The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Episode: 1KHO 696: Honey and the Unexpected Yes | Drew and Ava Miller, Petal Honey Co

Release Date: January 31, 2026
Guests: Drew Miller & Ava Miller (Petal Honey Co.)
Host: Ginny Yurich

Overview

This heartwarming episode explores how unexpected turns and small decisions can lead to life-changing journeys—in this case, the Miller family’s leap into beekeeping and small-scale homesteading in Florida. Through faith, family, and community, Drew and Ava Miller share how they built Petal Honey Co., transitioned from ministry to hands-on farming, and discovered new passions and opportunities for stewardship and connection in their local area.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Serendipitous Start: How a Honey Purchase Changed a Family’s Life

[02:11–10:00]

• Drew Miller describes leaving his long-time worship ministry role, feeling guided by faith during the uncertain COVID-19 period.
• A chance stop at a small honey business led to a remarkable connection: the owner, “Ed,” recognized Drew’s family and revealed he once proposed to Drew’s grandmother as a teen—a story blending fate and family history.
• Drew unexpectedly began helping Ed with his honey business, learning beekeeping and business operations, and providing support while Ed cared for his ailing wife.
• “Not because there was any potential for anything… It was just his wife wasn’t doing well. He needed to be freed up to spend time with her. …A totally unexpected, beautiful season.”
  — Drew Miller [09:01]

2. From Helpers to Beekeepers: The Birth of Petal Honey

[10:00–14:34]

• The Millers didn’t take over Ed’s business, but the experience led Drew to learn beekeeping himself.
• Ava describes starting “Petal” as a booth at her homeschool co-op entrepreneur fair, brainstorming the name to evoke floral beauty and honey’s origins.
• “We just really knew that for honey, we wanted to reference the beauty of it and the beauty of the process. And so that has fundamentally shaped Petal.”
  — Drew Miller [14:14]

3. Seasons of Faith, Music, and Community Support

[14:34–19:41]

• The Millers launched their business during financial unreality, betting their house down payment on equipment and bees—a leap of faith.
• Drew recounts how a stranger at church offered help, which enabled them to professionally record their own worship music as “Miller and Company,” seen as an affirmation of their new path.
• “I do believe that God gives you all the things you need in every season. It may not feel that way, but I do know that to be fundamentally true.”
  — Drew Miller [16:51]

4. Entrepreneurship: Uncertainty, Resilience, and Practical Advice

[23:29–28:15], [34:11–35:02]

• Drew reflects on open and closed doors as spiritual guidance, with Petal Honey’s growth driven by opportunities and setbacks both.
• He offers candid warnings: beekeeping is harder than it looks, financially risky, and threatened by land development and generational decline in beekeepers.
• “If you have a desire whatsoever to be a beekeeper, do it. …It is harder than you might think. And it takes more time and attention than you might think.”
  — Drew Miller [27:14]
• Ava encourages hesitant entrepreneurs, especially youth: “Just go for it… Don’t be afraid to try something new or start something. …Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
  — Ava Miller [34:23]

5. Expanding the Homestead: Chickens & Family Business

[33:09–33:54]

• The Millers raise chickens, hatching and selling chicks and eggs, involving the whole family in hands-on care.
• “It’s been a lot of fun… it’s something all siblings can do together. So it’s a special shared experience, for sure.”
  — Ava Miller [33:53]

6. Preservation, Stewardship & The “Apiary Alliance” Vision

[36:46–43:21]

• Drew discusses the fragile state of beekeeping—how pollinators are critical to the food system and threatened by development.
• He’s inspired to foster collaboration and resilience through a new concept, “Apiary Alliance,” a network connecting beekeepers and businesses for preservation.
• “A third of our food supply does come from pollinators… The greatest threat to pollinators is land development… The Apiary Alliance would basically create land preservation.”
  — Drew Miller [41:19]
• On natural beekeeping: “We’re trying to break some of those what they would consider norms of beekeeping and just try to keep the natural way… the hippie way.”
  — Drew Miller [42:26]

7. Community Connection: Markets, Restaurants, & Local Support

[44:25–48:07]

• The Millers are deeply community-driven, hosting pop-up honey stands and partnering with restaurants (including Disney-affiliated ones).
• After a bear destroyed their bee hives, a local restaurant group held a fundraiser to help them rebuild.
• “We felt very loved by the chefs… They did some honey themed menu items and gave the proceeds to helping us rebuild our yard.”
  — Drew Miller [45:20]

8. Faith, Flexibility, and Open-Ended Vision

[48:20–53:14]

• Influenced by advice from farmer Joel Salatin, Drew reflects on releasing self-imposed limitations and trusting open doors.
• The Millers recently received a miraculous opportunity to purchase a dream property from a founding local family, opening possibilities for a center focused on hands-on agriculture, music, and community.
• “Don’t put limitations to what God can do. …He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and He’s bigger than we know. …He is always good.”
  — Drew Miller [50:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Sometimes random things can really change the trajectory of your life.”
  — Ginny Yurich [02:32]

• “We plan our course, but the Lord determines our steps.”
  — Ginny Yurich [10:00]

• “If you have any desire whatsoever to be a beekeeper, do it… It is harder than you might think. But if you do lose a hive… you’re actually, you’re contributing [wild bees].”
  — Drew Miller [27:14, 42:39]

• “It’s not like they died, they’re just, now they’re out in the world, right?”
  — Ginny Yurich [43:44]

• “Just go for it. …There’s people that love you, that… are willing to come alongside you and help.”
  — Ava Miller [34:23]

• “Music, chickens, honey—it’s all about people and community.”
  — Drew Miller (Paraphrased, [45:14–46:30])

Important Timestamps

• [02:11] Drew shares the “Honey for Sale” story, family connections, and meeting Ed.
• [13:41] Ava introduces the Petal Honey concept during an entrepreneur fair.
• [23:29] Drew outlines the process of starting the business, risks taken, and early decisions.
• [27:14] Drew offers encouragement/practical tips on starting beekeeping.
• [33:09] Ava discusses the family chicken business and shared experiences.
• [36:46] Ginny asks about preservation and environmental stewardship.
• [41:19] Drew explains the “Apiary Alliance” vision and pollinator threats.
• [45:20] Story of community fundraising after bear attack.
• [50:12] Drew shares key takeaways from Joel Salatin & growth mindset.
• [53:34] Ava’s favorite childhood outdoor memory: visiting Prince Edward Island.

Episode Tone & Language

Warm, faith-rooted, and practical; the Millers are candid about hardships but brimming with gratitude, humility, and encouragement for listeners to embrace the unexpected, rely on community, and get outside.

Resources & Further Information

• Petal Honey Co.: petalhoneyco.com
• Music by Drew & Ava Miller (“Miller and Company”): Available on Apple Music (Album: "Arboretum")
• Beekeeping Associations: Check local county organizations if interested in starting

Concluding Message

The Miller family’s story is a modern parable of how openness to “the unexpected yes” can lead to new roots, revitalized communities, and deeper stewardship of creation—encouraging us all to take small steps outdoors, nurture curiosity, and say yes to possibility.