History of the Norai Family Hazelnut Farm

The story about the love of nature that became a way of life and a source of livelihood

In the family of Rimas Norus, the history of beekeeping has already lasted for about nine decades, and the history started with his grandparents. Rimas has had a relationship with honey bees since childhood. As he says, he ‘grew up in the beehive’. Seeing his dad and mum living ‘by the rhythm of bees’ from the spring until late autumn, and being so close himself, Rimas knew he would be a beekeeper. It was his curiosity, desire to live in natural surroundings and with bees that helped him to come to the point where he is now.

Nowadays, Norai Family Farming is based on extensive knowledge of beekeeping, which is confirmed by the special quality certificate. In their farm, beehives are located at more than ten different places in Lithuania so the honey is of especially good quality and has different tastes. They are really devoted to their bees, and trade! Their wish to grow and develop meant taking on new tasks, and the history of hazelnut cultivation is closely related to beekeeping. Bees and hazelnuts – this is a kind of wholeness already achieved by uniting aspirations in Norai Family Farming. Anyone who has sufficient knowledge of beekeeping knows that in the spring, hazelnut trees have much more pollen than other plants and are otherwise very useful. Hazelnut trees gave another perspective to the farm.

However, it was a real challenge as there was no information or former practice in Lithuania; hazelnuts were delivered from foreign countries. Nevertheless, the current results are gratifying. These days the Norai Family Hazelnut Farm with 21 hectares of hazelnut plantations can be proud of their produce variety, quality and delicious taste. They are the leading hazelnut propagation and growth specialists in Lithuania. Their farm has provided hazelnuts of round, oblong or cone shape, and of various sizes for as long as thirteen years. For seven years, the hazelnut seedlings have also been sold.

Hazelnuts from Norai Farm became popular in Lithuania, and people come to see the farm from far away. All the Norai Farm produce is based on honey and hazelnuts. Initially, there were only dreams and now it is a real way of life. Love of nature and working together became a family tradition, and gave the basis for the Norai Farm.