Harcourts Co-Op: Cultivating new farmers from the ground up

This co-op has been giving young people the chance to run their own farming enterprise, and is on the lookout for the next generation of farmers to join them.

With zero farming experience and no land of their own, Ira Barker walked into the Harcourt Organic Co-Op in the middle of the pandemic with a single idea and a passion for native plants and botanicals.

Coupled with a love of growing and cooking food, the resulting collaboration led to the planting of 400 ‘bush tucker’ trees on co-op soil and a new Indigenous-led social enterprise.

Murnong Mummas uses Harcourt land to grow native foods and botanicals, while also acting as a platform for education and social outreach in the region.

Operated by Katie and Hugh Finlay, the co-op in central Victoria is a space for young people with the ambition to run their own farming operation, but who may not have the financial or land means to do so.

Harcourt Organic Farming Co-Op operator Katie Finley with Ira Barker from Murnong Mummas in the bush foods plot next to the 'old man' saltbush. Picture: Zoe Phillips

“I’ve been really nurtured by this co-op, by Katie and Hugh, and the community around the co-op itself,” Ira said.

It’s a diverse way of engaging and accessing agricultural land which they said provided opportunity to connect their culture with the classroom.

“We go into schools, we plant a garden, then do a little cooking with it. It’s a space for us to share our passion and our knowledge, but it’s also a means for self-determination,” they said.

“This isn’t your typical farm. The level of community here and the support, we may not be farming alongside each other but to have that camaraderie with living and working this land has been a really important part for me. And to explore this part of Djaara country, it feels like I have a future here.”

The co-op is now on the lookout for the next generation of farmers to join the co-op, who might otherwise be priced out of starting a farm of their own.

The opportunity to join the co-op is available for anyone wanting to run enterprises in orcharding, horticulture, grazing, or running a business from the co-op, similar to Murnong Mummas.

The co-op is a diverse way of engaging and accessing agricultural land, providing the opportunity to connect their culture with the classroom. Picture: Zoe Phillips

“Farming or accessing land in general is not realistic,” Ira said.

“ … the cost of land and even rates from the council alone makes it an absolute pipe dream for people to have a little block, for education or farm stays … it’s just not accessible.”

For details visit hofcoop.com.au.