Emma grew up on a small mixed farm in Cheshire and has a lifelong interest in the natural world, especially native bees. Bees have always been present in her life; her father David, who is a lifelong member of BIBBA and pupil to Beowulf Cooper, unknowingly planted the seed at a very young age. Emma’s initial interest in beekeeping was galvanised by her show successes as a youngster – achieving several best in show prizes for her products from the hive.
Having attended Reaseheath College and latterly Harper Adams University to study a degree in Agri-Business Management, Emma travelled through Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Even during her travels Emma was able to get hands-on experience in beekeeping abroad. It was here that an interest turned into a career.
Having returned to the UK, Emma developed and took over the family business, Buckley’s Bees, and has since developed a network of integrated local environmental projects with the keeping and breeding of near native bees being a key factor. Buckley’s Bees has established apiaries throughout the UK that sit within diverse landscapes, from extensive organic farms to new environmentally-friendly housing developments. Emma’s holistic approach to establishing these apiaries has not only seen a steady growth in near-native bee colonies but has also helped to realise an overall biodiversity net gain.
Whilst Emma has a particular passion for breeding dark European A.M.M. bees and opposing any importation of bees or queens, this is only part of her ethos. Raising the profile of native bees through education in schools and in the corporate world are high on her agenda, as is providing opportunities for all levels of beekeepers to develop their knowledge and beekeeping skills – work that Emma hopes to continue through her involvement as a BIBBA Trustee.
contact Emma