The Funny Farm
WE STARTED WORKING WITH THE FUNNY FARM
After a devastating 1st year at our home location due to late winter weather conditions, I thought all was lost. I struggled, sold off a lot of equipment, and tried to move on.
An old friend from when I went to school at “The Aggie” offered space on his farm if I wanted to go forward. I’d restart with 1 hive at my location and work with Ethan Noll by having bees with the hives he would be getting. We could work together and make another run.
With a handshake, it was agreed. I’d have hives on his farm in Vassalboro, Maine, as well as at my location in Pittsfield, Maine about 35 to 40 minutes away.
ABOUT THE FUNNY FARM
The Funny Farm is owned and operated by the Noll Family in Vassalboro, ME., about 40 minutes south of Hood Brook Apiary. The Funny Farm is an actual working farm with beef cattle, goats, chickens, geese, dogs, cats, and, of course, honeybees! The owners of The Funny Farm have been long-time friends with Hood Brook Apiary owner Bob Donovan. Ethan and Charlene Noll met Hood Brook Apiary founder, Bob Donovan while attending Essex Agricultural High School. Ethan Noll and Charlene (Brooks) Noll graduated in 1982 and Bob graduated in 1979 making Bob the old fart of the group.
After graduating from “The Aggie,” while Bob Donovan went on to explore the world of the entertainment business, Charlene and Ethan never left agriculture. Between working on farms and eventually having their own farm, Agriculture has been their way of life. Although Ethan’s father had raised honeybees in the past, developing an apiary of their own at The Funny Farm has only come into play recently. Their son Adam was the first to experiment and then around 2011 for a few years. In 2023 after agreeing to work with Bob from Hood Brook Apiary (who 
would have some of his hives at The Funny Farm), Ethan, Adam, and Bob all decided to work together. Now, The Funny Farm has its hives right next to Hood Brook Apiary hives on The Funny Farm!
While Ethan and Adam are the primary caretakers of the bees at The Funny Farm along with visits from Bob, The Noll Family have their hands full with everything going on at the farm. In addition to regular chores, Charlene plays the additional role of keeping it all together and keeping everyone fed!
With winter coming on, farm life is getting a little less hectic. So, as soon as things quiet down enough, more about The Funny Farm, in their own words, will be coming soon!
