Southwest Honey Co. is a volunteer-operated, conservation-focused beekeeping operation based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, founded to protect and conserve the local bee population. They harvest raw, unpasteurized honey from sustainably kept apiaries located on organic farms and preserved lands in northeast Indiana, and also produce local handmade bee-related products.

The Beekeeper's Story

Southwest Honey Co. was founded by Fort Wayne beekeepers Alex Cornwell and Megan Ryan as an initiative to protect and conserve the local bee population. The organization partners with organic farmers and natural property owners in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area, maintaining approximately 50 colonies in sustainably kept, chemical-free apiaries populated from local honey bee swarms. Proceeds from honey sales go toward creating sustainable pollinator habitats and educating the public. Beyond honey production, Southwest Honey Co. is deeply committed to community education. In 2016, they received a USDA North Central Region SARE grant to study the symbiotic relationship between farmers, ranchers, and honeybees through consumer education. They launched the 'Explore The Honey Bee' program for K-12 students and also offer adult programs such as 'Bees and Tea' and 'Bees and Brew.' The Facebook page for the organization now appears to redirect to 'Bloomingbird – Sustainable Homestead & Sanctuary,' suggesting the brand may have rebranded or evolved.