About

Aurora Springs Honey was started in 2004 by a nine-year-old Nicole Shimandle. She was brought into beekeeping by her neighbor, with over 60 years of experience under his belt, whose children had all grown up and moved out leaving him needing an extra pair of hands and an apprentice. At ten, she got her first hive through the Portage County 4H, Creatures ‘n’ Features.

She started at the Hudson Farmer’s Market as a volunteer, only to find out that the previous honey vendor had left last minute. So, she started up her own booth, and at twelve, young Nicole became the market’s youngest vendor.

She has given lectures and taught classes about bees for many different organizations, including the Portage County District Library, Hudson Montessori School, Leighton Elementary School, the Medina County Beekeepers Association, and more.

Currently her family, who has taken up the mantle of saving the bees, gives talks about the importance of bees and creates new products for the public to enjoy. Their goal is to promote pollinators and local agriculture. The honey is available at several locations, including local restaurants.