Our family farm dream began more than 20 years ago in the backyard of a rental home we shared with two friends. The soil was pure sand, so we learned to grow upwards using hydroponics and aquaponics systems. We grew delicious watercress, cherry tomatoes and herbs, and discovered just how rewarding it was to grow our own food.
Five years later, our hobby “farm” expanded at our family home. The front garden became three large vegetable beds, the carport turned into a mushroom house, aquaponics filled the backyard, and five beehives buzzed away nearby. We were producing beautiful spray free food for ourselves and our growing family.
With the encouragement of local friends, we then took on a small herd of Jersey cows. Early mornings became part of family life, with Kieran milking alongside baby number one, and later toddler one and baby number two, before bringing fresh milk home for porridge, tea, homemade fetta and haloumi.
At the beginning of Covid, we realised how important it was to become more self sufficient. Our vegetable garden expanded to nearly an acre of food production. We grew enough garlic to last our family a year, along with Roma tomatoes for homemade pasta sauce through every season. This was made possible through the generosity of another local friend who shared their land with us in exchange for fresh milk and vegetables.
Then in 2023, we had the opportunity to take on 30 acres: one third orchard, one third grazing paddocks and one third forest reserved for nature. From there, Messines Farm truly began.
Today, Messines Farm is more than a farm. It is a place where our children grow up connected to food, nature and community. A place where we grow nourishing food, ride bikes through the orchard, paddle across the dam at sunset, and share our home with birds, flowers and countless other creatures that make the farm come alive.
We hope the food and experiences we share help other families reconnect with nature and with each other.
