Welcome to Tomin Apiary, where honey is more than just a product—it’s a family tradition spanning generations and cultures, blending Ukrainian heritage with Mexican roots here in beautiful Woodinville, Washington

The 1970s

Our story begins near the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa, where my grandfather, surrounded by the vast prairies and meadows of the region, started beekeeping in a climate remarkably similar to Eastern Washington’s.

For him, beekeeping wasn’t just a craft but a way to support our family through difficult times.

He worked with over 100 beehives in the old-world style of Dadant hives, each housing 20 frames, slightly larger than the modern deep frames used today.

Imagine lifting those full of honey! These large hives allowed him to produce generous honey harvests, even during the economic turmoil of Perestroika, which struck the USSR in the 1980s.

Pasika Old — Old apiary. Large Dadant hives.

1050634 1 edited — Acacia honey in traditional 3L jars.

As a child, I grew up with a love for bees and a special appreciation for the clear, lightly sweet acacia honey that was always the crown jewel of our harvests.

This honey, harvested in early spring, was difficult to obtain because it required the bees to be strong enough to gather nectar during a season prone to sudden cold spells.

Pure acacia honey is almost transparent, never overly sweet, and takes over a year to crystallize, at which point it turns a beautiful white.

These unique qualities made it a prized treat for us, and its gentle taste is one I’ve cherished since childhood.

Beekeeping continued through my father, who, despite being a busy medical doctor, kept the tradition alive.

In the difficult economic years of the 1990s, honey once again became a source of resilience for our family.

Some of my earliest memories include helping my father sell honey at the farmers’ market. One day, I dozed off behind the stand, and a few jars went missing. I was anxious, worried my father would be upset, but he reassured me instead, showing me that beekeeping and family were intertwined in ways that went beyond a few missing jars.

In fact, it was our honey business that helped us save up for our first family car.

Years later, I continued the tradition in my own backyard, starting with just a couple of hives. Beekeeping became a way to connect with my heritage and feel close to the memories and values passed down through my family.

I found that there’s something incredibly satisfying about watching the bees work and, in return, receiving the golden reward of honey each season.

However, keeping bees is never without challenges. Last winter, I found several of my hives destroyed by a bear—a heartbreaking reminder of the natural risks these remarkable insects face.

The war in Ukraine brought my parents to the U.S., forcing them to leave behind their homeland, friends, and life as they knew it. Adapting to a new country, language, and culture hasn’t been easy, but restarting our apiary has brought a sense of familiarity and purpose. As we continue the Tomin family’s beekeeping legacy, this small business is our way of sharing a taste of our heritage and resilience with our new community

Today, Tomin Apiary is committed to bringing you local, raw, unfiltered honey that’s as close to nature as possible. Our honey is not filtered, so you may notice tiny pieces of wax or pollen – a mark of authenticity that adds flavor and natural goodness. Crystallization is also a natural process, especially for pure honey, and it doesn’t affect the quality; it’s simply a sign that the honey is in its purest form.