspiring to see the unity of the hive as every bee works together for a single goal; each bee knows what needs to be done and it gets done. As bee keeper's it is our job to sustainably maximize the hive's production and supplement the bees with what they need in order to produce a top-quality honey.
We will be selling Nucs in the future, so check our social media accounts (@hiveandthrivehoneyco) regularly to see updates regarding purchasing bees.