We’re so excited to share more about Humboldt Honey! Here’s what we’re all about!

  • Our mission is to practice ethical, small-scale beekeeping that sustains pollinators, educates neighbors, and reinvests honey sales back into North Minneapolis. Through our work, we cultivate environmental stewardship, foster community connection, and expand access to beekeeping knowledge and resources.

  • We envision a thriving, connected community grounded in the sacred practice of beekeeping—where pollinators are protected, land and water are honored, traditional wisdom is preserved, and community gardens serve as spaces for shared learning, healing, and resilience.

  • Ethical Stewardship: We commit to year-round, responsible care for bees, hives, pollinators, and the ecosystems we are part of.

    Community Connection: Rooted in North Minneapolis, we build relationships through education, shared resources, and collective learning—connecting neighbors to bees, honey, and each other.

    Sustainability: We support pollinators and native plant life while reinvesting proceeds into local community gardens and environmental initiatives.

    Continuing Education: We intentionally invest in Northside BIPOC community members to expand access to beekeeping, grow the number of community bee stewards, and protect our vital relationship with bees.

Meet the Beekeepers

Co-Founders

A woman smiling, wearing a blue baseball cap with a Detroit Lions logo and a plaid jacket over a black shirt, standing outdoors.

Danielle Tietjen

“A lover of nature my whole life, you will often find me by the water, under a tree, or in the garden. I have discovered that being in community gardens is one of the most meaningful ways to live, and being a beekeeper is a significant part of that. Still new to this dynamic and sacred skill, I already know that I am on a lifelong journey of learning about about bees, right relationship with the land, and the role we play in protecting our world.”


A smiling woman wearing black glasses and a bright pink hoodie with a pin on her strap.

Joanne Goddard

“I started gardening when I was 8 years old and truly believe gardeners can repair the environment one veggie plot at a time. I have always appreciated the work of bees but since becoming a beekeeper, I admire and love them even more. My whole personality is now bees, trees, and veggies. I can also talk about soil regeneration for hour and hours.”


Apprentices

A woman with curly black hair, glasses, and earrings, smiling outdoors against a gray wall, dressed in layered casual clothing including a green jacket and beige shirt.

Melanie Heckt

“I’ve been a gardener for about 10 years and had the fortune of working with Joanne and Danielle at my first job out of school. We reconnected again recently over bee keeping. I am so excited to learn alongside these two amazing women who really embody the values of reciprocity, justice, and honor the sacredness of bees, people, and all living things. I want to be a beekeeper to help steward a healthy environment, make medicines with honey and beeswax, and build more relationships with community and the bees!”


A man with glasses, a mustache, and curly hair, wearing a blue knit hat, denim jacket, and a brown sweater, smiling outdoors against a gray wall.

Winston Heckt

“A lifelong artist and musician, I’ve always appreciated the beauty of our world. In 2019 I decided I wanted to live with greater reciprocity with nature to combat climate change, and I settled on beekeeping as the way to do my part. 7 years later and I’m learning about bees and beekeeping from the best possible teachers!”


Community Bee Stewards Cohort

We’re also proud to have our Community Bee Stewards Cohort, a group of passionate people who care deeply about pollinators and the planet. Together, they learn, share, and take action to support healthier hives and stronger ecosystems.


Our Locations

A community garden with various plants and flowers, a sign reading 'Community Garden, Free to Harvest,' and an orange monarch butterfly on a balcony of a light gray house in the background.

Story Garden

Our Homestead location, where we gather for community events, education, and hands-on engagement. These hives are nestled within the Story Garden in the Folwell neighborhood, creating a welcoming space to learn, connect, and experience beekeeping up close.

Beehaven Garden

A garden area with various empty and partially used bee hives and containers, surrounded by leafless trees and bushes, overcast sky.

Nestled on the hill overlooking the sacred Mississippi River, this location sits in Joanne’s own backyard. This site is reserved for private events and intimate gatherings.

Backyard with chickens in rented hutches, a white fence, a wooden deck, and houses with gray roofs, during clear weather.

North 4 Garden

Standing proud at one of McKinley’s Community Gardens, these hives sit quietly, working away. Neighbors enjoy meeting the bees and learning about pollinators while they tend the garden.