Macadamia farming is their day job – saving Koalas is their passion. In a pocket of Northern NSW just west of Byron Bay, there is a healthy crop of trees producing delicious macadamia nuts on a commercial sale. But there’s another forest on the same farm – and there eucalyptus is king. And Koalas are loving it. The Viola family is part of a growing trend that’s seeing farmers dedicate some land to saving our adored marsupial. To learn more about the koala corridor Dale Viola joins me now to discuss:

• Dale’s favourite place on the macadamia farm and eucalyptus oasis.
• How and why this macadamia farm became a wildlife corridor.
• The farm is being run by her husband and brother-in-law, Ash, who is now 75 years old, and how this family farm came about.
• Using an unproductive area of the farm to create something truly worthwhile.
• Although the forest is in its infancy, koalas are flocking to this new habitat.
• Some of the health issues koalas have faced, and how this native regeneration — which has been commended by conservation groups like the WWF — is helping.
• There is a goal to double the number of koalas in eastern Australia by 2050. Since 2021, the WWF and Bangalow Koalas have planted more than 42,000 trees.
• Dale and her family have been very active in encouraging others to take up the initiative.
• The feedback — not just from conservationists, but also from other farmers.
• Dale is able to track koalas on her property, and by using tracking tags, is able to watch them move and thrive.
• The most rewarding part of this project for Dale is seeing individual koalas live beyond their current expected lifespan of five years, which is significantly shorter than their natural lifespan of up to 18 years.
• Common misconceptions about the koala and its habitat.
• Dale’s ultimate dream for the future.

We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

Bangalow Koalas

WWF – Australian Koalas

Produced by Pretty Podcasts

Siblings Erin and Josh Cranwell know a thing or two about Brussels Sprouts. Five generations of their family have produced them. But returning to the farm after high-school to take up a career in the business has surprised everyone, not least themselves. The brother and sister from Hay Valley and Lake Plains in South Australia, now live and breathe this superfood. Well aware of the bad reputation the humble sprout has attracted, they are passionate about educating consumers about their wonder crop. To learn more, Erin Cranwell from AE Cranwell and Sons join me now to discuss:

• Erin’s favourite place on the farm is standing in the Brussels Sprout field soaking up the view.
• After high school, Erin pursued her passion for her family farm.
• Both Erin and her brother Josh have continued to work on the family farm together, and she says, “It brings more satisfaction.”
• Erin and Josh are based at different farms, and Erin explains their different roles.
• Brussels sprouts often get a bad reputation, but Erin shares that they are becoming more popular.
• Brussels sprouts are not easy to grow and tend to be prone to pests and fungi.
• The industry is actually quite small, with only a handful of major growers.
• Over five generations, a lot has changed—Erin discusses what changes are coming in terms of sustainability.
• Innovation and reducing labour where possible have been key aspects for the farm.
• What Erin loves most about life on the land.
• The most unexpected thing to happen while working with Brussels sprouts.
• Erin shares a common misconception.
• The ultimate dream for the future.

We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

Hay Valley Veg

Follow @hayvalleyveg on Social Media

Produced by Pretty Podcasts

It’s one thing to love feeding people – it’s another entirely to care so much about what they eat, that you grow the produce yourself. Such was her passion for food, that’s exactly what the owner of beloved Thai restaurant Chat Thai has done. It’s changed the ethos of the business, which first opened in Sydney in 1989. Today, there are 5 eateries, and if you dine at one of those venues, you might be lucky enough to taste the gorgeous organic produce farmed in the Byron Bay hinterland. To learn more about her desire to feed her own family and her customers with food grown with care, Palisa Anderson of Boon Luck Farm joins me to discuss:

• Palisa shares her favourite spot on the 46 hectares she’s transformed into a fully productive farm.
• Her passion for growing food began back in her Sydney days—proof that anyone can find creative ways to connect with what they eat, no matter where they live.
• What started as a mission to feed her family, has turned into something much bigger.
• Palisa talks about what inspired her to join the family business, Chat Thai, which her mum founded in the late '80s.
• With five restaurants and a commitment to chemical-free produce, Palisa explains how sourcing specialist Asian ingredients led her to start her own market garden.
• She discusses growing traditional Asian vegetables alongside Australian natives—and why biodiversity is central to her philosophy.
• For Palisa, sourcing produce herself is about much more than convenience—she’s found deep meaning in the process.
• Palisa introduces us to the IGLOO—an incredible piece of growing technology on the farm.
• She shares what she loves most about growing her own food.
• Palisa reveals the most unexpected thing that’s happened since she joined the family business.
• She clears up one of the most common misconceptions about her work.
• And finally, Palisa shares her ultimate dream for the future.

We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.

Links:

Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

Chat Thai

Connect with Chat Thai on Instagram


Produced by Pretty Podcasts