Beechworth Natural Farm in Beechworth, Victoria | Farmers market

Beechworth Natural Farm

Locality: Beechworth, Victoria

Address: 13 Kibell Lane 3747 Beechworth, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.beechworthnaturalfarm.com.au/

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24.01.2022 The sweet potatoes are sprouting and almost ready to have the shoots (slips) taken off so that they can set roots before being planted out when the soil is warm. Crop planning starts the season (or two) before. Last years trial sweet potato crop went in the ground in early January and even with the late planting we still had enough yield to commit to a larger area this year. There are so many slips that we might need to rewrite the crop plan again - it feels like it has been... rewritten weekly since June. #sweetpotato #beechworth #beechworthnaturalfarm #localfood #regenerativefarming #demeterbiodynamic #certifiedorganic #certifiedbiodynamic

23.01.2022 At a guesstimate, approximately 30% of our cucumbers end up in the seconds bucket - a small bite from an insect, blemishes and marks, incomplete pollination resulting in poor filling. A similar story could be told about our other crops - ducks nibbling the pac choy, tomatoes marked or split, forked carrots, the list goes on. The reality of the food system across the board is that any produce that is blemished or marked, not straight, too long, too short, not uniform and cylin...drical doesn’t make it to the consumer. Even amongst consumers who are conscious about food wastage, we have seen the ‘nicest’ looking produce taken first. As a producer, ‘2nd grade’ produce has the potential to devalue. It would impact on perceived quality. This is a conundrum that we are sure many/all other growers across the country have. So our strategy this year is to: - pickle for ourselves (this will solve the problem for 2 weeks...) - continue to share the excess in the community, and build on a relationship with Quercus Beechworth who have previously been able to distribute some of our produce to members of the community - use our local food swap - feed the worms If you’re a food processor and want to reduce food waste and access flavoursome Bio-Dynamic produce (zucchini, cucumber, tomatoes, eggplant, capsicum, carrots to name a few) then we would like to partner with you too. #beechworthnaturalfarm #demeterbiodynamic #organicvegetables #waronwaste

23.01.2022 A new old spinner In our first year we spun by hand power with a spinner from Steve Oke, formerly of Swaraj Harvest - a Certified organic farm in Stanley, now doing great deeds as @ecologicalbuildingdesign Then we upgraded to a converted washing machine with a removable food grade tub, made and formerly used on a Biodynamic market garden by John Bradshaw, author of Biodynamic Growing, a great resource if you ever want to learn more about Biodynamics.... And now Darren from Vortex Veggies, a Biodynamic Farm in Inverleigh has parted with his spinner. It needs some grease and a bit more TLC to get it running reliably but for now it is spinning our salad mix Yes, salad mix is back - available in our veggie boxes by preorder, or in 100% @biobag_au compostable bags ... until sold out from @almarorganicsalbury and @goldfieldsgreengrocer ... now we have to keep the kids off the spinner

22.01.2022 It can be easy to get bogged down in the daily grind, to feel like the progress is too slow, to be worried about how much has not been done - and how much more there is to do. We’ve just made a somewhat spontaneous, hopefully somewhat thought out change to the farm layout. On a triangular shaped block, we are finding it increasingly difficult to work with small leftover triangles - so we’re extending out a green crop through a new section. Through the middle is a section tha...t is representative of the soil when we first started on the farm. The soil fractures into large chunks, there’s no air, and the seed has struggled to germinate and then grown. On either side is a lush green crop growing in a soil developing structure - it is full of air, has a crumbly texture and has changed colour from reddish to brownish. It still has a long way to go, but we’re getting there. It has been refreshing to see the evidence of 3 years of building soil, getting air in the ground, introducing microbes through the use of Biodynamic Prepared 500, and successive mixed species green manure crops. We are thankful that we have chosen the Australian Demeter Biodynamic Method of farming. There are certainly challenges but are glad to have this reminder and opportunity to observe the difference the method makes. It’ll keep us going, when it hasn’t always been easy

22.01.2022 Fresh basil It’s been a long wait, and not a minute too late. We’re almost out of frozen pesto Pizza on the menu tonight and basil everything until April... #beechworthnaturalfarm #demeterbiodynamic #freshbasil #summerishere #communitysupportedagriculture #inyourveggieboxthisweek

