GARLIC AVAILABLE FOR SALE NOW - CERTIFIED ORGANIC

Picking the last of this year's garlic crop today in beautiful Gloucester Sunshine.  We have garlic for sale - visit www.barringtonriverorganicfarm.com.au to order or to find out more.

OUR HEALTHY CERTIFIED ORGANIC DEVON CATTLE

Devons are extremely efficient animals. Their fertility and ability to thrive in harsh conditions means that they can handle a wide range of situations. In 2002 we purchased a small herd of organic Devons from Paterson in the Hunter Valley. In a good year we can run up to 70 head, in a dry year we can carry 40 cows and heifers with calves at foot. We have a closed herd policy using our own bred bull/s and buying in a bull to extend the blood lines when necessary.

If you are interested in starting an organic herd please contact us.

Find out all about our beautiful Devons at our web site

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND STAY UP TO DATE

To find out more about us we would love you to visit and "like" our Barrington River Organic Farm facebook page.

Here's the link

GROWING GARLIC WITH BIODYNAMICS

Garlic Growers in our area plant out their crops over Autumn. Our crop is in the ground and growing beautifully, ready to be harvested late October, early November.

What do you need to do to grow garlic biodynamically?

If a green manure crop has been grown on beds, brush cut the crop, then mulch mow it and if you don’t want to dig it in, spray it with either Manure Concentrate or Combined Soil Preparation, then you can apply a layer of biodynamic compost, worm castings or your choice of organic fertiliser (blood and bone, dynamic lifter etc). Water this in and cover the beds with a thick layer (200 ml) of mulch (old pasture hay is great). Leave for 4-6 weeks, then pull mulch aside and plant garlic cloves. Apply another spray of Combined Soil Preparation or Soil Activator when mulch has been pulled aside for planting before re-applying.

Those who are cultivating their beds, apply Biodynamic Soil Activator or Combined Soil Preparation to the soil after cultivation and again at planting.

Garlic cloves will benefit from being soaked overnight before planting in stirred biodynamic soil preparation (whatever you are using).

When the garlic shoots are 100 ml high, you can spray the crop with Horn Silica.

When the crop has started taking off again in Spring, apply a biodynamic soil spray, followed by Horn Silica in the morning. Two weeks later, the crop can be sprayed with Fish/Seaweed Concentrate.

One week before harvest, spray the crop with Horn Silica (some people spray this on root crops that are ready for harvest in the afternoon). This will finish off the crop, maximising flavour and shelf life. It will also strengthen the outer skin and prevent fungal attack in storage.

To find out more visit the Biodynamic Agriculture Australia's web site

IS THE HIGH COST OF ORGANIC FOOD WORTH IT?

This article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide on 24 June 2014.

The article is by Dr Andrew Monk, chairman of the Australian Organic Association and answers a lot of questions regarding Australian organics.

Our farm is certified organic with ACO and we think it is definitely worth it!

http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/food-news/qa-is-the-high-cost-of-organic-food-worth-it-20140621-3akea.html

CERTIFIED ORGANIC PUMPKIN SEED OIL NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA

Our sister company, NTP Health Products has just started importing and distributing Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil.  Delicious tasting and so healthy for you!  

Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil P.G.I. (Protected Geographical Indication) uses the best pumpkin seeds that are certified as locally cultivated from  Kalsdorf/Ilz in the middle of the wonderful, south-east Styrian region of Austrian hot spring resorts. It is produced in a traditional, mild and sustainable way, without filtering or refining. Thanks to our long established production process, our oil offers an unique, dark green colour and a nutty, gently roasted aroma.

The fat of the pumpkin seeds is one of the most valuable vegetable fats with approx. 80 % unsaturated and a whole 50 % polyunsaturated . Our Pumpkin Seed Oil is full of nutrients, particularly vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, D and the very important Vitamin E (approx. 29mg in 100 g Pumpkin Seed Oil) as well as different micronutrients.

After grinding the seeds in our traditional stone mill, the seeds are mixed with water and salt, gently heated and then carefully processed in our stamp press. One special feature is that the press-worker can adjust the traditional, hand-operated wood burning pan individually for the different  pumpkin seeds to guarantee the perfect oil.  After this procedure the precious oil is pressed and stored in a cask. We leave our oil to rest for a few days until the suspended solids settle. Finally it is filled into glass bottles or cans.

Schalk Mühle KG is a small family business with a long tradition. We have been in the mill business for generations: the mill was first documented in 1542 and in 1859 was bought by Franz Schalk. Our family have been in charge of the business since then.

Our current pumpkin seed oil press was built in 1950 and since then we have been producing Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil. We attach great importance to handcrafting our product as well as ensuring personal contact with our customers and employees. For generations we have tried to strengthen regional, sustainable production and the protection of traditional manufacturing processes by preserving the use of well-established machines. We take steps to support cultural diversity. We use local raw materials, minimal transport, and electricity from our own hydro-electric power plant, as well as firewood from our own forest.

When you buy Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil from Schalk Mühle you are buying a truly unique, superior quality, authentic and delicious product.

(Wholesale enquiries to 02 4997 2530)

More information and buy online 

OUR NEW CROP OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC GARLIC IS IN THE GROUND

Adding Mulch to Garlic Rows

Two days planting with six workers

Hot, tiring work

This year's garlic crop is in the ground.  Two days of hard work last week with six willing workers planting and then mulching the rows.  The results are worth it though - come the end of October and it will be time to harvest our crop of juicy garlic bulbs.  This year we were blessed with 33 ml of rain after planting which saved us from having to water the beds.