Seasonal Vegetables at Mountain Creek Farm? A great business opportunity for the right individual(s), couple partnership, group, et cetera.
We are seeking a person or persons to resurrect the market garden. We have the land, with good soils, lots
of animal manures, and lots of water! All very close to Canberra (20 minutes to
Weston Creek). We don't have the time to run a market garden, but would
like one on farm, so want to offer the opportunity to someone else to
grow (pun intended).
The infrastructure is all in place;
irrigation pipes, take off points and taps. We also have a large amount
of irrigation pipe, connections, filters, drippers, micro sprays and
bits and pieces. The water is gravity fed, and comes from a spring fed
dam, several megalitres in size. We still have lots of water in this
drought. Rabbit and roo fencing is almost complete with a little
maintenance required.
The site is gently sloping with a north easterly
aspect and sheltered from the westerly winds. The land area that could be put to vegetable growing may be several acres, but will most likely be limited by available labour. Soils are friable and high in organic matter, on a decomposing granite /clay base. Soils tests have been completed and mineral rebalancing has occurred. Compost tea brewers (1000 litre) are also on site and available for use.
We envisage someone growing seasonal vegies, and then taking these to the Farmers Markets, restaurants, etc. We can help with garden establishment, as we have the machinery and tools required. We can also help with business establishment if required - paperwork and so on. Hoop houses can also be arranged to extend growing periods. There is a clean caravan on site, that could be used for overnight stays during peak season. Packing sheds and coolrooms could be built as needed, we already have the materials and foundations are in place.
What do we want in return? The garden needs to
be organic/ biodynamic, we will supply the biodynamic preps (made on farm) which we
expect to be applied. We also expect the creation and maintenance of
compost heaps, but you would do that anyway. If all we receive are some downgrade
vegies as payment, that is enough.
So if you know anyone
with a passion for organic growing, that may be interested, please send
them our way. I believe this to be a great opportunty for a self
starter, as there is effectively no dollar outlay. We will need to be
assured of any applicants integrity, so a 'user friendly' selection
process will apply. This is a long term proposition with great potential and we are open to ideas and suggestions.
© 2007 by Michael Croft and Mountain Creek Farm, All rights reserved.