22.01.2022 Get your salad mix fix now available @wangarattawholefoods Thanks Jerry and Kacey for your wholehearted support of organic and biodynamic produce Packed by Jerry in convenient cellophane bags (made of cellulose), home compostable and biodegradable ... #beechworthnaturalfarm #saladmix #demeterbiodynamic #organic #localfarmer

19.01.2022 Seats still available for this fundraising dinner next week on Tuesday 11th February at Tanswells hotel - so book yours ASAP Our produce will feature in some of the courses: - Just beetroot and zucchini (beetroot and zucchini) - True blue honey carrots (carrots and fennel)... - Eggplant stuffed pepper (eggplant, capsicum, basil and tomato) A huge shout out to Jed and Padraic for organising this (sorry it won't tag you), and even more for your emphasis on local and seasonal produce.

19.01.2022 Our temporary nursery has already seen a fair bit of weather. Finished 2 days ago just in time for a long hailstorm yesterday and a cold snap - where did that warm weather go? After 3 years of running plants in under cover with every frost or thunderstorm we are glad that we will finally be able to just watch the weather. This tunnel will protect our seedlings until the November Beechworth Farmer’s Markets.... Pat doesn’t usually like temporary, not perfectly planned, not straight structures but he was kind enough to turn a blind eye to all the things that are bothering him about this set up. #beechworthnaturalfarm #seedlings #demeterbiodynamic #organicseedlings #hailstorm #rainbow #unpredictableweather

17.01.2022 39 degrees and hot winds on the forecast today. Pat’s been up a few times since 4:30am to double and triple check the water. Fingers crossed the plants make it through the day Also thinking of our friends and other farmers west of us in the Code Red regions of Victoria. Stay safe #beechworthnaturalfarm #demeterbiodynamic #hotandwindy #thankfulforourwater

16.01.2022 Happy healthy soil = happy farmer. Back in June we had a dig in the paddock and saw the greatest transformation in our soil yet. We could see the original red dirt developing a brown colour to 20cm deep, the soil was sticking to the plentiful roots, and there was nitrogen being actively fixed by the legumes, seen as pink nodules on the roots. There’s two parts to soil assessment.... 1) Structure: One of our fellow Demeter Biodynamic vegetable growers @saveoursoil has described good soil structure as chocolate cake - and this analogy has stuck! A good crumb, airy and not dense, and soil that holds together. When we break soil apart it doesn’t fracture because it has structure 2) Soil tests/analysis. There are debates as to whether this is necessary in a Biodynamic system so we won’t enter into that here. We will say that our test results this year show a significant improvement across the board compared to last year. The pictures green cover crop has further improved our soil and has now been turned in. Veggies will go into the ground in a month or so.

16.01.2022 We have new spots available for weekly and fortnightly vegetable boxes. Over summer, these boxes will have typically have tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, basil, capsicum, eggplant, beans, salad mix, lettuce and rainbow chard. We will also throw in garlic, carrots, beetroot, potatoes, corn, melons, pumpkin, fennel, coriander and other seasonal vegetables as they are available. All produce is grown on our family farm - a certified Demeter Bio-dynamic farm. We use Enhanced Organ...ic methods to produced vegetables that are full of flavour and grown as nature intended. If you are looking for food that is: - healthy, free of pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilisers, - full of flavour, - grown sustainably to improve soil and reduce carbon emissions and - local with low food miles then look no further. January boxes are $60 each, pick up is from our farm. Harvest day is Monday, with Thursdays to be added during peak production. Secure your spot online at www.beechworthnaturalfarm.com.au/collections/vegetables or send a message and we will contact you.

16.01.2022 It is time to make the most of this fantastic spring weather Certified Organic Seedlings available from the farm gate on Saturday 9:30-12pm Our seedlings are grown in a certified organic mix, this gives them strong healthy roots. They have not been force fed or weakened by any artificial fertilisers. ... #beechworthnaturalfarm #certifiedorganicseedlings #demeterbiodynamic #localbusiness

15.01.2022 Summer Vegetable Boxes - subscribe now! Weekly and Fortnightly subscriptions available - read all the details here. https://mailchi.mp/0a77283c86b4/farm-newsletter-6478608

