Nannup apiarists go in quest for the sweet nectar of life

Simon and Sarah Green welcome me to their alluring property in Nannup, where they have resided for the past six years.

An instant sweet scent of honey hits my nose in the relatively new packing room.

Sarah shows me their large labour-saving honey decanter – a machine that filters mass quantities of honey in quick transition.

"It took me an hour from start to finish to jar up 100kg, whereas that would've taken me all day,” she says.

What began as a hobby with a bit of income for the Greens a mere two years ago has become the bedrock of their daily lives as apiarists.

"From what we do now, it would be a physical impossibility to keep up with the demand,” Simon says.

"We had to get this [decanter] so we could actually fill up enough to jar up orders."

After tying the knot in 2009 and settling down, they opted for country life and to start a family. Now with two young children, the great outdoors was a huge factor in their lifestyle choice.

"It was down to the environment. Somewhere the kids could run around and have access to good food,” he says.

Sarah says people have built up an appreciation and understanding of where good-quality honey comes from.

They are in reaching distance of neighbouring towns, including: Bridgetown, Margaret River, Donnybrook, Busselton, and Manjimup.

"We're pretty much in the heart of the South West in terms of distribution."

Simon's dad is an apiarist and taught him his beekeeping skills.

“His input is reducing has he gets older, but he is still the cornerstone of our business. We consult him on everything,” Simon says.

Next door to the workshop is the Greens' humble abode, where both their kids were born by water birth. We take a walk around as they explain their business mindset to me.

"We have the same ethos that we've maintained all the way through which is the rawest and purest honey presented," Simon says.

"We don't use any antibiotic or chemicals in our beekeeping. We use organic methods to get the best possible product."

Simon and Sarah have fallen in love with Nannup and the community.

"It's a pretty awesome little community."

There is mulberry, raspberry, lemon myrtyl trees, and various herbs that catch my eye. The Greens also make their own tea blends. Lemon myrtyl is in demand, it is a flavour they add to their creamed honey.

They have a stall at the Boyanup farmers market every fourth Sunday of the month.

Simon says running the business is a 24/7 commitment.

“You're always thinking about it or doing something to do with it. We're here for the long haul."

As an introduction to beekeeping for budding apiarists, Southern Forests Honey will host a number of beekeeping workshops. The first Honey for Home workshop will be held on October 30 at Nannup Brook Farm.

The interactive workshop will cover beekeeping equipment, science of the honeybee, building and maintaining new colonies, basic queen rearing, and honey extraction. A light lunch is included in the $150 day package.

Bookings are essential, email: info@southernforestshoney.com.au