Copy of Mysterious Bee Die-Off on Peter Hunt's Dartmoor Farm

We've proudly stocked Peter's honey in our farm shop for the past seven years.

Whilst Peter was delivering his latest batch to the farm last week, he shared the news of a multi-colony die off.

It's all too easy to forget the farmer behind the product, so we asked Peter if he'd be happy to share the realities of bee farming. Fortunately for us he said yes, meaning we get to learn more about the man, the bees and the care behind the honey jar.

"My name is Peter Hunt and I’m a small bee farmer on the fringe of Dartmoor, with approximately 100 hives (as well as a flock of Jacob/Real Shetland sheep) And I've been caring for and farming bees for approx 18 yrs.

During this time I've watched the climate change and our honey bees adapt.

However in 2025, I lost half of all my bees. Leaving me with just 50 hives. Which of course is devastating, both emotionally and financially. Once we reach Spring of this year, I'll be able to open the hives and check the health of the remaining bees.

With the die-off, I've taken to observing my bee's activity, which has drawn me closer to nature, and I've learned not only to read bee books but to study them carefully too. Which is a marvel in itself.

Beekeepers can do the basics; provide a strong and weather-resistant hive, leave an abundance of honey or artificial sugar syrup, to ensure bees survive a long winter, and provide plenty of room and additional wax frames for young queens to lay the next generation of workers. But as the climate changes, I also need to work alongside the bees and see what I can learn, hive to hive. For example, if they decide to replace a queen, perhaps they have a very good reason for doing so, which I for one do not yet understand.

All to say it encourages me to ask many more questions. To respect and learn from our bees; nature's greatest teachers." 

We look forward to receiving an update later in the year, but for now if you wish to support Pater and his Dartmoor bees, a fresh batch of Dartmoor Wild Flower Honey is available in our farm shop.