The renowned Register Family Farm beekeeping operation has been serving the local community and beyond with high-quality honey products since 2013.
Located in Freeport, the farm operates about 1,500 colonies and is fully managed by members of the Register family. The Veteran-owned and family-operated business is dedicated to sustainable beekeeping practices, ensuring the well-being of their bees and the production of pure, natural honey.
“It’s been pretty awesome being able to work with your family toward a common goal,” said Founder and CEO Joseph Register. Register and his wife, Elisabeth, both served in the Army. On combat deployments and operational assignments, they found themselves separated for long periods of time and realized they wanted to establish a tightly bonded family, start their own business and create something meaningful for their loved ones.
“I went and listened to a beekeeper speak about honeybees and got interested,” said Register. “I convinced my brother Jeremiah and my father to help start our own operation.” In just three years, the Registers had grown to approximately 1,000 hives.
As their business venture progressed, so did their knowledge about producing quality bee-related products. They started creating different lip balms, soaps, candles and other beehive products.
Before a product is released to consumers, the Registers spend ample time in product development and testing. “Nothing is cookie cutter. Everything is unique, and we’re very big on having the best possible products,” said Register.
One of their most popular products is Tupelo honey, made from the nectar honeybees gather from White Tupelo trees. The Registers harvest their spring honey and move the hives to locations with high concentrations of White Tupelo, yielding the purest Tupelo honey possible.
According to Register, Tupelo honey is famous honey in the area, often produced in the waterways and swamps of the Apalachicola and Choctawhatchee Rivers.
“It’s very light and sweet. It doesn’t crystalize, as it’s lower on the glycemic index than most honeys,” he said. The Registers’ rare Tupelo honey has a pear-like fragrance, delicate green hue and a burst of uniquely sweet flavor. These characteristics, combined with its limited supply, make it a sought-after delicacy, generally regarded as one of the best kinds of honey available.
“Most brands will source honey, then put their brand on it and sell it. We’re unique because we actually produce these things ourselves, and then we make these products,” said Register. “We don’t outsource them. We make all the lip balms and lotion bars; they’re my recipes.”
For more information about the Register Family Farm and where you can find their products, visit RegisterFamilyFarm.com.
