The Beekeeper

Joe Zgurzynski is a second generation beekeeper who grew up on a small farm in New Jersey. He learned beekeeping from his father, Joe Sr., caught the bug, and as a teen became president of his local 4-H beekeeping club.

A lifelong interest in Beekeeping and Entomology led him to become a certified Master Beekeeper. He enjoys taking an active role in his community, mentoring new beekeepers, regularly teaching workshops, and is a guest speaker at local schools. 

He resides on the farm just North of Pittsburgh, PA, with his wife and kids, where everyone has a role in the family business. 

The acreage comprising the farm was first developed for agriculture in 1811. As agricultural operations expanded a traditional Pennsylvania bank barn was constructed in 1861.

At the turn of the century a large apple orchard on the farm's Southern slope was the primary enterprise. Today the orchard is largely overgrown, but the original barn remains.

The Zgurzynski family bought the farm in 2007 and lovingly restored the property.  The rustic barn inspired Joe's young daughter to come up with the perfect name - Country Barn Farm! 

The land is tended by the Zgurzynski family with a keen focus on beekeeping, organic gardening, and sustainable agriculture. The farm is located a few miles North of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania city limits in O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania.

Country Barn Farm is committed to educating others about the ecological significance of honey bees. Honey bees pollinate flowers, fruits, and legumes and their honey is a precious commodity. The bees must visit roughly 2 million flowers to make one pound of it!

Honey is typically harvested in the months of July and September. The timing and size of the harvest depends on the weather and, of course, the bees.

 Our honey is lightly filtered and never heated. As a result we are able to offer the sweetest, natural food in the world at peak flavor and nutritional benefit.