About us – Old Orchard Farm

Old Orchard Farm is a small-scale sustainable farm in Tasmania’s Huon Valley started by us: Alex and Christie. After watching one-too-many videos about the possibilities of permaculture, no-dig gardening, regenerative agriculture and similar practices we decided to quit city life and try this for ourselves. That, and we fell in love with Tasmania like so many mainlanders who come here on holidays. So in December 2019 we drove off the Spirit of Tasmania to start a new chapter in life. Our backgrounds in economics and finance mean that we moved here with skills to make a great crop plan in Excel, countless hours of online research in our heads and a lot to learn about the practicalities of market gardening. But it’s been a great adventure so far and we’re looking forward to the future! More of the story of our first year is at www.paddockbythehuon.com.

In case you’re wondering…

Why Old Orchard Farm?

Like much of the Huon Valley, there was an apple orchard on the property for many years. After the market fell away in the 1970s the orchard was turned into pasture. Although we’re focussing on growing vegetables over time we will gradually add more fruit and nut trees.

Why is there a short-legged dog in the logo?

We have a Cardigan Corgi called Ebbi who loves hanging out with us in the garden – often in precarious places like under a wheelbarrow or our feet.

What does small-scale mean?

We have 72 vegetable beds that are 10 metres by 75 cm and a 15 metre-long poly tunnel. So that’s almost 600m2 of permanent vegetable beds, which is much smaller than a “proper” market garden.

Over time we plan to scale up production in this same space by getting better at what we do. And we want to have chickens and bees. But while we still have so much to learn about vegetables our only farm animals are worms!

What does sustainable mean?

We’re trying to improve the soil and its biodiversity over time. We don’t use pesticides, herbicides or a tractor. Our seeds are open-pollinated and as much as possible, organic and locally sourced. We want as many nutrients as possible to come from our property. It might all sound idealistic but there are farmers doing it already all over the world – including in the Huon Valley! – and we want to be a part of that movement.

Want more information about our practices?

Over time we’ll post information describing what we do in more detail. Until then just email us with any questions: veggies@oldorchardfarm.com.au.

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