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Farmer's Stories

Horticulture

1. Ian and marilyn

Ian and Marilyn Lanyon – Simply Making Tough Decisions
Read about how pressures on water supply has impacts on production and competitiveness, and the steps Ian and Marilyn Lanyon took to diversify their tomato growing business.
8. A&A Hart

Allen and Andrea Hart – Making Good Wine Whilst Protecting The Environment
Learn about how Allen and Andrea Hart’s energy self sufficiency, water harvesting and tree planting contribute to an all round sustainable grape growing and wine making business.
10.Potatoes Victorian Potato Growers – Optimising Water Inputs for Larger Returns
Read about how Victorian potato growers like Norm Suckling have been using a decision making tool to manage water inputs and seasonal variability.
Neale and Deb Bennett

"Listening to the trees…" Neale and Deb Bennett
Neale and Deb Bennett are fourth generation farmers. Their property was allocated to the Bennett family in 1910 as part of the second Merbein allocation prior to World War One.  Now planted to almonds, the property was originally rack dried sultanas and currants. Read Neale and Deb's story about the benefits, and challenges, of changing to pressurised irrigation and fertigation systems and of taking a  scientific approach in their horticultural business.


Graham Nice inspecting a bunch of grapes

"Ingenuity through necessity…" Graham Nice
Graham Nice’s grandfather received a 25 acre (10.1 hectare) allotment as part of soldier settlement of the Red Cliffs area after World War One. In 1980, at the age of fourteen, Graham left school to manage the farm as his dad was ill. Read Graham's story about necessity and responsibility at a young age, and a lifelong path of inquiry, innovation and self sufficiency in growing wine and table grapes.


Bruno Costantino with a grape tree "Seeing the bigger picture…"  Bruno Costantino
Bruno Costantino drives into Robinvale each morning to have coffee at a local café. He relaxes and chats with whoever is around, before heading home to start the day on his table grape property. This routine would have been unimaginable in the days when his father ran the farm. Read Bruno's story about the benefits in making changes towards greater efficiency and taking a balanced approach to life.


Stephen Bennett "Building on tradition…" Stephen Bennett
Stephen Bennett was living in Melbourne and working as a mechanical engineer in 2000. Not one for a life-long stint in the city, Stephen jumped at the chance to come back to his family's dried grape property in Merbein, now managing it jointly with his brother Malcolm. Read Stephen's story about expanding his family business and his aspirations for the future of his industry.