Bridgewater Beekeeper Is Buzzing Up Business Through Her Honey

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — As a kid growing up, Christine Miller of Bridgewater was never afraid of bugs. Instead, they fascinated her. So when she saw her neighbor had honey bees, she got a protective suit and put her head right into the beehive to get an up-close look.

Now seven years later, Christine Miller has 12 bee colonies, is an active member of the Raritan Valley Bee Keepers Association, and created her own honey business called "BeeLoved Honey".

"I love being outdoors and I always liked bugs as a kid growing up," said Miller. "Everyone else was always afraid of spiders and bugs and I was never afraid of them."

Miller, who lives in the Bradley Gardens section of town, began with three bee colonies. Now in her sixth season, her business is the buzz among Bridgewater.

"I just started it off as an interest in bee keeping in general and the honey was a bonus," said Miller. "Now I have gotten over 300 pounds of honey last year."

Miller has her colonies spread out throughout the township, some in her backyard and some at friends in other areas. She periodically checks on them and when the time is right she will remove the frames to harvest the honey.

"I dont pasteurize it, I don't heat up, I just strain it straight from the hive," said Miller.

Miller's techniques were recently awarded when she won best in class in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's 2021 New Jersey Honey Show.

The honey she harvests in the spring is much lighter versus the honey in the fall.

"The honey is a lot darker and more robust and more nutritious for the bees so I won't harvest it unless it has been super prolific, which it had this past year," said Miller.

Miller sells her honey throughout the year and her business is mainly word of mouth. She sells honey and other products made of honey including candles, soap and lotion.

To learn more about BeeLoved Honey or to buy some contact Miller at 908-499-9098 or message her on Facebook.

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