Aussie farmers master reinvention

Whether they face drought, fire or coronavirus, Australian farmers know how to chart a safe course through crisis.

Positive approach: Gippsland Jersey co-founder Sallie Jones with a Jersey herd. Picture: Zoe Phillips

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THIS virus may have hijacked our world, but it hasn’t stopped our farmers.

For many food producers, the past six weeks have been business as usual – or maybe business on steroids is a better way to describe it. Producers such as Josh’s Rainbow Eggs, Gippsland Jersey and Grunt Pork have enacted plans that, six weeks ago, had been “nice to haves” or “five-year goals”.

In a matter of days, they (and many others including the producers featured on pages 36-37) upped production, started home delivery or launched online shops to safely supply food to more customers, particularly those at risk.

Josh Murray with his free range hens. Picture: Zoe Phillips

While many readers are understandably fed up with the COVID media din, we are proud to feature these positive stories that have emerged from the pandemic. Josh’s Rainbow Eggs was founded by teenager Josh Murray and his family more than a decade ago. The business responded quickly to fill shelves when egg shortages took major supermarkets by surprise at the end of March. Even while ramping up orders, Josh and his mum, Tamsyn, held back enough eggs to continue their donations to food charities.

This issue’s cover story about Gippsland Jersey is another case of rapid response. Founder Sallie Jones has never shied away from publicity. The huge social media network she has established to promote the brand is a two-way street, allowing customers to ask for help when they need it. And they did, in overwhelming numbers, leading Gippsland Jersey to start milk deliveries to homes.

Coronavirus is not going to hijack Farm, however, and the stories of holistic grazier Nick Austin, hemp entrepreneur Rhys Staley and Coolibah Persian Sheep Stud round out this extraordinary issue.

MORE FARM MAGAZINE

OPTIMIST SALLIE JONES LEADS GIPPSLAND JERSEY EXPANSION

RARE PERSIAN SHEEP BOUNCE BACK FROM THE BRINK

GIPPSLAND DISTILLER ON A WINNER WITH HEMP GIN