Selling Local

Selling Local. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.

Farmer’s markets are popping up all over the place and it is a good outlet for local businesses to sell their wares. Erika Ruppelius with Two Sisters Honey and Brewery has been making the round of the local markets.

RUPPELIUS: We’ve become more actively involved in it. I mean ten years ago I was eight years old so I really didn’t want to go to the farmer’s markets but now I find it a lot of fun to do that.

Erika and her sister, Shaina are featured on the packaging of their honey products that now includes more than just honey.

RUPPELIUS: We’ve started to kind of branch out a lot more. We sell the pollen. We’ve also used our beeswax in a few products. Me and my mom make the soap, the lotion bars, the lip balm.

Even though the last time she was stung, she had an allergic reaction she says she still is very interested in the bees and the whole process of honey-making and she likes to help educate customers who stop by their booth.

RUPPELIUS: Talking to people. Answering their questions. I found that I really love doing customer relations and that kind of thing. Spreading, you know - you should buy from local businesses. This is the benefits of buying this local product and here’s how honey and bees are good for you.

Buying local takes the guesswork out of knowing about a product and also helps with knowing that your dollars are staying in your local community and in this case, helping out Two Sisters with their honey business. Find them on Facebook at Two Sisters Honey and Brewery.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.