15.01.2022 Snow peas in the snow

15.01.2022 The cool change has brought in smoke from neighbouring valleys. Thankfully we only have smoke to deal with. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have evacuated, lost all their hard work and memories. It’ll be essential jobs only and the daily harvest of zucchinis, cucumbers, tomatoes and eggplants. ... #beechworthnaturalfarm #climatechangeisreal

12.01.2022 #eattherainbow in this week’s veggie box For the first time in ages, we have spots available, so if you’d like to join the #beechworthnaturalfarm veggie eating community then secure a spot www.beechworthnaturalfarm.com.au/collections/vegetables or send us a message Help us build a #healthycommunity, eat more veggies to #reduceyourcarbonfootprint and support your #localbusiness and #familyfarm

10.01.2022 Veggie boxes this week: carrots, beetroot, leeks, garlic, zucchini, basil, coriander, rainbow chard, rocket, salad mix, red oak leaf lettuce and butter lettuce. #beechworthnaturalfarm #vegetablebox #decembervegetables #eatseasonal #communitysupportedagriculture #northeastvictoria #seasonalvegetables #demeterbiodynamic #organic #regenerativeagriculture

08.01.2022 Our online store is back up and running - order by 10am on Sundays so that we have time to collate, pick and pack your order for a Monday afternoon pick up from our farm gate A few things to note in regards to COVID-19: - veggies will be packed into new single use cardboard boxes - hand hygiene and social distancing compliance is essential at pick up... - deliveries available only within the Beechworth township at this stage for a $5 fee Happy online vegetable shopping and happy organic vegetable eating

08.01.2022 Repost from @australian_demeter_biodynamic It’s world soil day today Growing healthy and flavoursome food starts with healthy soil ... Healthy soil means: - soil that is full of life / teeming with microbes. The microbes bind nutrients into the soil to create soil humus - soil without herbicides such as glyphosate. These are often the same chemical make up as antibiotics - they kill everything, even the good microbes and the soil becomes ‘dead’. Herbicides are often systemic - they get into everything and can’t be ‘washed off’ - soil with plenty of air in it. Microbes need air to survive. Slow deep ripping and aeration with a fork can get air in without damaging the soil. Discs and rotary hoes have the potential to destroy soil structure. Using tarps for weed management can be likened to putting a plastic bag over your head and the microbes won’t be able to breathe. - carbon is being stored and recaptured, which is better for the environment and climate change - soil that is being regenerated, soil that will be better for the next generation, soil that is NOT being plundered for its resources Organic and biodynamic produce ensures that Australia’s soils have a chance of continuing to produce food to feed the nation for years to come #beechworthnaturalfarm #demeterbiodynamic #australiandemeterbiodynamic #worldsoilday #buildingsoil #organicfarming #alexpodolinsky #thinkaboutthenextgeneration

07.01.2022 Back in spring we experimented with some equipment to help us sow and weed more efficiently as farm fresh Carrots are always in demand and unfortunately also labour intensive. We had reasonable success with one row and much less with the other, with a few lessons learnt. This week, our local veggie box subscribers were able to enjoy these carrots. If you would like to join in and enjoy our fresh gourmet veggies, please send us a message. We have weekly and fortnightly boxes available and also run a casual list for when there is abundance. #beechworthnaturalfarm #demeterbiodynamic #localfamilyfarm #carrots #fullofflavour #organicveggies #beechworth

07.01.2022 Part of our harvest this week. Quality, fresh and full of flavour organic produce that is healthy and nutrient dense. A range of colours, new season crunchy cucumbers and capsicums Available to: - our veggie box subscribers - @almarorganicsalbury ... - @wangarattawholefoods - @amandhis - Beechworth Food Co-op - @riverdeckalbury with thanks to @ludobaulacky Thanks also to: @goldfieldsgreengrocer @theprovenance @collective.beechworth who also feature our produce on their shelves and menus We are a family business, supported by our local community. We are truly blessed. Thanks #supportlocal #beechworth #veggiebox #communitysupportedagriculture #beechworthnaturalfarm #australiandemeterbiodynamic #demeterbiodynamic

06.01.2022 Another cold week over, another week closer to planting out. With soil temperatures still cool (...actually cold) the tomatoes, capsicums and eggplants are much happier and safer in the warmth of the propagation house. When we have planted out early, the plants often stop growing as the soil is still too cold. Earlier is not always better ... The seedlings for the November Beechworth Farmer’s Markets are looking #beechworthnaturalfarm #demeterbiodynamic #organicseedlings #soiltemperaturestillabitcold

