Oceania/Antarctic

Why Sustainable Farms? Farm dams, creeks, remnant vegetation, native grasses and rocky outcrops are well-known features of farming landscapes. They are also valuable natural assets. Our long-term ecology research on farms, supplemented by investigations into economics and mental health, shows that protecting and restoring natural assets on farms has multiple benefits. Healthy natural assets support biodiversity and landscape function, which in turn underpin agricultural production. From small, quick projects such as fencing a rocky outcrop, to longer-term investments such as planting a native shelterbelt, natural asset enhancements have something to offer for all farms and farming systems. The Sustainable Farms project is locally embedded, working in the NSW South West Slopes, Central West, Murray-Riverina and North East Victoria. Together with farmers, land managers, NRM agencies, industry groups and Landcare, we’re working towards a common goal: healthy farms, healthy farmers and healthy profits. Our team of expert ecologists based in regional NSW and Victoria conduct long-term biodiversity surveys on farms to understand the role of natural assets. Their work is the continuation of more than twenty years of long-term monitoring in the region. Our field team live and work in regional communities, sharing their ecological knowledge with the community, and learning directly from farmers who are undertaking natural asset management projects on their farms. These conversations sparked the genesis of Sustainable Farms, and help demonstrate the important role biodiversity plays in supporting ecosystem services and farm productivity.

Oranje Tractor was established by the two of us, and a whole lot of friends, family and guests. So, this is our story... With careers in the health field and a comfortable life in the city of Perth, one might wonder why, a couple of decades ago, we packed up and headed south. Some might call it a sea change, but it is really about pursuing one's dreams ...and a little touch of madness! In 2000, after we'd built our sustainable, energy efficient home and established the vineyard, we then opened our doors (and hearts) to travellers using the WWOOF scheme. In exchange for their assistance with myriad tasks around the farm, we provide good food, great wine and a comfy bed. During the past dozen or so years, we have hosted almost 400 such guests, many of which we remain in close contact. You will see a small sample of them below. The couple featured with us in the above photograph are a lovely French duo who have now grown into a family and settled in nearby Denmark (Western Australia). Doing things a little differently, but always with our fellow inhabitants on this planet in mind, has been our motto from the start. You will find us on a continuous sustainability journey - a route that is challenging yet rewarding. Our goal is to craft unique, terroir-specific wine for you to enjoy using practices that care for the earth. We focus our sustainability efforts on four key areas: Regenerative & Organic Farming, Renewable Energy, Recycling and re-use, Revegetation. Our rustic Tasting Room is packed with vintage items and ambient charm, to help you feel relaxed. The tasting room is reached by a gentle meander through our extensive organic gardens, where you'll see a myriad of fruit growing.

Situated at Dumbleyung in southern Western Australia, Eden Valley Biodynamic Farm is owned and farmed by the Lloyd family who practise ecologically-sustainable, traditional agriculture. Eden Valley Farm is an original selection of land that encompasses a total mini-catchment of 1,295 hectares. The property is blessed with natural ridge boundaries to the north, west and south and man-made boundaries made up of either 40 metre road or railway reserves or double fenced shelterbelts. Any remaining boundaries are progressively planted to trees and double fenced to further minimise weed blow in and chemical spray drift onto the property. An integrated surface drainage system harvests water into dams and directs surplus (uncontaminated by fertiliser or chemical) safely from the property via natural drainage lines. Owing to its unique position in the landscape, Eden Valley is an entity in, and of itself, within which microclimate regulation and water table control is possible. The farm’s flour mill processes biodynamic grain grown on the farm into certified baker’s flour, wholemeal, atta, self-raising, rye, barley and pasta flours. Other certified products include whole grains for milling and sprouting, stock feeds of straw, hay and formulated livestock pellets for sheep, cattle, horses and goats, as well as poultry crumble for free-ranging laying hens. Solar power is used on the farm and at the flour mill and provides all the farm’s electricity needs and around 60 percent of the flour mill’s. Eden Valley Biodynamic Farm produce is free of genetic modifications, chemicals and synthetic fertilisers. All produce is hand packaged with the striking flour packaging design, the subject of an award.

Pocket City Farms are working to bring urban farms to Australia’s unused city spaces. For local food, community and education. Running our first farm in Camperdown, Sydney. Pocket City Farms are working to bring urban farms to Australia’s unused city spaces. Pocket City Farms established in 2012 with the aim of establishing a model of urban farming that operates off three main pillars - growing local food, providing education and connecting community. We regard our Camperdown Farm as the first of many - we are working towards establishing or assisting multiple projects throughout Australian major cities. Our long-term vision is to see urban farming as a normal part of our society and urban fabric. Local sustainable food production close to where the bulk of our population live - and can connect with and learn from - is integral in securing a healthy future for our communities and our planet. Our model of farming is multidimensional – we balance growing local and organic produce with the goal of providing education on food and farming, and providing community connection through place and programs. Our first farm is nestled into our local neighbourhood in the inner west. Opened in June 2016, at Camperdown Commons, the farm has become a community hub where you can come and visit the productive ecological farm, pick up some super-local, chemical-free produce, get your hands dirty volunteering, take part in our composting and food forest programs, attend a range of workshops, events, and yoga classes, and bring your school, corporate or community group for a tour, talk or workshop. Importantly, the farm is a place to visit, enjoy productive green space in the city, dig your hands in the soil, and learn all about where exactly our food comes from and how it’s grown. The bowling greens have been converted into 1200m2 of market garden using organic practices to grow vegetables, herbs and salad greens. A greenhouse has been established to grow seedlings for the market garden and for sale to the public, and a 16m3 compost unit has been established for a composting program to turn over food scraps from the restaurants and cafés we supply. The street verge of the farm has also been planted out with edibles and is growing into a lush 180m2 food forest that provides free food for the local residents.

Food production needs to be increased, and it needs to be done sustainably. At Sprout Stack, we grow the highest quality vegetables, while minimising the impact on the environment. We use a combination of the latest technologies available to achieve maximum freshness, taste and nutrition. Because we grow indoors, we can precisely control every aspect of the growing environment, resulting in consistent great quality and shorter growing cycle. Perfect growing conditions also allow us to grow without the use of any pesticides or GMO varieties. We use energy efficient LED lights to provide our crops with the ideal light recipe year round, so there is no seasonality or cloudy days. An automated irrigation system makes sure our plants don’t get thirsty and have all the nutrients they require to thrive. The best part is that we use 95% less water than traditional growing systems. Our farms are modular and can be placed closer to you, reducing the food miles and keeping a smaller carbon footprint.