Student entrepreneurs start Tanglewood Farms Honey
Tanglewood farms honey
Following in their grandfather’s footsteps, junior Anders Gulbrandson and senior Peter Erpelding founded a local beekeeping company, Tanglewood Farms Honey. With the help of Jack Randolph and Revis Stephenson, the homegrown company has become a success in the local area.
Cousins, Gulbrandson and Erpelding are proud owners of a local business, they also excel in athletics and academics. These students are changing the ways of their community for the better.
We approached multiple potential investors in the local area and achieved our goal in gathering support and capital to further our business endeavors
— Peter Erpelding
“Our grandpa was a beekeeper for 20 years–when he stopped, my cousin and I decided to continue where he left off,” head beekeeper Gulbrandson said.
Two years ago Tanglewood Farms Honey was founded to enlighten the community about the effect bees have on the community, as well as how to minimize bee related diseases.
Not only is honey available for purchase at this local business, but apparel is too. Tanglewood Farms Honey offers a variety of merchandise for consumers to buy. Sweatshirts and t-shirts are most common; students around the district have become walking advertisements for Tanglewood Farms Honey.
“It’s really cool to have a business this unique in our area, especially run by students from Orono.” junior Abbie McGrann said.
The farm sits on the remains of an old polo club, named Tanglewood. The name of the club came from the rich history of the property which the company is built upon. Gulbrandson’s house currently sits on the old polo fields, where his backyard has become home to 3-4 hives of bees that make up the local bee business.
“The bees take up a two mile radius in order to obtain all the food they need to stay alive,” Gulbrandson said.
It only took two months for Tanglewood Farms Honey to make its mark on the map. Gulbrandson and Erpelding spent the first month researching beekeeping; the following month was designated to buying and setting up the proper equipment, that would equip the bees for the business, and make up Tanglewood Farms.
“We approached multiple potential investors in the local area and achieved our goal in gathering support and capital to further our business endeavors.” Erpelding said.
Employees at Tanglewood Farms Honey are planting clover seeds because they offer the best nutrients for their bees to produce quality honey. At this time of year, the hives are being cleaned out for reuse and space is being expanded to allow a greater area for the hives.
By the end of October, Tanglewood Farms Honey will close up shop to allow the bees to hibernate through the brutally crisp winter air. Covering the hives with blankets and stuffing the holes with cork keeps the hives as warm as 80 degrees, even if it is below freezing outside.
Be sure to order your honey and apparel at https://www.tanglewoodfarmshoney.com Also don’t forget to check out @tanglewoodfarmshoney on Instagram.
My name is Katie Udell and this is my first year officially working with Spartan Speaks! I am currently a Junior at Orono High School. I am very honored...
