Landseekers: Seeking 1.5acres for farm/community project in Western Sydney
Overview
Two growers with experience in horticulture, conservation and community work are seeking to lease 1.5 acres+ for horticulture in Western Sydney. The farm aims to sell veg directly to customers and run community programs such as education and NDIS support services. Lease for trade or lease for cash preferred. Ready to start ASAP.
Details
Names: Andy & Lilli
Business name: Long Table Produce
Property locations (State, Region, Locality): Within the Sydney Basin - Penrith, Windsor, Kemps Creek, Bringelly etc
Total land size (Acres) required: 1.5 to 2.5 acres
Production type: Horticulture, vegetables
Relevant experience
Andy - Certificate 3 in Conservation and Land Management, 7yrs experience in conservation/horticulture, 4 month internship on a boutique vegetable farm in Hartley.
Lilli - 8yrs experience working in community organisations
What’s the plan for the farm?
Planning to sell vegetable boxes directly to customers using online marketing and social media. Also planning to create social programs with NDIS services, youth programs, aged care services and schools.
Project scope
We would like to produce food while also growing community in Western Sydney, growing high quality vegetables marketed directly to people in our community. Our project is not a community garden - we aim to make the farm operation fully financially sustainable. However we would also like to collaborate with local community organisations to run projects on the site which connect people with food growing, provide environmental education, and foster a sense of connection to place.
We are passionate about the therapeutic value of gardening and growing food, and we are especially interested in facilitating place-based learning for at risk young people. We will be initially working on this project part-time alongside our current part-time jobs, but hope to be working on Long Table full time sometime in the second year.
Short-term goals and vision for project
Aiming to establish the garden and infrastructure this summer and commence running social programs by March 2025.
Proposed farm practices
Bio-intensive vegetable production, inspired by Jean Martin Fortier, Jesse Frost and others
Preferred land share arrangement
Lease for trade or lease for cash (up to $150/week). We would be open to an arrangement where we maintain acreage with our own equipment in exchange for a lease.
Preferred land share duration: 3 years with 6 month trial period
Availability to start - preferred start date: ASAP
Cultivatable area required (acres)1.5. Could potentially grow to 2.5 acres
Preferred soil conditions: Prefer alluvial soil along drainage lines or chocolate clay Cumberland Plains clay soils with reasonable fertility.
Open to residents / owner living on property: Yes
Do you require housing and/or onsite living opportunities: No
Infrastructure plans: We will need to construct 2-3 hoop greenhouses, a small shed for equipment, a wash/pack area and a small coolroom. We are happy to provide all of these things ourselves but the use of an existing shed would be a bonus.
Do you need the land to be fenced?: Yes
Do you require access to farm machinery and tools: No
Water access and availability requirements
Require reliable water access required, and would offer to pay for any water usage
Do you require access for visitors/workers?: Yes
Social account: https://www.instagram.com/longtableproduce/
Business plan, resumes and references available on request.
Contact
Reach out to Andy & Lilli directly at longtableproduce@gmail.com or send an email to our FarmLinks team at farmlinks@youngfarmersconnect.com