Yippee, It's Our First Anniversary

This week marks the end of our first year here at 'Near River', and what a year it's been!

That said, this post is about where we've come from,  people we've met along the way, and what's next - some reflection and acknowledgement.

What we are doing here is following a dream, with the aim to be the most productive, efficient and profitable bio-dynamic farmers in the country, supplying the highest quality produce to our community. And while matters have not progressed as far as we had hoped, we've certainly had some real wins and are moving in the right direction.

The first group of people to thank are our families and friends, many whom have visited and spent time with us here at 'Near River', most helping to turn the soil and remove the perennial grass runners from our market garden paddock. We love you all and thank you very much, and you'll always be welcome, with or without your work boots! One of the things that we created when we moved here was that the home would be filled with love and harmony, and family and friends would visit often - well that can be ticked off the list.

In the Valley here at Pappinbarra, there are about 100 residences spread over a road that's about 30 km's (18.5 miles) long - as one neighbour said recently, 'we may not live close together but it's just like a suburb' and as a community, the way in which you have welcomed us and allowed us to become involved is great; you've made our treechange relocation that much simpler and enjoyable.

Then there is the group of people who've guided and assisted us in matters agricultural, among them Pat Murray, our local contractor just down the road, Jeremy and Cathy at Foodprints, Ann and the team at Hastings Landcare, biodynamic farmers David and Heidi at Marrook Farm over at Elands, and Gail Cole from Nantucket Dexter Stud at Herons Creek. The information and gems of wisdom that you and others have provided have been REALLY helpful. Sure we've made some mistakes, and will continue to do so, but your tips have saved us on many an occasion.

Obviously also on the list are you, the readers of my outpourings! Although this was initially started to document our activities as we set up the farm at 'Near River', this site has also become a vehicle for me to expose issues in the green arena that I feel are of vital importance - and if you're still here reading this, you must have a green tinge too! So thanks for allowing me to do what I do. In these eight short months that I've been documenting our activities online via this blog, some very wonderful and weird connections have been made, from Ann Taylor here in New South Wales at Sunnyside Projects, to Adam just down the road from the White House at Twilight Earth, to Colin in NYC at No Impact Man, to Suyra at the Nepalese Agricultural Ministry - you and many others have provided inspiration, and often at the most opportune times, so thank you.

Lastly, our partners in this venture, Beth and Lyndon, a big thank you - I know living in the one house with another mature couple with the joys and setbacks we've encountered has been testing at times, but we wouldn't be here without you.

And Therese, my dear wife, I love you and what we are up to. Thanks so much.

So what's next?

Well here's to 'Near River Produce' delivering it's first boxes of tasty, wholesome chemical-free produce to families early in November, through our CSA! Stay tuned for further details.

Comments

[Andrew the Organic Maven]

Cheers Adam.
Tell you what, you can swap those boots for a picture of the new vegetable garden on the White House lawn after GW vacates the premises.
And I'm more than happy to send some traffic in your direction.
All the best.

[Adam]

Wish I could throw on my work boots and give you hand, but it's a bit of a trip. Laura and I are with you in spirit though. (Also wish we could by some of that fresh produce from you, but again, its a bit of a trip) -smile-

Thanks for the update with what's going on with you and thank you for the mention.

[Andrew the Organic Maven]

Thanks Fi, we look forward to having you guys here. Note that by the 25th though the blue eggs should be baby blacks chicks.

[Fi]

We'll be there - without work boots on the 25th. Looking forward to seeing, calves, blue chicken eggs and just maybe a Platypus - though I have told her that's pretty unlikely!