By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
The Stovall’s of AJ Honey Farms are “bee-yond” joyful after closing on a new 12.5 acre farm and home, as part of their honey business expansion.
Judy and Allen Stovall are the founders and owners of AJ Honey Farms in Salina. The couple has recently signed on a new home and land to expand their business to a whole new level.
“This expansion was not a choice,” said Allen. “We are pushing so much business and in return, it is pushing us to expand.”
“We did not know when we started this business 7 years ago, the need that was already here for beekeeping,” said Judy.
Blueprint of the farm
The Stovall’s plan on planting pollinator perennial type flowers for their new bee farm, along with fruits, vegetables, an arboretum, education center(s), sunflower patch, lavender, lilies, iris (12 different varieties) "You pick strawberries," fruit trees and much more.
The farm is also expected to sustain around 80 bee hives.
Next year the Stovall’s plan on expanding their total bee colonies to 200, which will allow them to provide more honey production.
Judy stated they want to educate Saline County on what it means to consume 'true honey’ and the work it takes to do just that. Allen added they want to install a classroom center, where students can learn about beekeeping. He also plans to establish an entomology lab where he will allow local colleges to use, on top of field trips and inviting homeschool students as well for learning opportunities.
The current AJ Honey Farms shop on 901 N. 9th St. Suite A, will still be in business, as the farm will mainly be meant for produce.
Donations are welcome as well. Whether they be equipment or monetary, and each donor will be recognized on a plaque at the farm by the Stovall's.
Federal assistance
Before the expansion became official, the Stovall’s reached out to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to obtain financial assistance for the expansion.
FSA Mission: (Farm Service Agency is equitably serving all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans.)
The FSA loaned AJ Honey Farms with funds to assist them in purchasing the new land that will serve as a local pollinator preserve.
“From here forward especially with the help of FSA, I do not think there is any end in sight,” said Allen.
FSA is an agency with the USDA that supports farms and farming communities with programs, including disaster relief, conservation programs, commodity price guarantee programs and loan programs.
What it's like to work at AJ Honey Farms
AJ Honey Farms employee Kendra Beasley has been working with the Stovall’s for 4 months and explained her working experience.
“I love it here, because it is something different everyday,” said Beasley. “You get to make things, you get to talk to the customers and I just love the creative aspect this job brings. There is nothing about this job that is fake or pretentious.”
She added about discussing the working relationship she has with the Stovall’s.
“Our working relationship is like having dinner with friends,” she said. “It is just great, they are fabulous teachers and they so great to work for."
Judy commented on the employment expectations and working relationship she has with her employees at AJ Honey Farms.
"I am big on attitude and who we hire we," she said. "We are family, but we are professionals at the end of the day."
Soulmates meet online
Allen and Judy met each other through an online game, “Conquer” 13 years ago before marrying.
“If Conquer had never been invented, we would not be here right now,” said Allen.
The couple met in a server (online gaming hub where players can meet from different locations), when they both found out they were going through a divorce of their own. Judy said she did not want to move on with another relationship, but was being encouraged by her gaming friends to give Allen a chance.
Allen then made the bold move by requesting Judy’s character to marry his character on the game. However, Judy denied the request at first but Allen kept trying and eventually their characters got married.
Throughout their gaming experience together, phone calls and online conversations, Allen asked Judy to meet him in person in Salina and the rest was history.
When the Stovall’s got married, Allen suggested he implement installing beehives along with Judy’s gardening in the backyard of their home. When Allen continued to expand his capacity of beehives, this is where the couple thought of the idea to start what is today, "AJ Honey Farms."
The Stovall’s recently just celebrated their 8-year wedding anniversary.
For the AJ Honey Farms website, visit: https://ajhoneyfarms.com/
