2026 California Small Farm Conference

Restoring Honeybee Populations for Resilient Ecosystems and Regenerative Agriculture.

LocApiary, developed by Apis Arborea, is a watershed-based ecological restoration program that cultivates self-sustaining networks of wild, unmanaged honeybee populations. It applies biomimicry, locally adapted genetics, reproductive isolation, and evolutionary ecology to regenerate both pollinator and farm health—shifting the paradigm from extractive apiculture to self-willed, regenerative systems. Through case studies—including Filigreen Farm’s transition from outsourced commercial pollination to a LocApiary model—participants will explore how the integration of TreeNest habitats, beelining surveys, adaptive management, and “Rights of Nature” principles can enhance pollination resilience and health, preserve genetic diversity in honeybees, reduce dependency on commercial pollination services, and strengthen ecological as well as agricultural systems from the watershed up. More info here.