In the Lenswood Hills of South Australia, this organic farmer of 50 years, combines 6 generations of farming knowledge with an insatiable curiosity and a desire to genuinely observe the apple and cherry trees he stewards for a commercial bounty. He is somewhat of an apple whisperer and far from his self title of being a “silly old bugger on his soapbox” his kernels of wisdom are graceful, gentle and shred only if you desire them.
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As a farmer with a 32 year history of organic avocado production in the mid north coast, Sandra is the matriarch of a family business that experienced 2 solid years of drought as the entree to the summer fires that decimated both her orchard properties. Ever the optimist – despite high levels of trauma, she held her mettle for the sake of those around her and continued steadily, one day at a time. Despite the devastation, there are definitely silver linings and with a galvanised desire to continue farming she is leaving a legacy of knowledge we are all grateful for.
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With integrity and a deep commitment to their community Kay and Greg Saarinen had been farming and creating their organics skincare range according to permaculture principles for 20 years, when the 2019 fires wreaked havoc on their land, business and mental health, they decided to pack up and start a new life somewhere else, but with just the right help and by taking things slowly, one year on, they have a renewed vigour for the way they grow and a desire to keep producing their wares and seek new and innovative ways to package, produce and please their exceptionally loyal customers
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| Empower the world you want to be part of …… We know it’s been a rough year for many. We are rallying support in the last days of the financial year towards organisations that continue to ‘do good’ through these tough times. Here is our hot list for any tax deductible donations that align with your values ….. * Make a donation to ORICoop Bushfire Fund (tax deductible via AMF) * Offset your carbon footprint directly with organic producers * Support our friends at CERES who continue to do incredible things across Melbourne * Fifteen trees – buy your own tree to be planted and watch them grow * Buy a carbon credit that goes directly to indigenous communities * Trees for Life – connecting seeds with farmers one by one * Buy a piece of rainforest – from just $2.50 * Bush Heritage – supporting bushland conservation * Tasmanian Land Conservancy – preserving farmland in Tasmania * Offset Earth – for only $2.50/week * Firesticks – supporting Indigenous communities * Organic Matters Foundation – Organic education and buy a tonne of carbon And your yearly financial health check up list! * Transfer your super to one that aligns with your investment criteria * Review your banking (and mortgage choices) to an ethical one * Switch your browser to Ecosia and plant some trees * Close down that ‘extra’ credit card * Invest your funds to enable ethical and sustainable returns that don’t cost the earth
Could your business achieve Net-Zero by EOFY 2021? We are urgently calling on all ethical, organic, conscious businesses to aim for Net-Zero by the End of this Financial Year. Let’s show some love for our planet! Here is how you can start your journey…. * Calculate your carbon and environmental footprint Our newly released Eco-Credits can help you achieve this – while directly benefiting organic producers that are increasing the carbon across their farm businesses. Key outcomes include:- * Verified independent soil tests confirm carbon drawdown * Quantification of biodiversity quality and density in every farm system * Annual ecological reports (including natural capital) * Eco-Credits™ are only offered once and then retired * All purchasers receive an Offset Certificate to verify your offset Apply for your Eco-Credit here Or you can download an Eco-Credit Application Form here Or contact us for more information |
Over the past year the Organic Farmers Bushfire Appeal has continued to support these farmers along their recovery journey. With donated inputs, professional organic farm advisory, soil tests, donations of trees, coordinating online zoom calls between affected farmers, and enabling the farmers to share their stories, we are incredibly grateful for the time we have spent with each of the farmers. And to all the businesses that have offered financial, personal and physical support. We want to give a huge shout out to the following supporters of the Organic Farmers Bushfires Appeal, that have donated towards the ongoing recovery of many of these farmers.
Earlier this year as part of the Organic Farmers Bushfire Appeal, we put out a call for people to support our friends in East Gippsland and purchase trees for landholders in areas that had been devastated by the February fires. Many people heard the call, and together with 15Trees we were able to offer Chris and Christine Watts, of Blue Sky Organics, 100 trees (and guards) for a revegetation project that will help restore native bushland. Organic farmers were heavily impacted by the bushfires across many areas of south east Australia and the Organic Farmers Bushfire Appeal continues to support each farmer in ways that they need.
Blue Sky Organics is a family farming venture located in the East Gippsland located on the Murrindal River, VIC. Their family team consists of Madeline, Talsy, Jaklan, parents Chris and Christine Watts and grandparent Ian Watts. Last month, 100 native trees and shrubs were planted out along their creek beds, a true family affair!
A note from Christine ‘We had some significant pockets of gorgeous gullies and creeks etc before the fires. Alas not so gorgeous now! And so we have concentrated our revegetation efforts in these areas. The creek banks are a priority as the trees will stabilise the banks (roots hold the soil together), provide habitat to native wildlife and help keep the creek water clean (so important for down stream ecology).
The bush up the back has not come back at all yet. We are still hopeful. We will not re-plant there as it is rocky and mountainous. Nature is going to have to do her own thing there.
We are actually wildlife rescuers and we do have a particular love of wombats. The wildlife here suffered immensely with the bushfires. Simply heart-breaking. I guess I would like people to understand that wildlife need us to care and regenerate their land. And with the help of Fifteen Trees and ORICoop we can make a start.’
Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way. Christine Watts | Owner | Blue Sky Organics
ORICoop is pleased to be working with Fifteen Trees to continue to raise the funds needed to purchase 1500 trees (+ tree guards) for this district and other affected by bushfires over the last Black Summer. If you are interested to support you are invited to contribute to this ongoing support. Colleen from Fifteen Trees will keep a tally of all trees purchased and offer more trees to this area in 2021.
This past summer was one of the most challenging Australian seasons ever and giving support to East Gippsland will be an on-going commitment.
You can offer your support by:
And remember that many of these farmers are a long way from being ‘out of the woods’. Many are still dealing with the heartbreak of last Summer. Many are still managing their recovery and getting their business back on track. ORICoop is excited to continue to walk with them, and to support each of them in their journey towards recovery.
Carolyn Suggate (ORICoop) & Colleen Filippa (Fifteen Trees)
