SUPPLYING nutritious and healthy food to the locals has been at the forefront of Mary Done's to-do list since she graduated medicine in 1971, having return to farming in Wymah via Albury in 2004 she is now the owner operator of Wymah Organic Olives and Lamb.
Coming into Christmas and the warmer weather Mrs Done says demand has grown, olives and lamb are on the cards for many Christmas lunch’s.
Mrs Done runs chickens, alpaca's, Dexter cattle and Wiltipolls ewes around the many of her olive tree's, she believes in utilising her resources to produce organically and not source outside.
“The left over brine is given to the sheep, they love it and it gives back the salt that is lacking in the soil,” she said.
“I use the Dexter breed cattle mainly to rotate with the sheep, they help control the worms in the sheep mob and being a smaller breed they don'd crush the soil as much, as a bonus their meat is exceptional!”
The Witlshire horn are ideal for slow selling and their shredded wool enchances the carbon in the soil.
"Unfortunately their high quality wool goes wasted in the abattoir as there seems to be no functional leather industry now, I understand that in Europe fine gloves, car seats and clothing are made with this leather."
“If you can do organic I don't see the point in not doing it,” Mrs Done said.
“It's hard to keep on top of everything, especially the weeds considering I don't use pesticides so it is all done by hand or biological control."
“Olives are fascinating marketing wise, small children love them,” Mrs Done said.
The olive trees are sprawled throughout her property varying in age, she says this year the trees have grown differently, a lot for foliage is happening, she believes it must be the enormous amounts of rain the region has had.
"I am excited to see next years harvest and how the olives differ."
“The industry classes my operation as small, but I know the ongoing work certainly doesn't make it feel small," she said.
The olive oil, pitted and unpitted olives, tapenade, pizza sauce and many other olive products have won several award at the 2016 National Olive Association Awards, Mrs Done says the development of slow traditional ways of fermenting the olives as been the best path to take in terms of quality.
“I was really happy with the results after the awards, it goes to prove how different organic olives are," Mrs Done said.
Varieties grown by the kalamata, frantoio and a few other smaller varieties.
The market has since grown since Mary began in local markets, she now has larger sales that ship the olives to Brisbane and Sydney, some have even been packed for Virgin Airlines and hotel outlets.
“I am passionate about organic and I believe there is nothing stopping people go organic, if you can do it then why not I say," Mrs Done said.
Wymah Organic Olives and Lamb will be providing products throughout the festive season, Mrs Done would love to spread her passion about going organic through to the local community.
