Tropical fruit orchard and market garden
Overview
Opportunity type: Seeking a farmer to develop market garden business and maintain mature Exotic Tropical Fruit Orchard @bendoftheriver in Tallebudgera Valley, Gold Coast QLD.
1 acre to grow vegetables/fruit/ flowers/herbs and 4 acres to upgrade existing mature exotic tropical fruit orchard and sell the fruit. We are very close to numerous local fruit and vegetable markets on the Gold Coast.
Land size: 5 acres arable, 10 acres non arable.
Short-term vision: To have a young farmer/farming couple use the arable land to grow vegetables or flowers in exchange for maintaining the orchard. Some one like-minded passionate about farming, trees and growing healthy food.
We are looking for someone with horticultural experience who would be willing to take on the maintenance (pruning/ fertilising/ fruit fly spraying etc) and care of the orchard and use/sell/market the fruit, in exchange for their own land to farm and grow veggies etc. There is the possibility of us offering on farm accommodation as well.
Long term vision: My long term vision is to improve the care of the trees and support a farmer/farming couple in:
maximising and selling the fruit harvest for their own gain; and
developing their own organic vegetable/flowers/herb business
joining us as part of the Bend of the River team
Accomodation: Possible large 1 BR cabin available to rent
Current status of the land: Rural, Rural Landscape & Environment Zoning. Orchards and Horse and Goat adjistment, vegetable wicking beds. Previously a dairy farm, the property is now home to 5 acres of well-established exotic tropical fruit and native bush food trees (over 200 varieties) and 5 acres of horse paddocks. The property is bordered by the Tallebudgera Creek. About one third of the land is flood plain, the remaining pasture being well above flood level on a gently sloping hill. This soil is silt-loam and clay and has been enriched over the past 40 years with mulch and compost.
Details
State of the cultivatable area: well-maintained grass with rich alluvial soil.
Road access: 2 well-maintained gravel roads
Electricity access: on town electricity
Mobile phone signal: Excellent
Infrastructure: There is a machinery shed (10x20m), potting shed/greenhouse (with irrigation) and an undercover tractor shelter
Farm Machinery & tools: machinery available but subject to discussion
Water source: Rain, Dam, Town, Tank. Access subject to agreement. The orchard has an irrigation system fed by dam water.
Visitor access: Restricted, by agreement
Other residents on the property: Yes. Caretaker, Landowner and tenants
History of the property: Previously a dairy farm. We have owned the property for over 50 years. My mother, a passionate gardener, started planting exotic tropical fruit trees and Australian Native Bushfood trees over 40 years ago. We now have over 200 different varieties of these trees and need help in maintaining the orchard. Our Black Sapotes, Jaboticabas, Wax Jambus, Lemon Myrtle, Davidson Plums, Yellow Mangosteens and Macadamias grow prolifically and have good retail value.
Preferred production systems: exotic fruit orchard, diversified vegetable, flowers
Preferred farming practice: Regenerative and Organic
Soil details: silt loam with a high level of organic matter
Environmental hazards: Part (about 1/3rd) of the property is flood plain as it borders the Tallebudgera Creek
Preferred arrangement: Lease for trade - look after and maintain orchard in exchange for keeping and selling the fruit, having one acre of fallow land upon which to grow fruit/vegetables/flowers. Willing to provide horse, poultry and goat manure from our farm animals, dam water and use of potting shed. Initial year with annual renewals.
Mentorship: Yes
Expressions of interest
Please submit your interest by email here. For suitable candidates that are forwarded on to the owners, references will be required.
