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BFF Certified

Bee Friendly Farming CERTIFIED

The BFF flagship certification highlights and supports farms, wineries, orchards and other commercial land-use operations that promote and support pollinator health. 

By becoming Bee Friendly Farming CERTIFIED the grower helps preserve and protect pollinator populations by implementing positive, incremental, substantiated changes on agricultural landscapes.

Each BFF CERTIFIED farm is an essential part of keeping pollinators healthy and the food supply abundant, and receives use of our BFF logo and can be featured in BFF news for product promotion.

Before applying, please view the logo use agreement.

Making your application

Before proceeding with your application to be BFF CERTIFIED, please ensure you have downloaded and read the BFF Australia Handbook and checked you have all the required documentation with the Application Checklist.

Download the Australian Handbook
Download the Application Checklist
Apply for BFF Certified
Bee Friendly Farming (Certified)

What are the Criteria for Certification?

  1. Offer forage providing good nutrition for bees on at least 3%* of land. Forage can be temporary, including cover crops.1–14
  2. Provide bloom of different flowering plants throughout the growing season, especially in early spring and late autumn. There is no minimum land coverage for seasonal bloom.15–28
  3. Offer clean water for bees if not inhibited by government mandated water restrictions.29–31
  4. Provide permanent habitat for nesting through features such as hedgerows, natural brush, buffer strips, or bare ground.32–39
  5. Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM); reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals. 40–44
  6. Pay the annual certification fee.
  7. Complete the compliance form once every 3 years (audited by the BFF Australia Task Force).
* Have factors that prevent you from reaching 3%? Let us know and we may be able to work with you to help you meet the certification.
Email info@beefriendlyfarming.org.au

To learn more about BFF Certification, download the Australian Handbook.​

Comparison of Bee Friendly Farming Benefits

Environmental Benefits BFF CERTIFIED BFF GARDEN BFF PARTNER

Delivering what the planet needs:

  • making farm and urban landscapes safer for keystone pollinators
  • supporting biodiversity
  • promoting ecosystem health
  • improving environmental sustainability
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Benefits for the BFF Member
Reducing the reliance, cost and hazards of chemical use through IPM strategies
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Improved production and viability
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Access to BFF team for confidential support founded on the best science for both pollinators and farm crop. This can include planting suggestions, sourcing recommendations, site visits etc.
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Market demand for BFF CERTIFIED products

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Access to grants for free/subsidised trees/seeds to support habitat restoration projects

* Grants will be available periodically and subject to terms and conditions.
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Becoming part of a learning network of like-minded farmers and gardeners
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Become a preferred farm destination for paid pollination services by commercial apiarists because bees on BFF CERTIFIED farms commit to providing a safe environment for bees with access to diverse floral resources that support pollinator health.
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Access to branded hats, signs, etc. on website store
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Monthly newsletter, blog, website, other features to learn from and be featured in
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Partner Benefits

Targeted and high impact investment:

  • Targeting farm land-use practice change has the potential for widespread impact because agricultural businesses operate across just over half (51%) of Australia’s total land area
  • Country and urban landholders share a common interest in terms of their reliance on pollinators to underpin food security and ecosystem health. Urban consumers can be engaged to support positive change through their food buying habits (e.g. choosing BFF CERTIFIED products)
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