Jack thieme, Black Bulga
Network member Jack Thieme is a local grower with a large canvas to work on. We visited him at his home in the Upper Monkerai Valley, near the Black Bulga State Conservation Area (SCA). Jack is a member of, and main gardener at, Black Bulga, a small intentional community striving to live in harmony with nature and with each other, and to tread lightly on the earth (https://www.ic.org/directory/black-bulga/).
In 2010, the community purchased a block of land at the confluence of the Karuah and Teleghery rivers on Worimi land. As they write: Something about the sweet taste of the river water, the cool, deep swimming holes, stunning views and fertile soil made it easy for our group to realise that we had finally found the place we had been looking for.
In 2010, the community purchased a block of land at the confluence of the Karuah and Teleghery rivers on Worimi land. As they write: Something about the sweet taste of the river water, the cool, deep swimming holes, stunning views and fertile soil made it easy for our group to realise that we had finally found the place we had been looking for.
Jack with Stef Garland at Black Bulga's 'cool, deep swimming hole' on the Karuah
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This is where we caught up with Jack. He shared with us some of the history of the area and the community, and showed us what he was doing with the garden.
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The community, which had come together through environmental activist networks in Newcastle, had a desire to develop a level of self-sufficiency on Black Bulga. Having studied horticulture, and with an interest in permaculture, Jack is spearheading the development of the garden. When asked what he feels about growing, Jack replied:
To grow stuff, that’s what I was meant to do. When I feel at my best is when I’m losing myself in the garden. There’s a sense of self-empowerment in growing your own food.
To grow stuff, that’s what I was meant to do. When I feel at my best is when I’m losing myself in the garden. There’s a sense of self-empowerment in growing your own food.
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A standout feature of the large vegetable growing area is its mixed plantings and healthy plants. Jack adopts water wise and soil enhancing techniques such as raised beds, mounds (great for potatoes!), mulching, inter-cropping, and use of filtered grey water.
On the periphery, towards the large stands of eucalypt forest, he plants - with fire protection in mind - bananas, plantains, coffee shrubs and native rainforest species such as Native Frangipani, Sandpaper Figs, Turpentine, Cheese tree (Glochidian ferdinandi), and other rainforest species. |
Part of the veggie garden at Black Bulga
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Jack has a vision to create a food forest, and the swale system he’s constructed is a key part of the design. We visited him on a rainy day, and the swale was highly effective in channeling and holding onto the water exactly where he wanted it to be, with plantings of trees, including fruit trees, all around it.
Jack shared his views on people developing local resilience and a level of self-sufficiency, and said that he was part of a group of men from the area focusing on this very issue. They would get together to share ideas and techniques in crafts such as brewing and the curing of meat.
A key challenge for growers who are not in favour of huge scale, consolidated, mechanised methods, he noted, was to work out the ideal scale that makes the effort into growing a range of crops worthwhile. How can you get to make some kind of income from growing by using organic methods and permaculture garden design, not on a huge scale, but still large enough to get a decent income?
He believes that working together with like-minded people, and finding ways to process the produce locally, such as through brewing or curing, would be ways in which to make smaller-scale growing worthwhile.
A key challenge for growers who are not in favour of huge scale, consolidated, mechanised methods, he noted, was to work out the ideal scale that makes the effort into growing a range of crops worthwhile. How can you get to make some kind of income from growing by using organic methods and permaculture garden design, not on a huge scale, but still large enough to get a decent income?
He believes that working together with like-minded people, and finding ways to process the produce locally, such as through brewing or curing, would be ways in which to make smaller-scale growing worthwhile.
Jack didn't feel that marketing was a particular problem, but noted that growers working together certainly helps. He was very happy to join Midcoast Growers Network, since it is in keeping with the kinds of thinking that he has.
We are thrilled to have you on board, Jack, and look forward to seeing how your garden at Black Bulga develops. Thanks for a very pleasant visit. (Ron and Stef)
We are thrilled to have you on board, Jack, and look forward to seeing how your garden at Black Bulga develops. Thanks for a very pleasant visit. (Ron and Stef)
Manning Valley Flower Collective
The Manning Valley Flower Collective is a group of flower growers and florists from our region who are looking to connect with other growers and designers, share knowledge and insights, and create a community of like-minded flower folk who value collaboration over competition. Network member Rachel Falla shares their story.
Manning Valley Flower Collective (photo: Emily Vergara, Flora Adora Studio)
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Our members range from small scale flower growers, studio florists and floral creatives. We live in such a beautiful part of the world - from the rivers to the oceans, to the mountains to the towns, and there is so much that can be grown here and IS being grown here.
A shift has begun around Australia with an emphasis on grown not flown local flowers. Flowers are ephemeral and shine in their place, in their season and time. This growing awareness around the impacts of imported flowers is resulting in vibrant flower growing communities popping up around the country.
The benefits of being an active part of the Collective are the opportunities for collaboration and connections. We organise gatherings where we discuss all manner of flower growing and the 'business of flowers' topics - from what seeds we are sowing now, to the price of flowers, to education, what inspires us, and everything in-between. We've also had seed swaps and shared bulk seed and plug orders as many of our members are small scale growers and wholesale orders are generally too large.
A shift has begun around Australia with an emphasis on grown not flown local flowers. Flowers are ephemeral and shine in their place, in their season and time. This growing awareness around the impacts of imported flowers is resulting in vibrant flower growing communities popping up around the country.
The benefits of being an active part of the Collective are the opportunities for collaboration and connections. We organise gatherings where we discuss all manner of flower growing and the 'business of flowers' topics - from what seeds we are sowing now, to the price of flowers, to education, what inspires us, and everything in-between. We've also had seed swaps and shared bulk seed and plug orders as many of our members are small scale growers and wholesale orders are generally too large.
Photo: Emily Vergara, Flora Adora Studio
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Most importantly, the connections and friendships made have been the most beneficial and joyful part of it all. In this time of the COVID pandemic, we are looking forward to the world opening up and allowing us to gather and drink tea and talk flowers again in person.
Some of our members include Broula Farm, The Little Orange Farm, Dogswood Botanical, Flora Adora Studio, Rose Myrtle Farm, Tranquil Garden Nursery, Blooms With A View, Arcadia Flower Farm, and Hello Posy Co. |
We welcome all MidCoast growers, no matter the scale or experience, who are interested in growing for cut flowers or if you are a florist looking to connect with our growers and to design with locally grown flowers where possible.
The world always needs more people growing flowers!
The world always needs more people growing flowers!
Photo: Rachel Falla
Find us on
Instagram @manningvalleyflowercollective
or join our private Facebook group of the same name
Find us on
Instagram @manningvalleyflowercollective
or join our private Facebook group of the same name
