Reflection on 2024 and exciting plans for 2025!
Reflections on 2024 and Exciting Plans for 2025
Hi everyone, Libby here from Herd & Hive! As we step into 2025, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible year 2024 has been and share some of the exciting plans Ollie and I have in store for the year ahead.
A Year of Growth and Milestones
2024 has been a whirlwind of growth, hard work, and milestones for Herd & Hive. What started as a small passion project for Ollie and me has blossomed into something truly special. Here's what we accomplished this year:
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Beehive Expansion: We’ve grown our apiary to an incredible 100 hives! Our bees have been busy producing the most delicious honey, and we’re so proud of the quality and quantity we’ve been able to achieve. Seeing the hives thrive has been a labour of love.
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Our Growing Goat Family: We now have 10 goats in our herd, each with their own quirky personality. They’ve been keeping us on our toes but have also provided the rich, creamy milk that’s at the heart of our soapmaking.
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Meet Lillie and Roxie: One of the highlights of 2024 was welcoming two donkeys, Lillie and Roxie, to our farm. They’ve brought so much joy and charm to our daily routines, and we can’t imagine life without them now!
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Team Additions: One of the most exciting changes this year has been adapting to four full-time team members. We’re so grateful to have such passionate and talented people join us on this journey. Herd & Hive has truly become a family, and their contributions have been invaluable.
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Custom-Built Unit: After months and months of planning, we’ve moved into our very own custom-built unit! It’s given us the space and tools to streamline our honey production. It feels like a dream come true to see everything running so smoothly in our new space.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we look forward to 2025, Ollie and I are brimming with ideas and enthusiasm. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come:
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Expansion to Northern Lavender: We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be relocating some of our bees to a beautiful lavender farm near Thirsk called ‘Northern Lavender.’ The lavender fields will provide a stunning environment for our bees to thrive and produce unique, aromatic lavender honey.
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Increasing Retailers: One of our big goals for 2025 is to expand the number of retailers that stock Herd & Hive products. We’re actively working to bring our honey and goat’s milk soap to more shelves, making it even easier for you to find us.
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Regular Market Appearances: You’ll now find us at regular markets every month, including Otley, Ilkley, Skipton, Junction 32 Shopping Outlet, Saltaire, and Harrogate. These markets have been such a joy to attend, and we love meeting so many of you in person.
Thank You for Your Support
None of this would be possible without you — our customers, supporters, and community. Your encouragement, feedback, and loyalty mean the world to us. Every purchase you make supports not only Herd & Hive but also our mission to create sustainable, high-quality products that you can feel good about.
As we embark on another exciting year, Ollie and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of this journey. Here’s to a buzzing, bleating, and beautiful 2025!
With love,
Libby (and Ollie!)