Charlie Arnott is a biodynamic farmer and grazier, operating his family property ‘Hanaminno’ in Boorowa where his ancestors first settled in the mid 1800’s and his family have now been back in the region for nearly 50 years.
Primarily breeding Shorthorn cattle, with sheep and pigs in the mix, they family farm has just been awarded a 2018 delicious State Produce Award in the ‘From The Paddock’ category for his lamb. The delicious. Produce Awards, now in its 13th year, champions Australia’s best and most innovative primary produce and producers.
His beef and lamb is sold direct to a number of butchers in Sydney, including Victor Churchills in Woollahra and Shiralee Organics in Brookvale.
“It’s important to us that we maintain a connection directly to the people who buy our meat, the ‘eaters’, who love our story and the tenderness and taste of our products,” Charlie said.
“Our livestock are handled with the greatest of care and respect, using animal husbandry second to none. Quite simply our animals are happy, and as a result, our products are the healthiest, most nutritious, clean and sustainable meat you could feed your family.”
Charlie and his team facilitate the education of other farmers through hosting Biodynamic and sustainable farming training courses, and demonstrating how he farms holistically using generative grazing practises to improve the function of the landscape and environment.
“The first step to change is having an open mind, which requires courage and the commitment to a new direction. We help farmers explore alternatives to conventional farming, with wonderful results,” he said.
He is a keen tree planter having established tens of thousands of native and exotic trees on Hanaminno, and has been an active Landcarer since the inception of the Landcare movement in 1989. Charlie has won various land management and sustainable farming awards and is the current Landcare Australia Sustainable Farmer Ambassador. Charlie is also very active on social media (instagram @charliearnott1) and is passionate about sharing his message. So look him up and say hi.