Black barn farm is a small-scale, family-owned orchard, located in Stanely, North East Victoria, Australia. It is a regenerative, intentional orchard and nursery that operates on permaculture principles (a design system and philosophy that emulates the patterns in nature to integrate the physical and social needs of people and the ecosystem holistically and sustainably).
Black barn farm creates an intentionally slow orcharding and nursery business that is entrenched in its community, regenerative in practices, diverse in its fruit varieties, and committed to building awareness and knowledge on food literacy which they believe is the first step in building a localised fair food system. They are an active part of the local food revolution. Black Barn Farm is a hub for eco-friendly foodies. It is part home, part-orchard and part learning and social hub for people who love food and sustainability.
The BlackBarn orchard farm is adopting a sustainable and regenerative way of food production, sharing its philosophy and permaculture principles with a wide variety of local stakeholders. The owners are determined to create a space that people are drawn to for connection, learning, belonging, and respect for the people and place. Their open and transparent approach, including a pick-your-own model and extensive educational content, leads to multiple regenerative benefits: food users/visitors who better understand food production processes and value food and don’t waste it; local farmers who change their production practices into more sustainable and regenerative ones; prosperity of regional communities and local food systems. Sharing Black barn farm farming and local food systems philosophy helps local, small-scale farmers to do things differently and builds stronger local communities. Collaboration with the local community and local farmers results in a like-minded community sharing regenerative values and practices.
Passion for sustainability and regenerative farming (permaculture principles) and strong personal engagement of owners to change things.
Sharing their knowledge and inspiring visitors, food end-users, farmers, local community, and food enterprises to create a community of like-minded people who value food.
Collaboration with a number of local businesses and food producers that share their eco-friendly values.
Purpose-oriented, not primarily profit-focused.
Extensive know-how (gained new knowledge on permaculture farming, having a background in marketing and tourism and experience in hydro-engineering and soil management).
A 10-year planning phase, learning from best practices abroad.
Diversified business model (consisting of 6 main pillars).
They run the ‘pick-your-own’ model at the orchard, enabling visitors to get in touch with nature and the food they eat.
Creating events to bring their regenerative farming philosophy to life.
Project Number: 2022-KA220-VET-89ACFE12
Project Number: 2022-KA220-VET-89ACFE12