What' s the buzz around pollination with Australian native bees?

What' s the buzz around pollination with Australian native bees?

Author: NSW Local Land Services January 23, 2026 Duration: 40:47

Depending on the time of day you're reading this, chances are you have a cup of tea, coffee or glass of wine in hand.  And so you are already relying on pollination, and that's what this episode's all about because without healthy pollinators, so many of the foods and beverages we love simply wouldn't exist.

In the latest episode of The Big Shift for Small Farms Podcast,  we explore how pollination underpins our food system and why its future matters to us all. We visit Bill Shields’ apple orchard in Bilpin to hear about a mysterious event that has left him with virtually no apples on his trees this season.

We'll sit down with Native Bee expert Dr. Tim Heard, who spent his career uncovering the hidden world of Australia's native bee pollinators.

And in the wake of the varroa mite, we also hear from someone who's been on the ground with farmers and beekeepers, learning from their experiences supporting their recovery, and helping chart a path forward for resilient pollination into the future.


Featured in this episodes:


Bill Shields - Apple farmer, Shields Orchard Bilpin (shieldsorchard.com)


Dr. Tim Heard - Australian native stingless bee expert (sugarbag.net)


Emily Noordyke - Project officer, National Varroa Mite Management Program (varroa.org.au)


Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.


Hosted by NSW Local Land Services, Big Shift For Small Farms-Australian Agriculture and Regenerative Farming is a conversation about the fundamental changes required in how we work the land. This podcast moves beyond theory, grounding each discussion in the real-world experiences of Australian farmers who are implementing regenerative practices. You’ll hear from those on the front lines-producers, researchers, and industry experts-as they share practical knowledge about holistic land management. The dialogue recognizes that a truly sustainable system connects everything, from the microbiology in the soil to the well-being of the people managing the landscape. These conversations are made possible by the Grow Love Project in partnership with NSW Local Land Services, supported by Australian Government funding. By listening, you join a community exploring how agricultural resilience is built, one small farm at a time. This podcast serves as a vital resource for anyone interested in the future of farming, offering honest insights and collaborative wisdom for a more regenerative path forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 49

Big Shift For Small Farms - Australian Agriculture and Regenerative Farming
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