Vision and Values

We’re called For The Love Of Bees because if the environment is safe for bees, it’s safe for humans. Bees are a vital part of our food production, their decline signals the greater vulnerability of our current food system.

For The Love of Bees began in 2016 when Sarah Smuts-Kennedy was commissioned by Auckland City Council to create a new Social Sculpture centred around bee welfare. For the Love of Bees is the work that emerged from this invitation.

Inspired by collectively imagining a city safe for bees and growing pesticide-free flowers, For The Love of Bees has evolved into a not-for-profit trust focused on teaching and modelling regenerative organic horticulture. In the face of biodiversity loss and the climate crisis we work to inspire change in our food system; growing food that is safe for our pollinators, our people and our planet.

We have been a registered charity since 2018.

Purpose

Catalyse the transformation of food systems for good

At its heart, For The Love Of Bees’ purpose is to transform food systems for equitable good.  We act as catalysts to inspire change by working with innovative regenerative soil science, communities, local government, and commercial organisations alike.

We believe that people have the power to address some of the most pressing challenges we face.  The threat of climate change, food security, health inequity, and ecosystem damage can be tackled with restorative horticultural practices that are better for both people and the planet.  We focus on developing the capacity of the next generation of farmers to grow radical hope through food.

Mission

Teach and model restorative horticulture to inspire change

For The Love Of Bees works to catalyse the transformation of food systems for good by teaching restorative horticulture.  Restorative horticulture is a way of growing food that works with nature to grow healthier food that restores the ecosystems in which they are grown.

We educate communities through our Earthworkers programmes and help them develop capacity through our CoRLs (Centres of Restorative Learning). With on going mentoring our alumni are turning their farms into models of what is possible. By collaborating with a diverse range of people and partners, we work to inspire and effect collective change and optimism from the grassroots level to government.

Vision

People are empowered to grow for better

For The Love Of Bees believes that challenges like climate change can only be addressed with collective action across all levels of society. By catalysing the transformation of food systems for good, we hope to empower people to grow for better.  For better health, better equity in our food systems, better ways of looking after our environment.

There is no Planet B.  For people and the planet to thrive, we recognise that the challenges we face together must be tackled together. We empower individuals and institutions alike to grow radical hope through food as we collectively strive towards a better world for us all.