Meet the family
This 5th generation Australian Farming Family is a family of 4, Farmer Dad, Mum (Jill of all trades ) & 2 small children.
We love the farming lifestyle and the kids love helping out with the many day to day activities of busy farm life, especially helping Dad on the tractor - pulling weeds...not so much.
With the average menagerie of cows, sheep, horses, ducks, , dog and a cat, this keeps everyone busy and happy as they free range. Our multiple farms throughout QLD & NSW's supply a large percentage of the Australian avocado market, plus we also farm macadamia nuts, lychees, watermelons, pumpkins, sugar cane and have our own nursery to grow our trees from seed.
We live by 'paddock to plate' and where possible 'seed to plate'. The demand for more quality Australian products that offer real flavour whilst being free from MSG, Gluten, GMO, Sulphites, Additives, Fillers and Preservatives has become so high that we couldn't help but share our own home used range with everyone.
We hope you love our products as much as we enjoy bringing them to you.
Xx Nathan, Julia, Eve & Sam
A bit more about us:
1. How long have you/your family been living and working on the land? What sort of farming do you do?
We are a 5th generation family farming business. My great-great-grandparents farmed sugarcane and all of their land is still being farmed by the Foyster family.
30 years ago, we turned some of the country into potatoes. In those years the prices for potatoes never went up but the costs did every year. So, we decided to turn some of the land into an avocado orchard. This was the best decision we have ever made. We have since bought additional properties, some in FNQ, Casino and Pretty Gully which hold approx. 50,000 avocado trees now. We grow our trees in our own nursery from seed.
Apart from avocados and sugar cane, we also grow macadamia nuts from seed, watermelons, pumpkins and lychees. We have got cattle, sheep, horses, chickens, a dog and a cat.
A few months ago, we created our own spice blends to diversify, complement our farming business and to become more independent from the weather.
2. Tell us about your own personal connection to the land—what does it mean to you?
Our farms mean more to us than just land and a crop, it is our heritage and future.
Working with animals and crops, getting your hands dirty, can heal your soul. Farm life keeps you connected with what really matters in a world dominated by Social Media.
3. What is your favourite part of working on the land? Do you have a particular place/time of day/animal/task that is really special to you?
The best time of the day is around sunset. When the workers have left and it’s just our family working together. Overlooking the fields or walking through the avocado orchards still feels special to us.
4. What does your typical day look like?
There is no day like the other. One day we are food manufacturers and make balsamic vinegar, the next day we are mechanics and fix the excavator or tractor that has broken down. One of the joys of being a farmer is that your wear many, many different hats.
5. What sorts of things have helped you maintain resilience and positivity through trying times?
We are a family business. Knowing that you are working with your family and that you are responsible for them is what gets you through the tough times. We all have one goal and we can’t let each other down.
6. When are you happiest?
When you create success for the family.
7. How would you describe Australian farmers? In one sentence
Resilient, innovative, dedicated and very hard working.
8. What are the biggest threats to your income stream?
The biggest threat is the weather. Our crops have been destroyed by hail, floods, droughts, storms, insects, … And there is nothing we can do about it.
9. What’s the best thing about being a farmer?
Working in nature and the independence of being able to work to your own schedule. It is also a very special feeling when you grow a tree from seed, you nurture it for 5 years and you then get to pick and eat the fruit.
10. What would they like people in the city to know about what they do?
We would like them to know how many different tasks and how much work goes into producing their fruit that they conveniently pick off the shelf. What it is like that the business is at the mercy of so many things that are out of the farmer’s control like pricing and weather.
