"So, it's nice if we can give back like Karen and Steven do."Just down the road, another young first-generation farmer knows what it's like to get a foothold into a near-impossible market.
About seven years ago, Rob Arvier was working full-time interstate while managing a small lifestyle block in his hometown of Penguin.With no access to water or machinery — and limited borrowing power — there was "no way" Mr Arvier could start farming full-time on his own land. That was until his neighbour Wendy Sullivan offered him management of her 40ha property, after her husband John passed away."She gave me a lease that I paid in arrears instead of in advance, and that's what got everything going," the young farmer said.
"Sadly Wendy passed away last year, really unexpectedly … we're really grateful for what she's done for us."From that start, Mr Arvier and his growing team of employees have expanded out of the paddock and into a diverse agribusiness, largely thanks to joint-venture contracts and partnerships. As well as running a 250ha mixed cropping farm, the business also owns and operates a specialty grocer and espresso bar in town, aimed at connecting customers with the source of their produce.