About the Creator of Barber’s Bees & Berries.

Bees:
Our venture into beekeeping began with a spark of curiosity that led to a “Natural Beekeeping” course. I was captivated and ordered my first hive that very night. I acquired some bees (a nucleus hive) and embarked on my beekeeping adventure. The bees are enthralling, and I often spend time observing their activities in the late afternoon as a way to relax after a busy day.

Roughly two weeks after welcoming my first bees, I was asked to collect a swarm from a fruit tree. Armed with a cardboard box, sheets, my bee suit, and plenty of hope, I ventured out. The successful retrieval marked the start of numerous collections throughout my inaugural beekeeping season. By the end of the 2020-21 season, I had collected six swarms.

Our goal is to expand our bee business, which now boasts 24 beehives.

Berries:
Fueled by my passion for plant science and a penchant for high-quality, fresh produce, I’ve decided to establish a pick-your-own (PYO) berry enterprise in Campbell Town, Tasmania. Our beautiful 10-hectare farm is now graced with our dream home.

In the winter of 2023, we planted our initial raspberry canes, generously donated by home gardeners from across Tasmania. This diverse collection of varieties will be a highlight of our berry patch. Come spring, we planted numerous blueberry bushes, and in the summer, a complete row of Haskap berries. Additionally, we planted rows of Tayberries, thornless blackberries, youngberries, silvanberries, and boysenberries.

We plan to open for PYO berries in the summer of 2024-25.

My husband Pete, along with our daughters Miriam and Fiona, are deeply involved in every facet of our business, from beekeeping to fencing and cultivating. As the berries start to flourish, I’m hopeful they’ll also enjoy picking the fruits of our labor.

You can follow Barber’s Bees and Berries here on Facebook.