In this edition of our members’ stories, we spotlight beekeeping as an inspiring example of how agriculture not only exists in harmony with nature but also plays a vital role in protecting and enhancing biodiversity.

May brings global attention to nature, with several International Days dedicated to its protection—International Day of Plant Health, World Bee Day, and the International Day for Biological Diversity, the last celebrated under the theme “Harmony with nature and sustainable development.”

Against this backdrop, and in light of the recent WFO submission on the Climate and Biodiversity Nexus, we take a closer look at how our members are restoring and protecting biodiversity on the ground, with a special focus on beekeeping.

Following the first-hand experience of young Italian farmer Luca Bianchi, this article showcases how beekeeping can be a driving force in safeguarding and promoting biodiversity while securing a prosperous future for farming systems.

More Than Just a Buzz: Bees Sustain Biodiversity and Benefit Agriculture

Luca Bianchi is a participant in the fourth edition of the WFO Gymnasium Programme, National Vice-President of WFO Affiliate, Associazione Giovani Imprenditori Agricoli (AGIA), and President of the AGIA Marche. He runs an organic farm in Italy’s Marche region, where his main activity is beekeeping.

For Luca, farming is about working in balance with nature:

“My farm was founded in the mountains of the Marche hinterland, where we grow our own organic cereals and practise organic, stationary beekeeping, in full respect of the environment and natural rhythms.”

Photo credit: ©Luca Bianchi

Beyond producing honey, pollen, and other hive products, the farm is dedicated to protecting and sustaining biodiversity. The bees—and all pollinating insects—play a key role in this mission through their pollination services.

Reflecting on the synergy between agriculture and beekeeping, Luca highlights how bees’ work directly improves both the quality and quantity of harvests—a benefit he believes could be scaled more widely:

“Every farm could collaborate with professional beekeepers to ensure this synergy, support the survival of bees, and improve the quantity and quality of its crops.”

At his farm, the bees stay put and collect nectar only from local flowers—a deliberate choice that not only enhances local biodiversity but also enables the monitoring of environmental quality, making the bees true “ecological sentinels”.

Photo credit: ©Luca Bianchi

This ethical and holistic approach has measurable environmental impacts:

• It supports the natural pollination of crops and wild plants.
• It maintains the biodiversity of the mountain ecosystem.
• It avoids artificial bee relocation and chemical treatments, reducing environmental impact.

But the benefits don’t stop at the environmental level. Luca also points out the economic value of this model:

“But the impact is also economically sustainable. We process our honey into high-quality products, sold directly to consumers and selected by Michelin-starred chefs. We have created a circular model in which caring for the environment becomes an economic value.”

Photo credit: ©Luca Bianchi

At Luca’s farm, the initiative “Your Company Saves the Planet“ invites businesses to support organic beekeeping as part of their ESG strategies. It’s a way to generate shared value for companies, the environment, and local communities.

“We believe in agriculture that regenerates nature and can, at the same time, build a solid future for those who practise it,” stresses Luca.

Watch the video to hear directly from Luca Bianchi about the incredible role bees play in contributing to both biodiversity and agriculture.

Cover photo by ©WFO