06.01.2022 They’ve been chewed down to the base by rabbits, ducks, bowerbirds and who knows what other wildlife... then the chief taste testers gave them a good hit. It’s a surprise that the plants had survived and now we finally an abundance of snow peas. The next challenge for our veggie box customers will be to get them from farm to home without it all disappearing on the way! ... #beechworthnaturalfarm #snowpeas #demeterbiodynamic #fullofflavour #theysurvived

06.01.2022 Our winter cover crop is growing well. The diverse mix of species will structure the soil over the coming months. We will then flail mulch the crop and turn it back into the soil, apply prepared 500, which will convert all this organic matter into rich humus to feed our summer veggies.

05.01.2022 The feet are up today after a few long hard days getting beds formed before the rain. Pat always works hard when the weather is coming in, the deadline changes what jobs are prioritised. All hands on deck getting a row ready for direct seeding. We had to make a decision to risk a meltdown due to imminent rain and slow progress by the holder of the tool! #beechworthnaturalfarm #demeterbiodynamic #bedforming #hardworkbeforetherain

04.01.2022 WE'RE HIRING .... join our team of Harvest Farm Hands who will be available from January to April. Juniors welcome to apply - please contact us if you are unsure if you are eligible. You will need to be able to work early morning shifts (minimum 2 hours - can be before school) and weekend shifts. ... Activities will include: Selecting vegetables that are ready for harvest and harvesting using techniques shown, Washing vegetables, Grading and packing of vegetables, Recording daily harvest volumes, Cleaning of all equipment used. You will consistently perform high quality work, be able to identify when things aren’t right and have the confidence to let us know If you feel that you are the right person for this role, send your cover letter detailing a little about you along with your resume to [Email hidden] and from there you’ll hear about the next steps. Thanks for applying and we look forward to connecting with you soon.

04.01.2022 What a start to summer yesterday. - Picking with wet freezing fingers and dodging hail - Planting out our biodiversity row of flowers with our friend and inspiration, Fiona B visiting from Mildura - Good conditions and timing to get our Biodynamic Prepared 500 onto the newly planted areas with some extra help... #beechworthnaturalfarm #demeterbiodynamic #harvestday #newseasonbeetroot #flowersforbiodiversity #summershereanditsfreezing

03.01.2022 New season carrots Sweet, crunchy and just downright delicious. Organic carrots are in a class of their own. It’s the equivalent difference between a home grown and ‘shop’ tomato. ... What makes the difference? Carrots need a lot of TLC. They’re slow to germinate (weeds get a head start), take a lot of time to get started (weeds grow faster) and don’t like competition (those big bad bullying weeds again). In a conventional system, herbicides are a great answer to the weed problem. Problem is, they also kill all the good stuff in the soil that would then go into the carrot. When you eat an #organiccarrot , it may have been weeded 3-6 times. If the weed pressure is bad, each cultivation takes a long long time and the rows start looking l o n g So eat those carrots mindfully. Enjoy every bite. #thankafarmer as you munch. And I’ll stop telling the kids off for eating too many carrots #straightoutofthegarden - believe me I did it not just once but many times on the weekend, then had to think hard about what I was saying... what sort of parent stops their kids from eating organic carrots! #beechworthnaturalfarm #newseasoncarrots #fullofflavour #australiandemeterbiodynamic #hoursofweeding #enjoyeverybite #communitysupportedagriculture #eatorganic

02.01.2022 ‘I helped dad string up the tchuchumbers’ .... well, when he wasn’t tangling up the string. The direct sown row of cucumbers is looking much healthier than the early transplants that were frost affected.... Still undecided if it is worth the extra time to trellis the cucumbers. Time will tell

01.01.2022 Getting ready for the Beechworth Farmers Market tomorrow from 8-12. We will have the first of the zucchini’s and cucumbers, also beetroot, rainbow chard, the sweetest sugarsnap peas and Joanna’s cornflowers. Also some seedlings if there is still space in your garden Look forward to seeing you and having a chat ... #beechworthnaturalfarm #demeterbiodynamic #certifiedorganicseedlings #localproduce #seasonalproduce #fullofflavour