There is much discussion and evidence about changes in Australian agriculture as family farms are sold off – either to other families who need bigger operations or to corporations into mega agriculture.

There is another dimension of this story in Australian farming that receives little attention but is increasingly important to Australians and our way of life for the coming centuries.

A remaining issue is the challenge of succession; namely that the adult children of farmers often want different lives and careers outside of agriculture and so are not interested to continue a farming enterprise. For some families, the current farm is too small for the split of assets between children.

Such is the case for Ron and Sue Watkins in south-western WA.  They would have loved to pass their certified organic farm on to at least one of their children.

Instead, they are now looking for a young family to take over what has become one of the finest examples of regenerative farming in Australia today.

As a young couple, Ron and Sue moved back to what was his traditional family farm in the 1970s. It was only then Ron was confronted with his mother’s difficulties growing her veggies and fruit trees.  What began as a water and salinity issue to be solved, led Ron on a wonderful journey over the last 40 years towards sustainability – the health and wellbeing of his land, his animals, the food he produces – for Australians every week.

You can now witness his integrated systems of water, soil, climate, human energy, to the production of grains, beef, wool, lamb, eggs, poultry, vegetables. The organic produce coming from the farm is held in high esteem and demand is high.

Ron and Sue’s farm sits in complete contrast to the mono-cultures of massive wheat, beef or cotton farms of industrial agriculture.

A certified organic farm means no industrialised chemical regime; careful assessment of anything brought on to the farm.

What it also means is a way of life that echoes the agriculture of old – a love of the land, a love of the way of life, a place to grow family and foster community.

This is not some pie-in-the-sky-dream or uneconomic way to live.   Ron and Sue have demonstrated that small is indeed beautiful, you can make a living on a farm that works with its natural systems.  A small landholding (552ha) can provide a family with all it needs.

In spite of our mass-industrialised food systems, the market demand for organic food and natural, unprocessed products has increased exponentially. The Australian organics market has grown by almost 88 per cent since 2012. So too, consumers are seeking to know where their food comes from, how it is grown and processed, and the environmental impact. Key figures from the 2018 Australian Organic Market Report show two thirds of Australian shoppers said they started buying organics for personal health reasons, while 12 per cent consider themselves to be ‘highly-committed’ organic purchasers, usually outlaying 40 per cent or more of their food budget on organic food or household products.

Ron and Sue are deeply committed to preserving the legacy of the land and passing on their passion. They won’t simply walk away. As true custodians of the land, Ron and Sue’s greatest gift to the next generation is to mentor and guide them through a transition period. The next family will benefit from Ron and Sue’s priceless wisdom and knowledge.  Their knowledge of what works (and what doesn’t), how to pursue new organic crops or the interests of the new owners based on the market demand, as well as what the land can offer.

The gates are open for vegetables, more poultry and eggs, aquaculture, experiential tourism, training and research.   For the enterprising and innovative farmer, Ron’s farm provides the legacy and potential that cannot be bought elsewhere.

Regenerative agriculture on small farms and gardens is often based on practical ideologies like permaculture, agroecology, agroforestry, restoration ecology, keyline design and holistic management. This is rapidly gaining momentum among the farming community as it is the integration of many approaches that have arisen through the environmental movement in the last 50 years – speaking to all the people worldwide who have wanted a different world, a different way of life to the ever-increasing industrialising of farming through chemical regimes, corporate seed ownership, ever bigger machinery.  The values of working with natural systems, not imposing human will on the land or water systems, but working with the earth’s natural ecosystem to harness what the environment will provide in any one location.

So, whether it is permaculture emphasising natural systems and location; organic certification which focuses on inputs and outputs in land; water systems; soil improvement; natural habitat and biodiversity; all the benefits of these features are now available on Ron’s farm.

Of course, Ron’s farm at Frankland River could easily be sold on the open market, where these opportunities and legacy may be lost.  There has been ample interest from parties wanting to expand their current farm; corporations wanting to exploit all the systems and land; or perhaps those wanting to move into wine or olives.  There are now three award-winning wines in James Halliday’s Top 100 wine list; the region is now being looked at for its community as Margaret River becomes increasingly upmarket and corporatised.

Ron’s main priority  is to preserve the eco capital of the property and pass his farm on as if  to his family; to share his knowledge, to pass it on knowing the young family as committed to maintaining the organic status even if they want to change the mix of production or enterprises to suit their own preferences.

