Why 'The Bee Drover' is doubling down as other beekeepers quit

Sophia Croker, a 23-year-old commercial beekeeper, embraces a nomadic life, trucking hundreds of hives across rural New South Wales and Victoria. Her lifestyle, which involves sleeping under the stars and constantly moving to chase nectar flows and pollinate crops, is a passion she documents as 'The Bee Drover' on social media.

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Nothing about my lifestyle is normal. Who else gets to say they sleep in their swag under the stars every night and they don't know where their next destination is going to be?

Despite her devotion, Croker acknowledges the immense pressure on Australia's beekeeping industry. She questions the viability of her livelihood as a deadly parasite, competition from imported honey, and escalating fuel costs threaten the sector. "The price we get for our honey doesn't cover the cost of production at the moment," she states.

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I'd be lying if I said I haven't sat and gone, 'Is this worth it?'

The arrival of the varroa mite parasite in 2022 has been particularly devastating, wiping out an estimated 60% of hives and drastically altering beekeeping practices. Croker notes that managing the mite has increased her workload fivefold, requiring intensive treatments. "Every beekeeping technique, just throw it out the window," she says, highlighting the dramatic shift.

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The price we get for our honey doesn't cover the cost of production at the moment.

While many beekeepers are quitting, Croker is determined to persevere and educate the public about the realities behind honey production. She represents a fourth generation of beekeepers in her family, a legacy she is committed to continuing despite the significant challenges.

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I knew the moment I found my first mite, it was going to change the way I bee keep forever.