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Agriculture is Australia's backbone...
And pollinator health is vital to our food supply!
Flow is proud to partner with Wheen Bee Foundation to launch Bee Friendly Farming Australia, using funds raised through our educational platform TheBeekeeper.org
Bee Friendly Farming is a low-cost certification program that works with farmers and gardeners to preserve pollinator health.
BFF is overseen by a taskforce of experts, including Australian scientists and farmers.
It sets standards for sustainable land management on important concepts like planting pollinator food resources, providing nesting habitat, and incorporating an integrated pest management strategy.
Did you know that there are over 1,700 species of bee in Australia?
Our agricultural systems rely on honeybees, native bees, and a multitude of other living creatures.
Aussie farmers are stepping up to promote biodiversity and safeguard the wellbeing of future generations by implementing robust pollinator protection measures like Bee Friendly Farming.
Bee Friendly Farming was originally created in the USA by the Pollinator Partnership. Wheen Bee Foundation has the first international license outside of North America to launch and run the program in Australia.
The BFF program is being launched in Australia with help from $50,000 from Flow, using funds raised through our educational platform TheBeekeeper.org
Why it's good for farmers:
- Improved pollination outcomes
- Support for habitat management practices
- Bioregional planting guides
- Access to subsidies for tree planting
- Enhanced biodiversity, healthier local ecosystems
- Customer-facing certification
Why it's good for pollinators:
- Reduced pesticide use
- More forage plants
- Year-round forage
- Availability of drinking water
- More nesting habitat
In the past Flow has supported BFF in the USA by providing funding to Pollinator Partnership™, who are the USA’s largest non-profit organisation dedicated to the health of pollinators.
Together we launched the Flow Native Seed Grant, which provided 137 pounds of native eco-regional pollinator seed mixes to 19 BFF-certified growers in 12 states.
Are you a farmer or gardener who'd like to help make a difference?
Receive support to protect pollinators on your property.
"Looking after the bees is looking after ourselves, and giving back to the environment. A lack of bees means a lack of pollination… In my line of business, if you don't have the bees you're not going to make any money."
Mike Hogan
BFF certified farmer
Customer Testimonial
"Bee Friendly Farming Australia is a science-based program overseen by a national task force of Australian experts. The task force ensures BFF supports bees and other pollinators to thrive under Australian conditions whilst optimising the benefits to landholders.”
Fiona Chambers
CEO of the Wheen Bee Foundation
FAQs
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[NB: Please see theBFF AU websitefor up-to-date info.]
- Offer floral resources to provide good nutrition for bees on at least 3% of land. Floral resources include cover crops, if they are left to bloom.
- Provide bloom of different flowering plants throughout the growing season, especially in early spring and late autumn. There is no minimum land coverage for seasonal bloom.
- Ensure there is clean water for bees in keeping with the Biosecurity Code of Practice.
- Provide permanent habitat for nesting through features such as shelterbelts, wildlife corridors, natural bush, buffer strips, or bare ground.
- Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM); reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals.
- Pay the annual certification fee.
- Complete the compliance form once every 3 years (audited by the BFF Australia scientific taskforce).
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Bee Friendly Farming® GARDEN is specifically designed for home, community and public gardeners who promote and provide habitat and pollinator health in non-commercial settings.
BFF GARDEN has been designed to distinguish these members from commercial farming enterprises or sponsors, as well as highlighting gardeners who follow the specified guidelines in providing for pollinators and offering a diverse and permanent habitat source at a scale at or above a small home garden.
In addition, BFF GARDEN registration means limiting or avoiding the use of harmful pesticides on blooming plants, and paying the annual registration fee.
BFF GARDEN membership does not include logo use except in special circumstances. Contact the BFF team for use information. Habitat signs and support are available, as well as the opportunity to be featured on the WBF blog.
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The BFF scientific taskforce operates as an expert advisory panel. The taskforce consists of scientists and experts representing bee biology/entomology, agriculture, food/seed industry and other pollinator stakeholder groups.
The taskforce meets monthly to:- oversee decisions for approval and scientific validation
- make recommendations on changes to the program
- identify program partnership opportunities
- review 10% of compliance forms annually
- assist with field audits