Regional Achiever Awards: Young entrepreneur’s ethical eggs celebrated

AT JUST nine years of age, Kerrie based resident, Josh Murray began a state of the art egg farm business.

Innovation recognised: Josh’s rainbow Eggs founder Josh Murray at the farm in Monegeetta. Photo: Luis Enrique Ascui

AT just nine years of age, Josh Murray started a state-of-the-art egg farm business.

He started by selling eggs from his family’s farm to neighbours for pocket money.

Nine years later, the business, Josh’s Rainbow Eggs, at Kerrie, now sells pasture-raised eggs direct to major ­supermarkets and independent chains.

It is a finalist in this year’s Regional Achievement and Community Awards in the Prime Super Agricultural ­Innovation Award.

The 10,000 hens live in five unique mobile sheds, powered by solar and wind energy.

As Josh added hens, he sold eggs to farmers’ markets, and then approached supermarkets in his area.

In the past three years the business has expanded to supply 25 Coles stores, 12 Woolworths stores and 12 ­independent stores.

The mobile sheds are run off four sets of solar panels, 12 batteries, inverters to convert 240v to 3-phase for the mot­ors and a back-up generator.

The farm also has wind turbines that maintain their batteries during the winter when there is less sun but more wind.

With Josh busy studying in Year 12, the farm is also run by five other workers.

Engaging with customers and giving back to the community is a top priority for Josh and his family.

The business approached Foodbank in February last year, donating 200 dozen eggs a week, and since then has provided more than 105,000.

Josh said it was important the chickens were treated ethically and had full confidence they were cared for ­appropriately on his farm.

“If the chickens are taken care of, then in turn they take care of us,” he said.

Josh now has his sights set on a business degree.

The awards will be presented on October 26 at The Event Centre, Flemington.