Sometimes I doubt what we are doing, I watch footage online of some very large mechanised farms producing organic veggies in a way that just doesn’t inspire me. Which makes me feel very confused, why should I condemn the mass scale industrialisation of organic farming, when I strongly believe the removal of chemicals from our food system is undoubtedly better for the environment and human health. I can see a future where the ‘Get Big or Get Out’ mentality that destroyed and continues to destroy untold numbers of smaller family farms, will inevitably pervade the organic farming community (It has already begun). Where too then for my family when the price of organic food only allows large industrialised farms to participate. Do we step onto that treadmill of aggressive and unrelenting competition? Do we chain ourselves to the wheel of efficiency and lowest cost?
Posted on December 03, 2024
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I hate admitting it, but though I love the beach in summer, I dread growing vegetables during the warmer months. I’m really trying hard to get along with nature's unpredictable mood swings this time of year. To be fair she has been quite forgiving so far, but the wet weather has been too much. I can feel the weeds growing around my ears and the almost unstoppable Cluster Caterpillars have arrived like the Spanish Amada during its attempted invasion of England in 1588. Flea beetles are multiplying faster than the mosquitoes buzzing around our face every time we open the doors. Most of the green leafed veg are looking like they’ve been used for target practice by someone wielding a shotgun.
Posted on November 26, 2024
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What started with a phone call from a young man looking for a new adventure roughly 8 months ago, has grown into a close friendship and a new family member. You may have seen his face on our socials during harvest or when we were building the coolroom, or maybe you've tried out one of his simple yet delicious recipes? His name is Lochie and he has joined our family here on the farm with his dog Vinnie and hopefully very soon his partner Liana. This introduction is clearly late, but in order to give credit where it is due, Lochie’s passion for all things connected to a love of good food has inspired our latest Sohip event. At first his idea was to hold a small dinner party with friends and family, where he would cook a delicious meal for everyone to enjoy, with produce from our farm and the farms that surround us. But there was a deeper desire to hold something bigger, but that wouldn't add too much pressure to what is already a busy time of year for us farmers (Spring).
Posted on November 12, 2024
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That's right, the large scale corporate owned farms are starting to move into organic farming based upon growing consumer demand. What started out as a bunch of hippies that most would roll their eyes at is now becoming more mainstream. Thanks in part to the growing concern of chemicals used in farming (including GMO) and the health implications being more frequently exposed. Demand for organically grown food is increasing and where there's money to be made, you can be sure big business will be knocking at the door. But money drives the wrong incentive, it drives the lowest cost and disregards flavour. Organic farming is all about flavour, because this is our tongue telling us the thing we are biting into is healthy and full of nutrients...
Posted on November 05, 2024
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I was asked by a friend, why did you choose to farm organically. I had never asked myself that question, but upon thinking of my response, I realised that I would not have chosen organic farming in my mid to late twenties. I would have farmed with chemicals, because all I was focused on back then was pure production and efficiency. Now after pondering that question, it was a subconscious choice, that only could have occurred after receiving 3 of my greatest gifts; finding the love of my life, bringing 3 wonderful girls into this world, and spending quite a few year of introspection finding out what really mattered to me...
Posted on November 01, 2024
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Spring is in full swing here on the farm, nature's symphony of Springtime sounds are reaching their summit. We have left the fields that surround our vegetables grow tall, allowing each unique plant to blossom. A walk around our farm in the afternoon, as the sun falls slowly behind leaves rustling softly with the final breath of the day's stiff southerlies. Reveals the stunning array of colours and contrasts that only an evening sun can induce. Spring is so alive with energy, if you sit quietly, watch and listen, it’s as if each little patch of nature you zoom into is like a small bustling city. As I crawl around on my knees, turning over patches of mulch, I enter another city bustling like Times Square at peak hour. I spend so long rummaging through the clover and grasses, once I finally look up, I realise the insects and birds have become slightly less wary and are now going about their business surrounding me on all sides...
Posted on October 23, 2024
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I had coffee with a good friend last night. This woman is a very special person, what she has endured inspires me relentlessly. She believes farming was the reason she was put on this earth. Her connection with her cows can only be compared to a mother's connection with her children. This one page newsletter is nowhere near enough to cover even the briefest history of trials and tribulations in her life. But what I want to share with you is just a small piece of her story, so that it may inspire you as it has inspired me. The end of the 2019 drought concluded with the most severe bushfires this country has ever experienced. Smoke trails so large and widespread, the plumes covering our vast dry country could be seen from outer space. Within this period lay the final moments that would have likely broken most of us regular folk...
Posted on October 02, 2024
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Finally our new coolroom is up and running!! We had it commissioned last Monday and it’s running perfectly. This is a major milestone for Sohip and will not only allow us to grow more organic food for our community but save a lot of back breaking double handling. Our new coolroom is also large enough to pack your orders, which means no more 3am starts to beat the heat. We take so much pride in making sure your fruit and veg is as fresh as possible and for over 3 years now we have been rising out of bed well before the birds have woken up, to harvest your veg and pack your orders in the cool morning hours ensuring that freshness you're all use to.
Posted on September 17, 2024
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I spent the morning with Hannam Vale Public School last week. What a pleasure it was to be in front of so many curious kids and their questions. One question in particular had me thinking for the rest of the day. One of the kids not older than 9 had raised her hand and held it there for quite some time. Finally when it was her turn to ask a question she said “how much land do you need to be a farmer?”. My answer was rushed as we were almost out of time, I told her that if you had access to a really popular farmers market and farmed 1 acre impeccably...
Posted on September 13, 2024
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Let’s pretend we live in a world where priority is given to cheap food. Let’s take this notion very seriously, let’s take it all the way to its end goal. That is to say that ‘cheap food’ is valued more than the continuation of the family farm, our bustling regional towns, a decentralised food system and allowing any child to grow food for a livelihood should they choose too when they become adults. What does this future look like? Well apart from some regional areas that become tourist destinations due to their unique natural beauty and proximity to city centres. The rest of the country will be handed over to corporations to grow food and fiber the cheapest way possible. Because this is what they do best.
Posted on September 06, 2024
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