Rural properties abound on the Peninsula, many passed down in families for generations. Christine Gorman is a third-generation hobby farmer with a passion for helping others invest in the long game.
Actively managing the 20ha Hastings farm purchased by her grandfather, Christine bears witness to the changes that have taken place in farming between her grandparents’ era and today. While there have been advancements in tools and techniques, one thing that hasn’t changed is the value of hands-on mentoring and practical instruction. An advocate for learning – with diplomas in secondary teaching and agriculture – Christine runs a consultation service called The Calmer Farmer, where she educates other hobby farmers about “every aspect of the farm from the soil up”.
Mentorship was spontaneously modelled by Christine’s family during her upbringing. “Even as a child visiting my grandparents every weekend, we were involved in everything that was happening, from haymaking to animal care to construction. It has been such a privilege to grow up here, learning from both my grandfather’s and father’s experiences of farming and being able to teach my own children in turn.
“Our farm was very different when my grandfather first bought it. It was over twice the size and was the site of an old dairy. Much of what we have and use today has been developed from that first vision that my grandfather had, although the function of some things has definitely changed. Today our farm supports dairy goats, beef cattle, sheep, a few chickens for eggs, and a variety of fruit and vegetables via a small orchard and gardens.
“Sometimes it can be hard to do, but thinking ahead to where you want your farm to be long-term is beneficial in the development stages to ensure you are getting everything right at the onset.”
Christine is candid in her advisory role, gladly sharing anecdotes with new hobby farmers to help them learn from her experiences. “When we brought our first dairy goat home, we were unaware she needed company and spent considerable time patching fences to try to keep her contained. All she needed was a friend and suddenly her desire to escape disappeared. For us, finding that mentor to guide us in our new goat journey made such a difference to our success.”
The idea for The Calmer Farmer occurred to Christine when a kindergarten mum asked her to look after their small farm while they were away. During that time their pet cow unexpectedly calved, and when they returned from holiday they were completely unprepared for caring for the newborn or its mother. “I showed them where to buy necessities and taught them how to care for the calf. I realised there were new hobby farmers out there with little to no experience and, aside from enrolling in agricultural courses, very few options to learn the skills required to make their farms successful.”
Hobby farmers contribute significantly to the economy across the Peninsula: from livestock to orchards, vineyards to market gardens, dairies to haymaking, even honey and indigenous nurseries. Christine’s consultation service is a great investment for the community.
For farmers hoping to improve the success of their own ventures, email christine@calmerfarmer.com.au
