Who: Tom Gaunt and Bridie Cotter, Kinsfolk Farm
Where: Moriac, Surf Coast Shire, Wadawurrung Country
Bridie, you’re not exactly large scale.
We farm just under a hectare – two acres in the old measurements. We don’t use machinery; we use hand tools to till the soil and remove the weeds.
You don’t use artificial chemical fertilisers?
We focus on improving soil fertility naturally. We mulch, we compost, and we plant green manure crops such as oats, rye, peas, and broad beans, which we dig back into the soil to nourish the tiny organisms that help with soil fertility. We also close-plant some species – like celery and peas – to crowd out weeds.
What do you grow?
Over a year, we harvest more than 30 different types of vegetable. In spring, for example, we pick radishes, kale, broccoli, cime di rapa, radicchio, fennel, and other leafy greens. In summer, it’s a bounty of carrots, tomatoes, peas, zucchini, peppers, and garlic. We have greens throughout the year and more brassicas over the cooler months.
You also supply restaurants?
We used to send a lot of vegetables to Jo Barrett when she had Little Picket in Lorne, and we still supply Plumes in Geelong. There is Samesyn in Torquay, a minimal-waste restaurant. We give them vegetables, and they give us dinner. It’s a beautiful barter.
Can we buy your vegetables?
We have a farm shop. You order online at kinsfolkfarm.com.au and then pick up from our farm between Saturday morning and Monday morning. You can buy various-sized boxes to suit your household. You’ll also find us at the Torquay Farmers Market or come to one of our farm tours.