Our story
Nikki and Robin are sisters who grew up in the tiny town of Burton, Washington County, TX (of which Greenvine is an even tinier part).
Their grandparents began renting a farm in the Greenvine area of Washington County in the 1960s. It was there that Nikki and Robin spent much of their childhood—running through fields, helping with chores, and building memories that would shape their lives. After their grandparents passed away, their father continued to care for the land, running cattle and making hay just as their grandparents had.
In 2022, Robin was given the opportunity to purchase the farm, and she said yes, allowing the family to now own this cherished place.
The property includes two homes: a brick house built in the 1980s and remodeled in 2023, and a 1940s farmhouse that holds a special surprise… the honeybees absolutely love it.
The first two times bees were discovered in the farmhouse, Robin called a beekeeper to have them removed. At the time, she had plans to one day renovate the farmhouse as her retirement home. However, when the bees returned for a third time, she decided it was fate—and chose to keep them.
A fun honeybee fact: hives cannot simply be moved a short distance, as the bees will return to their original location. To address this, the beekeeper transported the bees to his property in Chappell Hill before eventually returning them to the farm in proper hive boxes. Since then, he has become an invaluable mentor, helping guide Nikki and Robin in beekeeping practices and even re-queening one hive with a gentler, more manageable queen—because peaceful bees make happy beekeepers.
In March of 2025, Robin, Nikki, and three friends attended the Central Beekeepers Workshop.
It was eye-opening, exciting, and inspiring—and even led one of our friends to start her own beekeeping journey. The original plan was for both sisters to harvest honey together. However, Robin soon took a job in South Carolina and later another in Montana, leading Nikki to take on full responsibility for caring for and harvesting from the hives.
Around that time, the sisters sought help naming the farm. A dear family friend suggested Thistle Dew Farm, and the name immediately felt right. With the help of an artist, a logo was created, bringing their vision to life. Nikki immersed herself in learning the craft—researching proper harvesting methods, purchasing equipment, and meeting all requirements to sell raw honey in Washington County, Texas. The first harvest was small, but meaningful.
Robin shared 4-oz jars with friends and family to spread the word. Nikki and Robin sold 16-oz jars—and every single one sold out. Even better, everyone asked for more.
To support growing demand, Robin later hired a web designer to help manage orders and connect with their expanding community.
Today, Nikki continues to care for the hives through the off-season, ensuring the bees remain healthy, strong, and mite-free in preparation for the next honey flow.
While the future of 2026 is still unfolding, Nikki and Robin remain hopeful it will bring plenty of clear, sweet Greenvine honey for both returning and new customers. They are simply two small-town sisters, sharing a small—but very sweet—piece of their family farm.
Orders for 2026 are now open. First come, first served!
