A better way to produce Australian Manuka honey — built on science, ecology and respect for the bee

At Gather By, sustainability isn’t a marketing phrase. It is the foundation of how we produce every drop of Manuka honey. Long before our first jar was sold, we committed to building a production model that protects bees, restores landscapes, supports farmers and ensures Australia can meet the growing global demand for high-MGO Manuka honey without compromising the environment or the next generation of beekeepers.

This is our Sustainable Production model — a complete ecosystem built on science, biodiversity and regenerative values.

Working With Trusted Beekeepers

Healthy bees create healthy honey

Every great jar of honey begins with bees that are respected and protected.

We work with trusted beekeepers who share our commitment to bee health. These are people who:

minimise long-distance hive transportation
avoid over-stressing colonies
do not rely on antibiotics unless legally required
practice integrated pest and disease management
maintain clean, chemical-free hive environments

Long-distance transportation weakens bees, disrupts colonies and spreads pests like Varroa. That’s why we prioritise beekeepers who keep their bees in stable, healthy environments.

Because strong bees don’t just make better honey — they live longer, produce more consistently and help sustain Australia’s food system.

Research-Led Production

From nectar testing to DHA mapping across the east coast of Australia

Our journey has always been grounded in science. Before we planted a single tree, we spent years testing nectar samples from Leptospermum varieties along the east coast of Australia.

The results were groundbreaking:

Northern Rivers NSW produced some of the highest DHA nectar levels ever recorded.
Out of more than 80 native species, 15 were proven DHA-active.
Different species flower at different times, allowing early, mid and late-season harvests.

This research became the backbone of everything we do — matching the right Leptospermum species to the right bioregion, and designing a system that supports bees, biodiversity and consistent high-MGO yields.

What Is the Medicinal Honey Forest™?

A regenerative planting model designed to protect bees and produce powerful honey

The Medicinal Honey Forest™ (MHF) is a world-first regenerative agriculture model created to solve several challenges at once:

declining bee health
loss of natural biodiversity
low beekeeper income
climate volatility
increasing global demand for high-MGO Australian Manuka honey
the rise of Varroa destructor and other pests
degraded or underperforming farmland

At its core, the MHF is a living ecosystem, not a monoculture. Each forest:

includes multiple high-DHA Leptospermum species
combines early, mid and late-flowering varieties
integrates bee fodder species to strengthen colony health
restores biodiversity by rebuilding native habitat
supports soil microbiology, improving the land over time

This combination feeds bees with high-quality nectar and diverse pollen, helping colonies become:

stronger
more resilient
longer-lived
higher yielding

Stronger bees means more honey — but more importantly, it means healthier landscapes.

Biosecure Sites — Protecting Bees and Farms

Minimising Varroa risk and maximising pollination

Every MHF site is designed as a biosecure zone. That means:

No travelling commercial beekeepers are allowed into the apiary.
Local bees remain on-site, reducing exposure to Varroa and other pests.
Farmers retain the benefit of free pollination services across their property.
Local biodiversity strengthens over time through constant pollinator activity.

This creates a safer, healthier environment for bees while delivering enormous value to farmers who would otherwise pay for pollination — or suffer reduced yields without it.

A single MHF can pollinate hundreds of surrounding acres of crops, pastures and native vegetation.

Where We Plant

The ideal locations for world-class Australian Manuka honey

Our research showed the ideal bioregions for high-DHA nectar are:

✔ north of Coffs Harbour
✔ south of Southern Queensland
✔ east of the Great Dividing Range
✔ especially in coastal heath and sandy loams

These areas offer the perfect combination of:

rainfall
drainage
sunlight
climatic patterns
native floral biodiversity

Each MHF is typically 10 to 20 hectares, large enough for meaningful yield, small enough to be manageable, and scalable across multiple landholders.

The Long-Term Vision: 5,000 Hectares, 6.25 Million Plants

Building a new agricultural industry for Australia

Our goal is clear and ambitious:

5,000 hectares of Medicinal Honey Forests across the east coast of Australia.
6.25 million high-DHA plants.
1,000 tonnes of premium Australian high-MGO Manuka honey annually.

This isn’t just about meeting global demand — it’s about building:

a new diversified income stream for farmers
long-term regenerative land management
restored native ecosystems
healthier, more resilient bee populations
a globally recognised Australian Manuka industry

Every MHF site creates habitat, increases pollinator activity and brings back native flora and fauna that would otherwise disappear under monoculture.

Restoring Australia’s Native Ecosystems

Bringing life back to degraded landscapes

Much of the land we plant on has been:

overgrazed
cleared
chemically treated
nutrient-poor
mono-cropped
ecologically depleted

By planting high-DHA Leptospermum and diverse fodder species, each MHF begins healing the landscape:

more insects return
more birds return
soil carbon increases
microbial life strengthens
water retention improves
biodiversity accelerates

It is a long-term transformation — but every year, the land becomes richer, healthier and more productive.

A Diversification Option for Farmers

A model that regenerates the land and generates income

Australian farmers are under pressure: climate volatility, rising costs, falling commodity prices and increasing risk.

The MHF provides a new alternative:

low water usage
low ongoing management
high-value output
long-term resilience
restored soil and biodiversity
guaranteed off-take agreements
participation in a premium global industry

It is not another monoculture. It is diversification, regeneration and profit aligned.

A Sustainable Production Model for the Future

Healthy bees, restored ecosystems and some of the strongest Manuka honey in the world

This is what sustainable production looks like to us:

stronger, healthier bees
reduced Varroa exposure
free pollination for farmers
regenerative planting
science-backed species selection
high, consistent MGO levels
restored native ecosystems
community-based agricultural partnerships

And in the process, we produce Manuka honey ranging from everyday strengths to ultra-rare MGO2000+ and MGO2200+ — not by exploiting bees or land, but by supporting them.

This is the future of Manuka honey production.
This is the future Australia deserves.
And this is the model Gather By will continue to build — one forest, one jar, one farmer at a time.