Pollinators

Founded in 1873 in Alto Pass, Illinois, Rendleman Orchards spans over 800 acres and has been family-owned for more than 150 years. From peaches and apples to pumpkins, flowers, and honey, our crops depend on healthy pollinator populations to thrive. Strong pollination directly impacts fruit quality, yields, and sustainability across our operation.

Our Commitment to Pollinators

Since 2018, we have made intentional efforts to protect and expand pollinator habitats throughout the farm. Each year, we plant acres of densely grown flowers including zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, mums, pumpkins, and specialty gourds to provide continuous food sources for bees and butterflies.

We are proud to be a Certified Monarch Waystation and home to an Illinois Audubon Society Certified Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary. Our native prairie habitat features diverse wildflowers and multiple varieties of milkweed, carefully designed to provide food, shelter, water, and space for pollinators. Guests are welcome to stroll through the prairie and experience pollinators at work.

Beekeepers Colin, Larry & Angie of Angie's Farm

A More Sustainable Way to Farm

Before expanding our pollinator habitats, we relied on rented beehives delivered and placed throughout the orchards each season. As our flower fields and native habitats grew, pollinators began doing that work naturally. This shift has improved crop production while reducing costs and labor, making our farm more efficient and sustainable.

To further support pollination on the farm, we now host our own on-site honeybee hives in partnership with Angie’s Farm of Pomona, Illinois, right here at Rendleman Orchards in Alto Pass. Angie’s Farm is a two-generation, family-owned beekeeping operation managing over 100 hives across Union and Jackson counties. Their experienced beekeepers care for the hives throughout the season while honeybees forage across our orchards, flower fields, and native prairie.

The honey harvested from these hives is bottled by Angie’s Farm and sold in our farm market as the first Rendleman Orchards wildflower honey—produced by bees that live and work on our farm.

Education & Stewardship

Across the farm, you’ll find bee and bug houses, butterfly houses, hummingbird feeders, educational signage, and a bee library. We host pollinator events, share education through social media, and are proud to be Nationally Eco Certified.

Why Pollinators Matter

Nearly 80% of the world’s food depends on pollinators. As stewards of the land, we believe it’s our responsibility to protect them and inspire others to do the same. We invite you to visit The Fields at Rendleman Orchards and join us in supporting pollinators for generations to come!