Glossary

A partly fermented blend of nectar and pollen made and stored by European honey bees to feed themselves and their young.

The eggs, larvae and pupae of European honey bees.

In a regenerative farming system, strategic livestock grazing builds carbon rich, fertile soils. Small areas are intensively grazed for days, then rested for months. During the intensive grazing phase, livestock fertilise and disturb the soil, and the roots of the closely cropped pasture begin to die. The organic matter (carbon) of dying roots becomes incorporated into soil. During the long rest period, leaves and roots regrow vigorously in soil fertilised by livestock. Soil builds over time, as it become ever richer in organic matter and fertility.

The building of soils by strategic grazing methods adds organic matter (carbon) to soils. Plants draw carbon from the atmosphere to grow roots and leaves. The incorporation of root and leaf matter into soils thereby draws carbon down from the atmosphere and buries it into soils. Organic matter in soils fuels underground biological activity, which captures even more carbon. Soils rich in organic matter hold more water, and the living systems they support (above and below ground) are more resilient to weather extremes.

We do not heat honeycomb or honey while extracting and straining honey. Reedy Creek Honey is raw. Comb is cut by hand from each frame and placed inside a stainless steel fruit press. As we wind the press downwards by hand, honey squeezed from comb flows into mesh strainers and a stainless steel honey tank, from which we fill the glass jars.

Products verified by the international Land to Market program are grown on farmland proven by independent testing to be regenerating. On such farmland, biodiversity and ecological connectivity are consistently improving. By purchasing products with the Land to Market verification seal, consumers are supporting the regeneration of farmland and the reestablishment of biodiverse, resilient ecosystems.

At least weekly, our hens move onto fresh pasture, following the cattle herd. Cattle graze pastures down to a level that the hens prefer. The hens enjoy eating fresh green leaves and plump bugs and worms. Pellets from Conqueror Milling Company in Cootamundra and grain from a local regenerative farmer supplement the hens’ diet of pasture and insects.

European honey bees make and store honey in comb at the top and down the sides of their hives. Bee brood is grown in the lower, central sections of comb. During the honey harvest, boxes full of honey are taken from the top. The Warré system of beekeeping requires the insertion of empty hive boxes at the bottom of each hive. This allows bees to follow their instincts to grow comb downwards. As the boxes shift upwards, bees make honey in comb that previously held brood. Brood comb is darkened by fragrant deposits of propolis, bee breed and pollen.

A mixture made by European honey bees from tree resins, sap, bee saliva and beeswax. Propolis is used by bees as a sealant. With powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, propolis protects the colony from pathogens.

Raw honey is not heated during processing. Studies suggest that heating destroys enzymes and antioxidants that promote health. Reedy Creek Honey is cold pressed and strained in stainless steel equipment.

Regenerative farmers revitalise farmland ecosystems by boosting biodiversity, fostering ecological connections, building carbon levels and biological activity in soils, and allowing the expressive character of particular farmland to inform management decisions. Within a regenerative framework, ecological and social connections are understood to bolster the resilience and wellbeing of farmland, farm businesses, and our broader ecological and social communities.

The Warré system of beekeeping was developed in the 1940s by Émile Warré, a French priest and experienced beekeeper. Warré tested a variety of hive styles before designing his own. His aim was to fashion a hive that approximated the natural dimensions and conditions of a tree hollow, and that anyone with basic woodworking skills could build. Warré beekeeping is ecologically oriented. Bee colonies are located permanently, allowing bees to integrate their genetics with wild populations and become a vibrant part of local ecosystems.