Show Notes
This week’s episode of the Bees with Ben podcast features Michael Colvin of ‘High Meadow’.
Michael was born and bred in Guyra, on top of the Great Dividing Range in the New England region
of NSW. He was raised on a fine wool property near the small town of Wards Mistake, and has a
passion for regenerative agriculture, having managed organic beef and sheep enterprises. Michael
also loves his bees and is the President of the New England branch of the Amateur Beekeepers
Association. For the last 12 years, Michael has been employed in a full-time capacity as a fencer;
about 6 months ago he purchased a small excavator in order to diversify somewhat. About 3 or 4
years back, he also started up a small business selling local ‘cold country’ honey. High Meadow is
actually the family farm situated near Guyra at an altitude of 1300 m above sea level, which results
in mild summers and cool winters. The business produces raw, unfiltered honey from chemical free
hives located on selected sites across the Northern Tablelands from Dorrigo in the east to Inverell in
the west. The High Meadow website, highmeadow.com.au, explains that the bees are only kept on
sites where the land managers practice chemical free, regenerative agriculture. High Meadow honey
is harvested during a limited season and is said to have a truly local flavour and pollen profile. It is
cold extracted, raw and unfiltered to preserve the delicate aromas and enzymes, as well as the
natural yeasts and pollens.
Michael describes his location as being ‘a little north of halfway between Brisbane and Sydney and
about two-and-a-half hours’ inland from Coffs Harbour’. He says he currently maintains just under
50 hives and had an awesome season last spring and summer, with a yield of about 16 kg per 8
frames. Guyra is notable for having the highest caravan park in Australia, and routinely gets a couple
of inches of snow in winter. Michael says it’s not easy to keep bees in this area because there is such
a short warm season; from Christmas onwards this necessitates making sure the bees have enough
supplies to get them through to next spring. Once the queen starts laying in spring, the advent of a
cold snap can see a hive run through a full box of honey within 2-3 weeks. The bulk of Michael’s bees
are therefore now located at a site which is around 6 degrees warmer, where they cruise through
winter without a problem.
Michael tells us that he has not been directly impacted by the varroa mite incursion in northern
NSW; in the first couple of weeks after the mites were identified he travelled to Newcastle and spent
4 days working as a volunteer inspecting hives. He says he had a great time and met a lot of
interesting people. He also relays that to date it is estimated that just over 2,100 volunteers have
contributed the equivalent of 47 years of hours worked towards controlling the outbreak. Michael is
quietly confident that we will eventually eliminate the mites; he’s got a ‘good feeling that we will get
round it’.
When asked about his aspirations for the business, Michael replies that he would like to build it up
to the point where he no longer has to fence; he says that he doesn’t want to go too quick, as he
doesn’t want to sell bulk honey if possible. He and his partner Alison, a Research Fellow at the
University of New England, do everything themselves (Alison loves the business side of the
enterprise) and they are gaining some good traction locally. Last weekend they went to Moree to
attend a festival, where they had a great reception and picked up another stockist for their products.
In fact, the highmeadow.com.au website lists a dozen stockists across the New England region.
Runny honey, creamed honey, honeycomb and pure beeswax may also be purchased online from
the website.
More from Bees With Ben
All good things must (sometimes) pause... and after an incredible journey of conversations, laughter, learning, and buzzing with brilliant guests, this is the final episode of Bees with Ben – at least for a while. In today’s episode, I reflect on the wild ride this podcast has been – from talking bees and biosecurity to sharing stories from the paddock, the lab, and everywhere in between. I’ve had the honour of chatting with amazing beekeepers, scientists, enthusiasts, and friends from around the world – and you, the listeners, have been a huge part of that journey. The truth is, life’s gotten very busy. Between the hives, the honey, the pest control, and being a dad (and sometimes a part-time tow-truck driver when I get bogged on avocado farms), something had to give. And for now, the podcast is taking a well-earned rest. This isn’t goodbye forever – just a little smoke break. So keep the mic warm for me, and who knows – a surprise episode might pop up when you least expect it. Thanks for every listen, share, message, and moment. Keep supporting your local bees, your local beekeepers, and stay curious. With gratitude and a sticky handshake, – Ben 🐝
Guest: Norm Collins – Seven Decades in Beekeeping In this special episode, I chat with Norm Collins, a true pioneer in Australian beekeeping. Once the largest beekeeper in Victoria, Norm recently turned 80, and he joins me to reflect on a lifetime of working with bees. We take a journey back to when Norm received his very first box of bees at just seven years old, and explore how much the world of beekeeping has changed over the past seventy years. From the way hives are managed, to shifting environmental pressures and evolving industry challenges, Norm shares his knowledge, experiences and a few great stories along the way. This episode is a tribute to the past, a nod to the resilience of beekeepers, and a reminder of how much we can learn from those who have spent a lifetime in the field. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your beekeeping community. https://collinshoney.com.au
🎙️ Episode 126 – I’m Back! (Yes, Really!) Welcome back to Bees with Ben – and yes, you heard right… I’M BACK! It’s been a buzzing 12 months since the last episode, and I want to start by saying a huge thank you to everyone who’s stayed subscribed, messaged, or asked, “Where’s the podcast, Ben?” Life got wild – as it often does when you’re juggling bees, business, family, and everything in between – but the mic is back on, and the hive mind is reactivating. In this short but heartfelt solo episode, I check in, catch up, and share what’s been happening behind the scenes. Plus, I give you a sneak peek into what’s coming over the winter months: incredible guests, fascinating beekeeping stories, and some brand-new topics I can’t wait to explore with you. Whether you’re a beekeeper, a bee-lover, or just someone who loves a good yarn – thanks for sticking around. Let’s get this hive humming again. 🐝 What’s Inside: Where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to
Join me on a unique episode of "Bees with Ben" as I take you on a journey to Shepparton!
In this episode, I chat with Sam and Nicholas, the dynamic father-son duo behind Meli Honey. Their journey is a testament to passion, family, and the pursuit of quality. We dive into their fascinating story of importing premium Greek honey to Australia, and how their love for this golden elixir has translated into a thriving business. Just after we wrapped up recording, Sam and Nicholas received the incredible news that Meli Honey had won gold at the London Honey Awards! This accolade is a significant milestone for them and a testament to the exceptional quality of their honey.