Her brothers, Lucas and Dylan, developed
their own timber-framing company several
years ago. The family also raises chickens,
pigs, heritage-breed rabbits, laying hens,
ducks, and honeybees. Four compatible
farm dogs protect the livestock from bears,
coyotes, and hawks.
Melissa has raised rabbits since she was a
girl and has a passion for preserving heri-
tage breeds to capture their best qualities.
“We raise Flemish Giants, New Zealand,
Mini Rex, and the endangered Silver Fox.
We sell heritage-breeding stock for meat
production or as pets. Families who want
to raise their own rabbits will buy a trio of
a buck and two does.” Shawn Comar, Me-
lissa’s ex-husband, is the head beekeeper in
charge of 70 to 100 hives. “We harvest up
to a ton of raw honey each year, depending
on the year. Everyone helps with extraction
in September,” says Melissa. Oak Summit
hives are located throughout Dorset,
Rupert, Pawlet, and Danby.
“I absolutely adore the honey side of
the business,” Melissa continues. “I visit
schools, bring the observation hive, and
give kids samples of honey. Many of them
have never tasted anything besides gro-
cery-store honey, which is often half corn
or rice syrup. They’re blown away at how
creamy and delicious raw honey tastes! It’s
so important that kids learn about the need
for pollinators and to get their honey from
local beekeepers.”
The Power of Family
It takes a team to run a farm and a pair of
thriving enterprises. Melissa, 34, Lucas, 30,
and Dylan, 27, manage the various
operations with their mom, Sabine
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