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Hunter’s Honey Farm –
A Legacy of Beekeeping
2-1-1 History of the Farm

A Family-Owned Beekeeping Business

Hunter’s Honey Farm is a family-owned and operated business that has been producing honey and honey-related products in Indiana for over a century. Passed down through four generations, the farm has continued to grow while staying true to its beekeeping heritage.

freepik__expand__84443-1 History of the Farm

Catching the First Swarm
Gilbert Perigo was born in 1890 and discovered his passion for beekeeping while in high school in Boonville, Indiana. His journey began when he caught his first swarm of bees, a moment that would shape the future of Hunter’s Honey Farm.
Expanding the Apiary
  • By 1910, Gilbert was managing multiple hives to pollinate his father’s apple orchard. Over time, he expanded his apiary to 800 hives while also working as a school teacher. His commitment to beekeeping and education laid the foundation for future generations.
A Career in Beekeeping and Inspection
  • In 1951, after retiring from teaching, Gilbert became the Chief Apiary Inspector for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. He then moved his family and beekeeping operation to Mooresville, Indiana, where the farm continued to flourish.
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Passing the Torch
Marian’s Beekeeping Journey
Gilbert’s eldest daughter, Marian, inherited her father’s love for bees. She married Max Hunter, an engineer for the Indiana Highway Department, and they settled in Mooresville.
Starting Her Own Apiary
While working as an elementary school teacher, Marian also established a small apiary with 12 hives. Her passion for beekeeping ensured that the family tradition remained strong.
beeking-local-raw-organic-honey History of the Farm

Learning from His Grandfather
Marian and Max’s son, Tracy Hunter, developed a love for beekeeping from an early age. He helped his grandfather (Gilbert) harvest and extract honey, which they sold in local stores, orchards, and even from their front porch.
Hiving His First Swarm
  • In June 1975, while still a high school sophomore, Tracy had a significant moment in his beekeeping journey—hiving his first swarm in downtown Mooresville under his grandfather’s guidance.
Expanding the Family Business
  • After graduating from Purdue University, Tracy married Christina Ramsay, and together, they worked to expand their beekeeping operation. By 1998, their apiary had grown to 500 hives, making it one of Indiana’s leading honey producers.
Ross-Hunter History of the Farm

Ross Hunter’s Contribution
Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Just like his father, Ross Hunter took an early interest in beekeeping. In 2004, at just 10 years old, he hived his first swarm in Martinsville, Indiana.
Becoming a Queen Grafter
Ross currently runs his bees in Guinea, West Africa while pursuing his doctorate’s degree in Europe but makes it home to help on the Honey Farm when he can.
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Hunter’s Honey Farm Today

Managing Hundreds of Hives

Today, Hunter’s Honey Farm is run by the Hunter family along with beekeepers Elijah and Hunter. They manage one thousand hives across Indiana, providing pollination services for crops such as apples, melons, cucumbers, and pumpkins.

Roles Beyond Beekeeping

Apart from managing the farm, the family members are actively involved in other professions:
  • After teaching high school biology for 32 years, Tracy Hunter has retired and now serves as an Elder and Sunday school teacher at Eastview Christian Church in Martinsville.
  • Christina Hunter has also retired from teaching family and consumer sciences and helps with the children at Eastview Christian Church.
  • Ross Hunter is currently pursuing his doctorates in sustainable agriculture in Europe and continues to maintain his bees in Guinea, West Africa
  • Mackenzie Hunter is a wildlife rehabilitator at the Audubon Center in Sharon, Connecticut where she maintains her beehives.

Hunter’s Honey Farm Today
Hunter’s Honey Farm continues to thrive, preserving its 100-year-old legacy while adapting to modern beekeeping techniques. Each generation has played a role in shaping the farm, ensuring that their passion for beekeeping, sustainability, and community service lives on.
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