About Diversity

Farming is not just about animals and crops; it’s about people. The average age of the farmer is now around 60 years and very few farmers now grow any of the food their family consumes. Children are leaving the farms and country towns in large numbers, ostensibly because they cannot make enough money on the farm, but more likely because they are bored. The life and activity experienced on a multi-enterprise farm retains, and attracts, young people and additional enterprises. Nearly all farms have the physical capacity to have several enterprises.

It is important to note that the above is not a criticism of conventional farming or the idea of specializing on farms. Economic sustainability is critical; also most farmers have ethical good intent. Some farmers have provided themselves and their families with both economic and social stability from this philosophy. But the larger numbers have suffered. Looking at the bigger picture, country towns have suffered too. Towns that once were established because they were the centre of farming communities are now deteriorating rapidly, because the farming communities are disappearing.

We feel there is another way that can be explored which has economic and social benefits for not only family farmers, but the whole social structure of the land. We are, in a way, going “back to the future”, back to the natural methods that have worked for thousands of years (sustainably), but using the amazing technology, measurement and disciplined management that have come from modern conventional agriculture.

There are eight families living here at Mulloon Creek, all with their own areas of expertise. All of the families contribute to the community and productivity of the farm. It’s perhaps the perfect example of how diversity can work. The more diverse our strengths, skills etc, the better we are positioned to handle change, evolve and be a better support to the whole sustainability of this little piece of our planet.