In choosing his buyer Ron has selected The Eco Real Estate Network as the agency to do this work.  This real estate innovator works nationwide only on what it calls environmental properties – property that contributes to sustainability in some way.  Organic farms of course but also suburban and lifestyle homes, conservation and eco-tourism.  Through its partnership programs it works with the property owner to find the next owner.

Extra benefits are available.  For this property there are 4 titles which means innovation financing can come into play.  Eco Real Estate works with investors and consultants who can structure innovative financing for any young family who may need help in obtaining farming finance.  The investors and consultants share the commitment to retaining organic farms in Australia, for them not to be lost to the open market. 

Here is an opportunity for you to be the farmer and ecoprenueur you always dreamed of being.  An outstanding economic and environmental choice awaits you, with an amazing 12 month mentoring and training package.

Gloucester Tops – make the move.

Sustainability is a way of life that may be as simple as taking the time to make purchases that use less packaging. Or, it could be as deep as finding ways to live off the land and provide others with options to purchase sustainable products and services.

Several lots of income streams possible around the food production, eggs/chicken, permaculture training/experiential tourism; showcase sustainable living B&B.

If sustainability is important to you, it can seem overwhelming to know where to make changes or how to find a home that offers sustainable living and sustainable income streams.

Gloucester Tops in NSW is the property found by one couple to start their dream of sustainable living and production. Inspired and charmed by the ever-changing landscape adjacent to the World Heritage listed Barrington Tops wilderness and a climate that feels so close to the sky, they named the home and gardens they built Misty Ridge.

The couple and their family like to think of Misty Ridge as an edible landscape providing many diverse food sources. For example, free-range eggs laid by chickens in their expansive hen house!  With lots of produce sold.

A well-established market garden provides year-round produce for farmers’ markets, retail sales and produce boxes.

Established using permaculture design and low water use, a wicking system has created 95% efficiency of water, yet still produces high yields.

With careful planning and farming practices, the garlic and sweet potato cash crops and market garden as well as the whole property are organically certified by Australian Certified Organic. This is an achievement that many sustainable producers seek to obtain.

The gentle art of bee-keeping adds to their seasonal sales of honey; well known for its unique flavor of the surrounding native bush.

Thanks to the success of the established permaculture farm, Misty Ridge is a place where many people travel to attend workshops and other ticketed events to learn more about sustainable produce farming. For the owners, this has been so valuable and affirming to share their extensive practical knowledge. This experiential tourism on this property is untapped potential for anyone wanting to undertake education and ecotourism enterprises.

There is one major element that makes Misty Ridge so successful in offering sustainable living, income and life—and that is love. There is no doubt about it—this property has been lovingly created and well designed with fully-implemented integrated systems for health and well-being as well as food production.

Although not established yet, Misty Ridge could at some point offer accommodation such as B&B to people and families who wish to spend more time in this amazing place. It really is a place for people to connect with the environment and perhaps learn deeper skills and inspiration to take every-day sustainable practices back into their homes and community.

Visit our Gloucester Tops listing for more information.

Green Change to Beautiful Strawbale Executive Style Family Home on a few Acres

Straw bale homes really are the ultimate alternative for people wanting to consider the eco-footprint of their home on our fragile earth—yet still live in comfort and beauty all year round.

Described as having an “organic feel”, this straw bale home is unusually presented with a stunning executive finish that snubs any hippy hang-ups that alternative building materials may convey.

The minute you step into this straw bale home, you feel enclosed by the softness of the walls, yet the home is spacious with impressively high ceilings and breathtaking views.

It’s a home that is big on enjoying the good things in life with family and friends—like entertaining and hanging around inside and out. The lovely wide veranda is the absolute location for many merry gatherings, with a refreshing dipping pool.

Amongst the numerous benefits of living in a straw bale home is the non-toxic interior environment. The nature of how it is built and what it is built from (straw) means that the walls absorb moisture and are considerably healthier than a conventional interior of painted plasterboard wall.

The internal temperature is comfortably stable inside a passive solar straw bale home, often in the low 20s during winter, and in the heat of summer it remains beautifully cooler—up to 10 degrees cooler than the outside.

The benefits (apart from no electricity bills) of running completely off-grid,  means this straw bale home has great features including lighting and the appliances that all contemporary executive modern homes boast—yet without ongoing additional costs to the family budget or the environment.

What you will love the most about living in this straw bale home—even though it is modern and has the best of the best executive living aspects—are the unique features that are the undeniable nature of straw bale, such as the curved finish between the double-glazed windows and wall; unmistakably hand-crafted and one-of-a-kind.

Make the green change to Scone NSW and the gentle, lovely life in such an unusual and special WOW home.