Chloe Harvey never imagined that her passion would lead her to bees. At 26, the New Forest, Hampshire native had studied sports at university, but life had other plans. Today, she’s an Operations Manager in the beekeeping industry through Rowse' beefarming apprenticeship scheme.
A Chance Encounter with Beekeeping
Chloe’s journey began when she started working part-time for The Noble Bee. It was here that she met Simon, the business owner, whose deep knowledge and intuitive understanding of bees left her in awe.
“I was inspired by how much knowledge he had, how he could read the bees just from a few motions, and how he knew exactly how to manage them,” Chloe recalls. “I wanted to have that same ability, and I knew the Rowse Bee a Bee Farmer apprenticeship was the best way to start that journey.”
What started as assisting with beekeeping experience days soon evolved into a hands-on role in honey production. The more she learned, the more she fell in love with the craft.
"The scheme has changed my life. I went from a University drop out with little confidence, limited skill set and no direction in life to having everything"
A Newfound Passion for Sustainability
Through the apprenticeship, Chloe gained a deeper understanding of sustainability and bee conservation. She was amazed at how crucial bees are to agriculture and food production.
“Without bees, crop yields would drastically decrease. Learning about their role changed my perspective entirely,” she says.
This realisation fueled Chloe’s mission to educate others about the importance of pollinators. She’s since been featured on BBC radio and TV, written articles for beekeeping publications, and become a passionate advocate for environmental conservation.
Looking Ahead: A Future Built on Bees
The Rowse apprenticeship didn’t just give Chloe a career—it transformed her confidence and outlook on life.
“I went from a university dropout with little confidence, limited skills, and no direction to having everything,” she says.
Now, Chloe is setting her sights on even bigger goals. She plans to start her own apiaries, create beeswax products, and mentor the next generation of beekeepers. She believes initiatives like the Rowse apprenticeship are vital for keeping the craft alive and encouraging young people to engage with nature.
“Bees are the reason we get to live and breathe each day—we owe them at least a moment of our time,” she says.
Through her journey, Chloe hopes to inspire others to appreciate and protect these incredible creatures for generations to come.
