Dish the Dirt and Monvale Farm had the first ever Industry Farm Day on Sunday the 16th of January. It was a day to connect, share ideas and build community. Thank you everyone who came.

Pretty Produce is a multi-nationally award-winning edible flower farm driven by Simone Jelley. It has been in existence since 2014 and it was birthed from a new found obsession with gardening, the FIRST ever foray into gardening. During this time, Simone started researching edibility of plants, including flowers, and from there started designing products for the chefs and hospitality industry. It quickly spiralled out of control into a series of farming leases on a few residential islands located near Stradbroke Island off Redland Bay. Simone and Dave Jelley sold up on Macleay Island in 2019 to seek a suitable patch of land in Queensland’s celebrated Scenic Rim region. Finally settling into a stunning 8-acre parcel of land snuggled in the misty valley heading up into the mighty Lamington National Park, surrounded by the ancient Gondwana forests of the Southern Queensland border lands.

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Jessica Eckford-Aguilera has always had a special connection to Newcastle.A born and raised Novocastrian, Jess is shaking things up by using her decades of passion and experience to give the Hunter a market like no other.Jess jump started her career in Events Management at the age of 18 and opened her first company in 2003 in Sydney. She made a huge splash, curating celebrated events such as Australian Bridal Fashion Week and Newcastle Fashion Weekend and working alongside brands such as McDonalds and Pfizer.After completing the third ABFW in 2016, Jess found her passions pulling her back to Newcastle to create her biggest project yet: The Newcastle Food & Flower Markets. From the beginning, Jess’s passion was to support as many Australian Flower Growers as possible and to give Newcastle a must-see destination for floral designers, locals and tourists to appreciate the best our city has to offer. The response has been overwhelming, with many delighting in the added convenience of having our first- class products on offer.But going forward, Jess has her sights set on even bigger goals for the Australian Flower Industry. With COVID she saw a real gap in the market to create an online platform that connects Australian Flower Growers to the right buyers. The Flower Farm Collective was born late 2020 with the official launch hitting 2021. The Collective is about reconnecting our industry and supporting an exciting new generation of passionate flower growers. It’s a platform that showcases our incredible Floral Designers as they deserve. The industry was hit hard over COVID. We aim to bring it back bigger and better!The collective aims to be the voice for the Australian Flower Industry. There is an exciting movement of young up and coming growers who share a passion for growing Jess says, they are more tech savvy and welcome new initiatives that will enhance their businesses and brand.There is so much planned for The Flower Farm Collective and we couldn’t be happier supporting the Australian Flower Industry.

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Curreys flowers is located in Karalee 40 mins west of Brisbane in QLD. It is a family owned and operated Flower farm specialising in Premium Roses and Gerberas. Founded by Don and Lynda Currey on the family cattle farm over 45 years ago, Sonia and her husband help manage the farm and are in transition of Don and Lynda retiring.

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Monvale Farm,Our fully renovated Cherry Farm is situated on a golden road of Flower Growing! Monbulk-Seville Road 😀17acres, boasting an amazing view of the YarraValley.We went from zero to 100 km per hour in a fast time. Our claim to fame is- Farmer Joe..His growing ‘highlights’ being- Hydrangea paniculataaaahhh! Ornamental Blossoms, AutumnalMaples, Daphne & his really yummmmy cherries.My interests are being neat😂 & then lots of foliage! Ninebark, Agonis & Geraniums list high in my list.We have failed with many of our farm choices, but we hope we are finally headed in the right direction.Weather is our biggest challenge- especially the wind! Our farm is not chemical free, but we do everything we can to limit them- we mulch a lot, for low weed activity & definately focus on the weeds, along with an addiction to grass mowing - helps keep bugs life low as they have no where to be.We do not use sleeves.But, we do use rubber bands.We have installed tanks & cleaned out our big dam. We rarely use our bore but have a big water license.I may have failed to mention in the chat- my customers are my total set my alarm & fill our truck inspo, but Eugalo Farm is my farmer inspo🌱Monvale Flowers / wholesale. Is located in the Melbourne Flower Market in Epping. We focus on Foliage, & try to have a seasonal bloom available always. Proudly & grateful that we are chosen by some really great local farmers & a couple of NSW ones to sell their product. We are just a little part of the industry, but we love it big time.I cannot wait to meet all the people at the Industry Day!Like - so looking fwd to it! Cannot wait. Monvale is way more than me- these thoughts are all from my perspective.. Farmer Joe is way more laid back, so his podcast would be way full of humour! I do have a little motto that has served me ok through time -The only competetion you have is you! I am not competetive with other

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Nash Flower Farm is a micro flower farm located in Rylstone NSW run by Farmer Florist Kate Nash with the support of her husband Will and 2 young daughters. The flower farm was started in 2016 when the need to find meaningful and financially viable home based work became important to Kate while raising a young family and the idea was born out of a love for gardening, growing fresh produce and her farming family heritage. Kate grows beautiful seasonal blooms for the local community, farmers markets and florists and is just about to launch a new exciting product to diversify into culinary market in the coming weeks.

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Nood Blooms is owned and operated by Micheal Allen. Established in 2018 and situated in Monbulk Victoria. He is one of the few rose growers left in Australia. This commerical flower farm primarily grows roses with approximately 24,000 in total. These consist of David Austin’s and greenhouse grown roses.

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In May 2020 Moroni and Phaedra started a flower farm in North East Victoria, on their property they share with their three children. Moroni, utilising his Agricultural Engineering degree and generational farming history from Mexico, Phaedra utilising her drive for business, marketing, visual marketing and creativity. They now run their flower farm and floral business as a full time income. Starting during a pandemic has been tricky, but has forced them to think outside the square and make things happen.

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The Big Bouquet is a flower farm located in the beautiful Yarra Valley, specialising in gerberas. The farm is owned and operated by Natalie Kerst, who has a wonderful team of staff who pick and bunch gerberas all year round! During spring, the farm also grows some varieties of peony roses. The Big Bouquet operates as a tourist attraction 5 days a week, allowing visitors to enter the glasshouse where all the magic happens, have a light meal in their cafe and purchase beautiful bouquets of fresh gerberas. They pride themselves on their quality, Aussie grown flowers, and hope to inspire listeners around the country to keep it fresh and support your local growers!

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Marika and John’s Farm Glenbernie Family Farms is a small flower farm set on ten acres in the Hawkesbury an hour west of Sydney. Marika and John have years of experience in the agriculture industry and have farmed on the property in Kurmond for 14 years. When COVID hit last year Marika was home schooling her 4 school age children. Being home more she found herself gardening at every chance she had. Finding Erin of Floret online reading her books. Marika’s love of farming and growing seeds started the talk of a flower farm. It was a long slow process learning so much and still learning.We’re a pick your own flower farm, bringing the Sydney community together. We supply florist and the general public. Just recently hosting online workshops and we will hold workshops on the farm when all the COVID restrictions are over. It’s so important for our local community to see where there flowers come from, how there grown and how beautiful fresh Australian flowers can be and are.

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