Australian Fair Food Forum

Seeking Expressions of Interest for Organic Orchard Lease

Hi everyone, we’re seeking expressions of interest to lease our certified organic pome and stone fruit orchard on our farm at Harcourt (central Vic) within a collaborative farming arrangement. It will suit someone (or a couple) with previous orchard experience, or at the very least substantial farming experience, as well as experience with organics.
We’re in the process of setting up a new collaborative farming model, called (at the moment) the Harcourt Organic Farming Alliance. The other Alliance members are the Gung Hoe market garden (already established on the farm), a micro-dairy, and possibly a vermouth producer (negotiations are underway). Opportunities also exist to add further compatible crops or enterprises.
We’re looking for a new Alliance member to lease the orchard from us. We see our role at this stage as building and guiding the Alliance (and continuing to run the on-farm tree nursery), while at the same time providing a pathway into organic fruit growing for the right person. We’re looking for someone with the drive, ambition and desire to run their own successful organic fruit-growing business. We’re proposing a 3-year lease with potential to extend. The leaseholder will have access to established orchard, water, packing shed, cool-room, equipment, business systems, markets and mentoring.
To find out more please visit our website https:www.growgreatfruit.com/expression-of-interest, and if it sounds like a good fit for you, or you have further questions fill out the Expression of Interest Form.
Cheers, Katie and Hugh Finlay (Mt Alexander Fruit Gardens)

3 Likes