As chairman of this year’s NCSBA Certified Honey Producers Program (CHPP), I am excited and looking forward to being a part of such a worthy effort. I would like to thank Kenny Jones, the past chairman, for his pioneering efforts getting this great program up and running. All the best Kenny as you move on to greater things.
As a honey-producer myself, and long-time resident of the state, I envision this program as promoting the unique goodness of our local honeys, while also expanding our markets to new customers. Now could not be a better time for a program like CHPP. I hear many of my own customers lament the poor and often suspect honey choices available to them at the large retail stores and even at some farmers markets and roadside stands. But when they see the NCSBA CHPP stickers on my jars of honey, they find the assurance they are looking for: that they are buying real local honey from a trusted beekeeper certified by an established state-level organization.
I hope every NCSBA member who produces honey in North Carolina will consider joining the CHPP. An application form with membership requirements can be found on the NCSBA website. The $25 fee gets you a two-year membership. Once approved, you will receive a certificate, a Discover the Goodness license plate, an informative location pin on an interactive online map, and a sample of stickers to put on your honey jars—all included in your membership fee. Members can order more stickers when needed. Two-year renewal memberships are also $25.
Only members of CHPP can use the certified stickers and/or get on the honey producers map; so join today!
Ed Speer
2020 Chairman NCSBA CHPP