By Jacqui Bialocki
When Jay and Nick Young made the decision to leave behind their fast-paced corporate lives in Melbourne, they were searching for something different: a slower rhythm, a deeper connection to the land and a lifestyle their young family could grow into.
What they didn’t expect was that their tree change would also create a place of joy and connection for others. Flinders Farm Gate, their 34ha property, has become one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most loved regenerative farms, a place where visitors come to wander through fields of flowers, pick their own and experience the simple pleasure of slowing down.
“One of the greatest joys for us is watching visitors come to the farm to learn, connect with nature and simply take it all in,” Jay said. “Whether it’s families picking sunflowers together, photographers capturing the beauty of the fields, or people just pausing to breathe and enjoy the moment, it’s incredibly rewarding to see what this place has become.”
Set among the rolling landscapes of Flinders, the family-owned farm specialises in fresh garlic, cut flowers and seasonal produce, all cultivated with a strong commitment to soil health and sustainable farming practices.
The couple’s journey began in 2013 when they traded boardrooms for muddy boots, taking a leap of faith into farming life with little more than determination and a vision.
Starting with garlic, Jay and Nick built a thriving business producing premium black garlic, which quickly gained a loyal following and featured on the menus of some of the Peninsula’s most celebrated restaurants.
But like many businesses, the pandemic prompted reflection and reinvention. In its wake, the couple shifted focus back to fresh garlic production, responding to growing consumer demand for locally grown, high-quality produce. “We’re now in our 10th year of growing garlic, and this year’s plantings will be the biggest since losing the crop back in 2023,” Jay said.
Alongside garlic, the farm has blossomed – quite literally – into a colourful showcase of seasonal flowers. Autumn sees the paddocks burst into life with spectacular dahlias, while summer transforms the property into a sea of golden sunflowers.
It was their Pick Your Own Sunflower experience that truly captured the public’s imagination. “Summer 2024 absolutely blew us away,” Jay said. “We ran solid for three weeks as visitors came from all over to pick their own sunflowers. People found so much joy in it; there was something really special about seeing that connection happen.” The success of the sunflower season has inspired more ideas for future visitor experiences.
Still, despite the farm’s growth and popularity, Flinders Farm Gate remains grounded in the values it was built on: family, sustainability, and community.
With three children, two dogs and a few famously cranky alpacas helping keep things lively, Jay and Nick have created far more than a productive farm. They’ve created a place where people can reconnect with nature, with food and with life’s simpler pleasures. Discover for yourself at flindersfarmgate.com.au
