Emily & Simon Little – Old Hill Farm

Who are you? Where and what do you farm?

We farm 111 acres on NSW’s Mid-North Coast, in beautiful Bobin. Here we raise pastured lamb and grow Australian hardwoods for timber (we even have an on-farm mill!). We were both always really passionate about food, ecology, and creating local food communities froma young age. As we got older we both developed more specific goals. Simon for forests and regenerating food landscapes and Em for ethical animal husbandry and agroecology.

How did you start your farming journey / what led you to it? 

When we met at uni, sparks flew and we thought, “Whelp! May as well go into it together.” Pretty much on our first date or soon thereafter the idea of Old Hill Farm was born.

Is it what you expected?

There have been innumerable challenges from accessing land, having little capital,unbalanced and worn out soils, not actually having a house on our land, as well as the usual unpredictable weather, sickness, and those brutal Australian summers (we’re both gingers so the sun is not our friend)!

Who / what / why inspired you to get farming?

We are always inspired by regenerative farmers who speak about growing better, not necessarily bigger: Joel Salatin, JM Fortier, Jodi Roebuck, Peter Andrews, PA Yeoman, Geoff Lawton; and we draw strength from our peers, the Deep Winter crew, doing the hard yards here in Australia, people like Sally Ruljancich, Fraser Bailey, and Tammi Jonas. Whether international or home grown, the people growing regeneratively are on the same mission. 

What is the dream?

The dream is to eventually have a carbon negative cottage on site and work up to a two-acre market garden over the years. In time we’ll sell our pastured lamb direct to our local community and restaurants along with the fresh veggies. All the while regenerating and protecting our degraded rainforests and growing timber for conversation and shade for the sheep. We’re getting there, everyday another step in the right direction!