Goornong farmer turns passion into profit

JULIE Howard is branching out of her comfort zone. 

With life on the farm harder than ever, Julie has decided to diversify their prime lamb, cereal and oil seed operation by opening up a farm-gate outlet to sell her olives and olive products.

Husband Peter comes from an extensive farming background, the fifth generation to work the land in Goornong.

She said it was becoming increasingly difficult for small towns and communities in regional Australia to survive.

“Like a lot of country people, we have survived droughts and flood over the past decade,” she said. 

“We were just hoping we could continue, and to do this you have to diversify.” 

Julie is part of a trend of women who are diversifying their farming income with other on-the-land projects.

“It is enormous to survive on the land in Australia,” she said.

“I like to think of this as diversification in a wacky way.”

Bridgeward Grove is not just your average farm-gate outlet.

Julie sells home produce including  flavoured olive oil, chutneys, and dry salted olives – a style originated in the south of France.

And her outlet has expanded to become an art gallery and vintage clothes display, with plans to host workshops, art exhibitions and events.

The former teacher of 35 years said running her own olive grove was something she had always wanted to do.

“I love the idea of having an olive grove,” she said. “They are a beautiful symbol of peace and endurance.”

When her mother Pat Lyon passed away in March 2008, she left Julie an incredible estate full of vintage clothes, theatrical costumes and props.

She also had in her possession 43 sculptures of trail-blazing Australian women on pedestals by her artist sister Ruth Lyon. 

The problem was Julie had nowhere to house such items, until she built an adjoining art space in her home’s car port. It has become the base for an ongoing evolution of the project. 

“This has evolved out of what I wanted and it was a solution to a problem.

“This is a new beginning; a new chapter of my life.”

The farm-gate is testing the waters and hosting its first Picnic in the Paddock event this Sunday.

Julie has organised local wine tasting, slow-cooked lamb from the farm, home-made preserves and activities such as kite flying, apple bobbing and backyard cricket.

Always a teacher, Julie said it was important to involve children in outdoor activities. “Kids need the opportunity to remember doing things outdoors is fun,” she said. Some of her mother’s 1950s vintage clothing and a portion of her sister’s sculpture collection will also be on display.

Julie hoped Bridgeward Grove would encourage people to visit smaller local communities such as Goornong.

“We’d like to encourage people who live in the Greater City of Bendigo or those who are visiting to take a drive to Goornong and experience the agricultural, environmental and creative stories on offer,” she said.