About Filberts
Who we are and how we work
Filberts was set up by Philada Rogers to develop and market products from the hive, with the intention of increasing the viability of a beefarming enterprise. The product know-how comes from farmer, beekeeper and cider maker Mark Rogers, who manages 75 acres of Lower Muckleford Farm, near Dorchester. First products were marketed in October 2008.
Having a local market for by-products of the hive helps to improve the profitability of beekeeping for the farm and other beekeepers in the area. It is important to have many people keeping bees to ensure the long term health of British honeybees – and bumblebees – who carry out the essential work of pollination.
The presence of specialist bee crops on the farm has led to a thriving bumblebee population, where they feed alongside the honeybees. In turn, this has increased the number of wild flowers for us to enjoy, and also of wild berries and seeds for birds to feed on through the winter.
Lower Muckleford Farm is in a countryside stewardship scheme and covers about 525 acres, mostly growing cereals. The 75 acres put into bee farming is now in organic conversion and this area includes 35 acres of specialist crops intended to provide high levels of nectar to bees during their working season from early spring through to the autumn. Nectar crops in 2008 were buckwheat, phacelia, sunflower and sainfoin. In 2009, there is sainfoin and a mix of clovers – sweet melilot, alsike and white. The aim is to establish a 4-year rotation of crops grown to organic standards to provide bee forage, followed by harvesting for hay, seed or grain.
As well as the cultivated bee forage, 14 acres are planted to orchards, mainly dessert apples, with some plums and cherries. Research of old maps shows that much of the lower end of the farm was planted as orchards in Victorian times. The replanting includes heritage varieties, like Farmers Glory from Devon and Pitmaston Pineapple, an 18th century variety bred in Hereford. The orchards provide spring forage for bees and the apples will be sold for eating and pressed for juice. The remainder of the 75 acres is down to grassland, where wild flower species are being encouraged. This includes a steep chalk pasture, with nectar banks of scabious, knapweed, St John’s Wort, clovers, thyme and thistle. Field margins and hedges provide further sources of food.
Monkey’s Gift Apiary is the trading name for honey sales from the farm. Where possible, honey is sold as monofloral varieties. All honey is extracted slowly at low temperature (below 49ºC) to conserve the unique flavour and character of the nectar source, as well as its health-giving properties. Small particles of pollen, wax and propolis are retained in most honeys. You can buy honey from local farmers markets, shows and fairs, or by contacting us direct.
Registered Company No 4546095
VAT Reg No 932 997 378