Things are buzzing at Greystone Acres – beehive therapy among them

FERGUS – You can hear highway noise off in the distance. You can hear wind or rain if there is any.

But mostly what you hear in the tiny hut on Sybille Hamilton’s property is bees.

Not only are they hard at work making honey, their buzzing, when heard collectively, is soothing, hypnotic and may be able to reduce anxiety.

Hamilton knows the research is scant. But she also knows beehive therapy has been around since medieval times and is very popular in some European countries.

And anecdotally at least, it seems to work, she said in an interview at her 16-acre property on 2nd Line just outside Fergus.

“People tell me it’s incredible,” she said. “Some people fall asleep. Some people come out in tears. They all tell me it’s a unique experience.

“I’m not a therapist but I believe the effects are therapeutic.”

Inside the hut are two cots built over the bee hives. The bees are outside in the hives safely separated from the cots by screens. So you hear the hum but don’t get stung.

And being immersed in the sound, described by some as “pink” noise rather than white noise, is said to lower blood pressure, improve the respiratory system, clear your head, and it can help with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Hamilton bought her property, called Greystone Acres, about six years ago after her 32-year marriage fell to pieces and she along with it.

“I didn’t know what to do with myself,” she said.

She decided to move closer to her kids, who are in the Guelph/Rockwood/Centre Wellington area. When she saw this property, she fell in love with it.

It has a historic farmhouse on the site, an old bank barn, a silo and acres of black walnut trees.

Over the past six years she’s added to the existing orchard, constructed a
vegetable garden, chicken coop, an area for goats and lots and lots of pollinator plants.

And at the urging of a friend, she tried her hand at beekeeping. She fell in love with that too.

She has 14 hives now and growing. The bees help her food grow; her trees and flowers and vegetables help feed the bees; and there is more honey than she knows what to do with.

A couple of years ago she sold some honey at the Elora Farmers’ Market and now she keeps a regular booth, with honey, in-season vegetables, products made from the black walnuts, and flower seeds from her crop at home.

But she’s becoming known as the bee lady at the market, bringing a portable hive so people can learn about bees.

“People have a thirst for that knowledge,” she said. “People want to know.”

The beehive therapy hut and the six hives under it are new. Next year the hive will have matured, and the smells of bees will join the sounds for those who want to try bee therapy for a full, sensory experience.

She also has some goats. People who’d like to try goat therapy can enjoy walking the goats on the trails Hamilton has created, sit by the quiet pond she installed, and enjoy the property.

The silo has great acoustics and one day she might offer sound therapy in there. Right now, there are musicians who want to record in the silo. There’s a lot going on at Greystone Acres, and a lot on offer.

“My therapist really pushed me to reinvent myself,” she said. “You find your community through sharing. So that’s what I’m doing.”

The space can be rented for small weddings and events, for photography shoots and unique events.

Breath of the Hive sessions are offered May to October and can be booked for 30, 45 or 60-minutes for one or two people. They’re free to first responders to mitigate emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.

And Grounded with the Goats is offered at per-person rates for one-hour sessions.

Bring a picnic lunch and linger on the property that is peppered with antique farm implements.

Hamilton is also holding a fall open house on Oct. 4 from 11am to 3pm. Visit greystoneacres.ca for more information or to book an appointment.