Life has been abuzz at the Calder Permaculture farm this month, and we are not just talking about the bee hives.
Calder has hosted a range of visitors, eager to learn more about organic farming practices.
“It has been wonderful to have such a flurry of interest in our work and product ahead of March, which is an important month for us,” said owner Russell Calder.
Calder’s product is an organically certified liquid worm casting product, which, until now, the business has sold exclusively into the agricultural sector in bulk.
In March 2022, Calder is releasing the product for use in the home garden sector, and making it available, for the first time, in small, easy to use containers.
“It really was the results from our test gardens, and local users who have come to us, that have prompted this move into the small container market,” said a spokesperson for the company.
“The product is so effective, with results seen quickly, that the home garden sector has really demanded it.”
Mr Calder said that in terms of the farming practice, the work is sophisticated composting. The compost becomes the only food source for many millions of worms.
This carbon rich food keeps the worms busy (eating and reproducing and making castings), Mr Calder explained.
“The process has a very low impact on the environment and provides immediate benefits to soil and plant health,” he said.
A group of senior students from MacKillop College in Swan Hill got to see the operation first-hand.
Agriculture teacher Emma Doherty reached out to Mr Calder, having heard about the farm from a colleague.
“The students were fascinated by the process, and didn’t waste time sampling the produce from Calder’s impressive garden,” she said.
“Nothing tastes as great as home grown.”
