It’s not every day local personalities hit bookstores nationwide, but for a number of Mid North Coast farmers, including a Kempsey beekeeper, Thursday, February 1 is their day, thanks to being featured in a new Australian non-fiction book titled Small Farm Success Australia – How to Make a Life and a Living on the Land.
The book is being launched at Port Central, Port Macquarie at 9.30am on Thursday, February 1.
Locals feature alongside farmers from across Australia, as well as industry champions like restaurateur Guy Grossi and chef Matt Golinski. They are:
In the Port Macquarie area:
- Daryl Brenton, The Beekeeper, Kempsey.
- Jill and Ian McIttrick, Ewetopia Farm, Ellenborough.
- Ken Little, Ken Little’s Quality Fruit & Veg (giving advice to farmers about how to approach greengrocers).
In the Great Lakes area:
- Casey and Susan Lowick – Blue Coast Oyster Company, Tuncurry
- Vicki Evans – Talawahl Australian Stockhorse Stud, Nabiac
- Joshua Gilbert – Guraabi Downs Brafords. Australian Geographic Conservationist of the Year 2016 and Worimi man, Nabiac
Manning Valley locals featured in the book are:
- Greg and Lauren Newell – Linga Longa Farm, Wingham
- Lyz Taylor – KinSpirit Iris and Day Lily Farm, Krambach
- Neville and Sophia Donovan, GreenPatch Seeds, Taree
- Donna Carrier – Bent on Food Wingham (advice about how farmers can bring their produce to the attention of chefs)
- Dave Flinter, Hand n Hoe Organic Macadamias, Comboyne Plateau
“We interviewed these farmers because of their passion for farming and as an example of their unique approaches to agriculture and life,” said the book’s co-author, Anna Featherstone.
“Their experience is as relevant to established farmers as it is to tree changers who are just starting out and it’s exciting to see the Mid North Coast becoming a hotspot for entrepreneurial small farmers.”
“We wanted to produce a book to illuminate the challenges and opportunities facing small farms,” said the book’s other co-author, Andrew Campbell.
“Many people are thinking about getting back to the land or trying to make a real go of their blocks and with the help of farmers like these, we’ve dug up some great information and inspiration to help them on their journey. It’s a book for tree changers, farmers seeking change and anyone who wants to find their inner agripreneur.”
The book will be available in bookstores and online (locally at Book Face Port Macquarie, Greenpatch Seeds Taree and the Nabiac Nook) from February 1, 2018.