Patron Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate
The Natural Beekeeping Trust aims to promote awareness of ways of beekeeping which take as their starting point the nature and needs of the bees, rather than maximising honey yields. The founders of the Trust believe that this is the best way to ensure long-term bee health.
The Trust encourages working with bees in a way which allows them to express their instincts fully through swarming, presence of drones, feeding on honey and warmth maintenance for the promotion of their general health and wellbeing.
Allowing the colonies to maintain the warmth of their broodnests is one of the cornerstones of natural beekeeping, and from this it may be inferred that routine inspections of the nest are not advocated. This, however, does not equate with ‘leave-alone’ beekeeping as observational skills must be developed to a high degree in order to monitor colony health. More details may be found in the Guidance Notes which are available on request.
We have planned a number of natural beekeeping courses in different locations, so please have a look if there is one to suit you. If there is interest in sustainable beekeeping in your area please get in touch.
The Trust collects information and research on methods which accord with the aims stated above, and welcomes submissions of information of interest through info@naturalbeekeepingtrust.org.
The Trust is indebted to the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner, and inspired by his insight into the nature and importance of bees.
PLEASE NOTE that we are the Natural Beekeeping Trust, and as such are not connected to any other organisations bearing the name ‘natural beekeeping’. We bring this to your attention merely to avoid confusion.