7 Miles Ranch

05/08/2026

My son called me one evening asking what this was in front of his house. Sure enough its a honey bee swarm. Swarms are usually very docile since they are not guardian their home. I instructed him how to protect himself and collect them. He was able to scoop them into a box using a kitchen flipper! I picked up this tiny swarm and installed them in a hive by flashlight.

This swarm is about the size of a softball. They most likely came out of an over populated hive that had created one big swarm. With another virgin queen available the first hive swarmed again which is why this one is so small. I will feed them all summer and hope they build back up before winter.

If you see a swarm, post it to a facebook group like central illinois beekeepers association or another local group. Swarms will move on but they will most likely make a home in the side of a house. Home removals can be very expensive for a homeowner.

05/08/2026

Honey is 20% off this weekend. Stop by and check out the sales in almost every booth!

04/26/2026

The bee season started mid March. Once it was warm enough for bees to fly, I started feeding 1:1 sugar water with vitamins. This helps them produce more brood and build the hive quicker. Nectar is starting to flow so honey supers went on the big hives this weekend. One hive is still to small coming out of winter. It wont be ready for a super for another couple of weeks.

This year I am trying the new simplkomb inserts to produce honey comb in easy packaging. The bees build the comb in the plastic cassette. Once the cassette is capped it comes out of the frame and the lid is flipped closed. Im excited to see how customers like this product.

The queen below is from my best hive. She has a long big abdomen showing she was breed very well. The brood frames in her hive are almost completely covered! I'm trying to let a nuc produce queen cells from this queen but so far they have not been successful. If they dont have queen cells come next week, I will try my had at making queen cells and transfering eggs for them to raise.

04/26/2026

Find raw local honey here at the market from 7 Miles Ranch! Stop in and support this small business

👉 Open Thursdays 3-6, Fridays 2-5, and Saturdays 1-4
📍 206 N Market St in Paxton
🛍️ 17+ Small Vendors under one roof!
✨ Like/Comment/Share to help these small businesses grow!
👉 Vendor Spots Opening in June! -PM for info

03/20/2026

✨🛍️ NEW STORE HOURS STARTING NOW! 🛍️✨

We are excited to announce updated shopping hours at Market on Market!

Starting immediately, you can now shop our indoor vendor market on:

🕒 Thursday | 3 PM – 6 PM
🕒 Friday | 2 PM – 5 PM
🕒 Saturday | 1 PM – 4 PM

With 16 amazing small business vendors under one roof, there is always something new to discover — gifts, clothing, handmade goods, collectibles, home décor, bath & body, and so much more! 💛

💘 Mothers Day giveaway happening soon 👀

📍 206 N Market St, Paxton, IL

👉 Like • Comment • Share to help support local small businesses!

03/20/2026

Today is a sad day as my lambs go to market. I love having animals but its hard when its time to send them off. So far the sheep have been for the family. I've not had to worry about how they would be taken care of. I wanted to keep one of the ewes so bad but this line has scurs. Scurs are small malformed horns which is not the breed standard. I had to tell my self I can't keep them all. They were raised well and loved. I need to bring in different blood and move forward. Hopefully taking them up north for easter will bring a premium price for grass finished lambs. The picture is Lily who we named because I thought we were keeping her.

03/16/2026

Diamond would be a perfect canidate for tubbing! Her nickname has been rodeo since day one of coming to our home. You best be prepared if you get a rope on her while out in the pasture.

03/06/2026

We have our first goose eggs! I'll collect and date the eggs to keep her laying. Once I have a good clutch I'll give them all back too her to incubate. I can't wait to have gooslings!

03/06/2026

$9 Honey Bears 🐻 RAW LOCAL HONEY from 7 Miles Ranch! Stop in and grab some while supplies last!

Open Fridays 12-5 and Saturdays 11-4
206 N Market St in Paxton
15+ Small Vendors under one roof! ✨
👉Open Vendor Spots *PM for info

02/28/2026

Im so excited to have a booth at Market on Market Paxton, IL. Right now the booth contains Honey and lipbalm. I'm working on creamed honey and bees wax wraps.

While your there check out the other vendors goodies!

New Vendor alert! 7 Miles Ranch is in the Market with honey!!🍯 Stop in and grab some!

Open Fridays 12-5 and Saturdays 11-4
206 N Market St in Paxton
15+ Small Vendors under one roof! ✨
👉Open Vendor Spots *PM for info

02/25/2026

Sometimes I forget to take my phone with me to complete chores. Other times I take so many pictures and then forget to post them. Last night Makenzie caught Buddy in his new favorite spot on top of the hay! It is a trait of Karakachans and livestock guardian dogs in general, to climb to a high spot to watch for predators. This is something he just started doing and can only accomplish for a few days a week. A new bail is fed every Sunday but it has to be eaten down enough for him to climb on top. By Thursday night the bale will be pulled apart. We may have to make him platforms to jump on. Roxie and Buddy have different skills that makes them both great at their jobs. Buddy likes to stay with his friends while Roxie likes to patrol the farm from time to time.