LIKE all good ideas, the spark for new Leeton business Bidgee Turf was born at the pub.
It was over a few cold ones late last year that three young tradies came to agree they would take on their “mate’s dad’s” turf business.
“At first it was a bit of a laugh but then we thought, seriously, we could have a crack at this,” said Nick Ronfeldt.
Nick, 20, a local electrician; fellow sparky Nathan Symes, 20, and plumber Ben Ashton, 23, got serious on the idea in January. They purchased a turf cutter at auction as well as 2100 square metres of transplantable turf.
With the turf now coming along nicely at Nick’s family’s rice farm at Gogeldrie near Leeton, plans to grow the business are now in place.
“Between the three of us we were able to organise the pipe fittings for the irrigation system and with our skills we’re now working to make it fully automated. We’ve just finished laser-leveling a fresh paddock so come August we will have 12,500m2 of turf growing.”
The three lads tend to their turf each night after a hard day’s work at their respective trades.
“It’s been a very big learning curve for us but we’re lucky we’ve got our parents who can answer all our tough questions. We’re putting all the pieces together.”
