Beyond homeschooling their six- and eight-year-old children and balancing working from home, Chloe and the family at Shire House Farm have been trying to make the most of the COVID-19 lockdowns by keeping the farm growing, ready for a busy spring and summer period.
Shire house farm is a family-run project looking to bring some colour to the Bellarine. With a broad range of plants curated to tantalise the senses and add a vibrant diversity to this fantastic location.
“We love it down here, and have received a lot of interest in what we are doing, with people reaching out via our website or just sticking their head over the fence for a chat which keeps us energised,” Shire House Farm’s Chloe Gillingham said.
“We started out in 2016 having returned to Melbourne and the family farm from London, with some nonchalant parents, a mob of surprised sheep and a couple of hundred lavender and rosemary plants that we laboriously hand planted.
“As the time has moved on and we discovered more about the native plants of the area, with the help of the great team at the local Landcare, we have added a selection of tea trees, eucalypts, hop bushes, and also pelargonium, geraniums, jasmines, echinacea and pretty much a bit of anything with an interesting smell, colour and positive properties.”
It has been and remains a steep learning curve, and 2020 has been tough on a number of fronts for everyone, Chloe said.
“On the upside, there has been an increasing interest at home and abroad in the amazing unique plants and properties that Australia has to offer. We are excited to be working with our local specialists to develop what we hope is going to be a suite of unique to the area botanically-derived products and have just taken delivery of our 500 litre still which we are looking forward to putting to good use for essential oils in the coming months,” she said.
“As people start to look closer to home, and rediscover their doorsteps due to the travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19, we are excited with the potential and opportunity that exists to build our product range and work with other local producers to add another interesting and vibrant stop to the Bellarine taste trail.
“This summer, once La Nina and COVID-19 soften, should see some exciting growth beyond the fields so watch this space.
“In the meantime we are taking orders and pre orders online, and offering free local delivery.”
Stay in touch via Shire House Farm’s social media feeds or joining the mailing list online.
Facebook and Instagram @shirehousefarm
