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Resources

Getting Started

There is only one real reason to keep bees, and that is because they are fascinating. If you just want honey, make friends with a beekeeper.

Adrian the Bee Man, Australian beekeeper

Embark on Your Beekeeping Journey

Beekeeping truly is a fascinating pastime, if you are inclined to try it for yourself, we’d like to make some cautionary suggestions first – Bees are considered to be livestock in lots of ways, you will be responsible for their wellbeing and held accountable if they get out of hand.

Read as much about bees as you can, if you’re not a reader, there’s a multitude of valuable video resources online. Don’t just watch documentaries, investigate the nitty-gritty of what’s actually involved, if you find you become bored with learning about bees before you acquire some, don’t go any further, maybe try some goldfish or an ant farm, they’re probably great too.

Beekeeping sparks an interest with people for a variety of reasons. Some are interested in harvesting their own honey. Some are interested in bees because they help their gardens flourish. Others are concerned over the plight of our pollinators. Whatever the reason, you chose to become a beekeeper.

Responsible Beekeeping

At Ripple Farm, we want you to enjoy your beekeeping, whether you are just starting out or have been a beekeeper for a while. When managing something as complex as a colony of bees, there are good times and bad times and times you are not entirely certain what to do. When seeking advice there are often as many opinions as there are beekeepers. For new beekeepers, this can be incredibly overwhelming. We are always happy to have a chat and help you sort through the opinions and alleviate some of your fears. If we don’t know the answer, we won’t make one up, we’ll help point you in the direction of where you’ll find the solution you’re looking for.

Importantly, if you own beehives you are required by law to register them with the DPI (Ag department) This is not just another revenue raiser, it is a vital tool used to manage our industry and maintain the disease-free environment we all enjoy. Please take it seriously and become a registered beekeeper.

Included in your application fee is a hive brand* registration of your choosing. You can find the application here.

    • Please do not try to brand your bees!

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