For Deb Bain, her husband David, daughter Katherine and her partner Ben, the merino sheep farm is more than a business – it’s a living ecosystem where wool production, conservation and pollinator health all thrive side by side.

“The farm has been in operation since around 1839, and the Bain family has been here since 1867,” Deb said.

“We’re here for the long term and we’re really proud of what we’ve been able to create.”

From their flock of fine-wool merinos grazing across the volcanic plains to the acres of conservation grasslands and flower-filled gardens that surround the homestead, every part of the family enterprise is connected.

“We love being here on the farm – having the sheep, the conservation lands and this beautiful garden, it’s a brilliant place to live and work,” she said.

Supporting pollinators, supporting agriculture

As dedicated woolgrowers, the Bains understand that a healthy landscape supports not only biodiversity but also business resilience.

“Pollinators underpin nearly everything we do,” Deb said.

“All agriculture depends on them and we understand that from both a business standpoint and a biodiversity standpoint.”

The family’s approach includes caring for their natural temperate grasslands that shelter some of Victoria’s most threatened pollinator species.

“Pollinator species within those areas are so rare and have such a small ecosystem in which they can live that we feel very fortunate to be able to help them,” she said.

Across the property, they’ve created biodiverse habitats through tree lines, native shelterbelts and flowering hay rotations.

“In our cropping areas, we choose species mixes that are quite biodiverse, like our hay mix, which has lots of flowers to support bees and other pollinators,” she said.

A garden with life

Closer to home, Deb’s sprawling two-acre garden has become a sanctuary for local pollinators.

“It’s always been a passion of mine,” she said.

“I love wandering through the garden and seeing what pollinators are active, whether it’s a two-spotted wasp, a hoverfly, or the blue-banded bees which are the love of my life.”

Her fascination with blue-banded bees began 35 years ago, soon after she first arrived from Canada.

“When I first came to this farm, I saw my first blue-banded bee, I’d never seen anything like it,” she said.

“Since then, I’ve tried to enhance the garden to attract more of them. And over the years, I’ve noticed more blue-banded and leafcutter bees, hopefully because of what we’ve planted.”

That commitment extends beyond the garden to the grasslands, where the family’s conservation work supports native pollinators like the rare golden sun moth.

It also shapes the choices they make in their cropping program. The Bains now include flowering hay and cover crop mixes rich in vetch, radishes, brassicas, lucerne and other species that provide nectar and habitat for insects throughout the seasons.

These biodiverse plantings not only feed the sheep but sustain the bees, butterflies and other pollinators that keep the ecosystem healthy.

“It’s about making sure everybody’s got enough food to eat,” Deb said.

“If we can provide that forage, we can help all the species, like wild honeybees and natives to thrive.”

Partnering with the Wheen Bee Foundation

Deb’s passion for pollinators led her to the Wheen Bee Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to research and education on pollinator health.

“When I first heard about the Wheen Bee Foundation, I looked into it and found the most amazing story of Mrs Wheen and her legacy,” Deb said.

“The Foundation’s work is scientific, practical and really applicable for farmers. It’s helped me learn more about the different bees in our area, what they need, and how to protect their habitats.”

Through the Foundation, St Enoch became officially Bee Friendly Farming Certified, a milestone that Deb describes as both simple and deeply rewarding.

“The process was easy, we answered a few questions, had a chat with the team, and were proud to receive our Bee Friendly Farming status,” she said.

For Deb, the accreditation isn’t just symbolic, it reinforces her family’s broader sustainability values and complements their Responsible Wool Standards certification.

“Consumers want to know their products are produced responsibly, through the animals, the landscape and the people. Being a Bee Friendly Farm really supports that mission,” she said.

A future shaped by biodiversity

Becoming part of the Bee Friendly Farming community has also inspired subtle but meaningful changes on the farm.

“It changes your mindset about every single thing you do,” Deb said.

“You start thinking about what time of year or day you’re doing something – can it be done in a way that impacts pollinators less? Can we use integrated pest management instead of sprays? Can we plant crops that provide more forage?”

These questions are helping guide the next generation, too.

Katherine and Ben are now working alongside Deb and David, continuing the family’s conservation legacy.

“We feel incredibly fortunate to be here,” Deb said.

“To live and work within this wonderful natural system, to hear the birds and the bees and see how the land responds, it’s a great way to live.”

With each new season, the Bain family continues to grow their wool, their gardens and their understanding of how small creatures make a big difference.

“Every day here we learn something new and that’s the best part of farming with nature,” she said.

Watch Deb’s case study here and learn more about the Bee Friendly Farming program here.