Each week, we will bring our readers a primary producer on the South Coast in our feature ‘Producing The Goods’.
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By doing this, we hope consumers find it easier to source locally grown produce across our beautiful region.
This week we visited the team at Crooked River Farm, Gerringong and chatted with Erin Clare.
What do you produce, grow or breed?
Crooked River Farm is a 400 acre farm on the fertile river flats at Gerringong.
We currently produce pasture raised eggs and pasture raised chicken which we sell direct to numerous markets on the South Coast.
We also run a herd of about 120 cows and calves yearly on the farm.
We offer a premium, chemical free, pasture raised meat product and would love to supply to further markets along the South Coast.
- Erin Clare
How long have you been in operation?
The farm was purchased four years ago and in that time has undergone new fencing, paddocks, sheds and infrastructure to suit our operation.
The egg laying hens have been in operation for about 18-months and our pasture raised meat chickens have been operating now for about six months.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced?
Our biggest challenges are predators for our stock such as foxes and wedge tail eagles. The other biggest challenge is finding suitable markets for our pasture raised chicken.
We do have such great customers on board but would love to reach out further with our product. We offer a premium, chemical free, pasture raised meat product and would love to supply to further markets along the South Coast.
What have been your biggest successes?
Every day faces its challenges but every day is also showing our successes.
We work hard, we farm the land sustainably, give back to our pastures naturally and we get to watch our animals thrive because of this.
Natural farming is our future and something most important to us!
Why did you choose this path/how did you get into primary production?
My love and passion has always been farming!
After school I studied agriculture, took myself out west and worked on large stations and then landed on my feet back home on the coast.
I love the small scale, more focused farming, where animal welfare is priority and caring for the land is our way forward.
My partner Grant is a mechanic by trade, but proves himself very handy around the farm each day too. We are so lucky for the opportunity and lucky to share this journey together!
It’s not really work when you love what your doing!
- Erin Clare
What are the long-term goals for your business?
Long term goals is a tricky one!
We will continue to produce pasture raised, beautiful eggs. We will continue and hopefully build on our pasture raised chicken enterprise, and then one day we may even introduce pigs into our rotational grazing system.
We will also continue to care for our pasture, improve our paddocks each year, and continue to farm and educate our followers and customers.
How many hours a week do you work?
We live on the farm so every day is a work day for us. Each day is different, some days quiet and others busy.
We work about 40 hours per week. We have other staff who are fantastic and cover the work load, so no complaints here.
It’s not really work when you love what your doing!
Describe a typical working day for you.
Our day starts at 8am (although we are up much earlier). We all meet at the shed, plan the day ahead and most of the time plans change to accommodate escaping chickens, run-away maremmas, eagles, broken down utes and weather!
How many people do you employ?
There are four of us working full time.
Has technology changed the way you work and how have you embraced it?
Technology is definitely an advantage in modern day farming.
Things like our egg grading machine make days weighing, stamping and packing eggs much easier.
Social Media is definitely our most viable tool for the business. Facebook and Instagram are such a powerful tool for us. It’s always a great way for us to share our story and for people to follow our journey on the farm.
Where can people buy your product?
We sell our eggs and pasture raised chicken at Kiama Farmers Market every Wednesday.
It’s a supportive community and a great way for us to sell products fresh.
We also stock our eggs at Gerringong IGA and all our other eggs and chicken go to local restaurants and cafes. We are, however, on the hunt for more outlets to sell our pasture raised chicken.
We sell whole birds, and all cuts as a fresh product and deliver from Ulladulla to Wollongong each week.
If your interested you can send us a message on Instagram or send us an email at crookedriverfarms@gmail.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/crookedriverfarm/
If you are a primary producer on the South Coast or know of one we could feature, email us at hayley.warden@fairfaxmedia.com.au
