Kaycee Simuong - The Mandarin Bend Farm.

Where and what do you farm ?

Our farm is located 30km inland of Bowraville on the Mid North Coast of NSW, which is about 1.5 hrs drive south-west of Coffs Harbour. We are based at the very top of the luscious and green North Arm of the Nambucca Valley, We have an intensive market garden of abut 3/4 of an acre where we grow about 20 varieties of vegetables and herbs, specialising in the production of greens. 

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

My farming journey started when I became frustrated working as an environmental consultant, where I felt like I wasn’t really having an impact on fixing the world. So being a both a foodie and an environmentalist, I decided I should know how to grow my own food. I quit my job and I found Transition Farm in VIC, where I did a 3 month farm internship and enjoyed it so much that when I left, I started my own market garden a few months later! I grew veggies by myself on someone elses land for just under a year, before moving up to the Nambucca Valley and starting The Mandarin Bend with Tom. 

Is it what you expected ?

Before doing an internship in market gardening, I never believed farming could provide a viable income and lifestyle for myself. However once I was introduced to the world of small-scale intensive market gardening, I could quickly see how I could make it work. The journey has been very tough but rewarding! 

Biggest learning curve so far ?

The biggest learning curve has been the art of learning work-life balance. Farming can be completely life consuming, because there is always something to do… So you can get worn out very quickly if you’re not careful! It has taken us 2-3 exhausting years, before we felt like we could start taking decent holidays and having set work hours. I am starting to feel a lot more balanced and excited with both a profitable farm, and holidays! 

Who / what / why inspired you to get farming?

I feel like farming is the most important thing I can do on this planet to help make it a better place. People need to eat good quality organic produce, and the world needs people farming in harmony with nature. I am happy finding my place in the world, doing something that really matters. Robin & Peter at Transition Farm had a truly inspiring farm. The veggies were so so vibrant and healthy, the highest quality I’ve seen so far on my journey. I have continually aspired to have epic produce like theirs!  

What is your biggest milestone so far ? 

My biggest milestone so far would have to be taking 5 weeks away on holiday for my 30th birthday. It took 3 years before I felt like the farm and business was at the point where we could take a much need rest overseas, and actually afford it! Also starting a collective with 2 other farms (North Arm  Farms) has been a big milestone this year. It has meant we can streamline production on our own farm to grow less crops and share the work load amongst the crew.

What is the dream ?

My dream for the farm is that we will get the market garden to a point where it can operate very profitably with just the input of Tom and myself, doing no more than 40 hours a week, with lots of holidays throughout the year! My bigger dream is that we can inspire more people to become small scale organic farmers and that every one will one day have access to clean, fresh, organic produce!