UPFRONT discuss

Words Chi Nguyen, Regional Development Officer, vegetablesWA

The Mornington Peninsula Farm Tour began on Monday morning at the incredible Butler Market Gardens, continued at Peter Schreurs & Sons Vegetable Farm, and concluded with the team at Gazzola Farms. From leeks to celery and every fresh herb in between, we witnessed how three of the region’s leading operations are innovating in the field.

Butler Market Gardens (Lyndhurst, VIC)

Our first stop was Butler Market Gardens, a family-owned farming company based in Melbourne. Specialising in vegetables and herbs, CEO Rick Butler, a sixth-generation farmer, emphasised their commitment to freshness and continuous availability, with products harvested, packed, and shipped on the same day. To meet customer demands, Butler Market Gardens ensures delivery within 24 hours, leveraging their strategic location for quick distribution. Accurate forecasting and strong customer commitment underscore their reliability. Rick shared his expertise in protected cropping, noting that while plants thrive in protected environments, they are less adaptable to normal conditions and have a shorter shelf life. He highlighted the importance of thorough cleaning and trials for anyone purchasing an old protected cropping facility, as well as the need for good pots and irrigation systems.

Peter Schreurs & Sons (Devon Meadows, VIC)

Next, Mark and Darren Schreurs led the tour at Peter Schreurs & Sons Vegetable Farm, a responsible farming operation with over 50 years of experience. The Schreurs family prioritises soil health, recognising the critical role of soil microorganisms. Their practices include regular soil testing, applying 20 tons of compost per hectare, using cover crops to encourage fungal development and maintain soil pH, and rotating crops to prevent soil depletion. They manage fungus naturally and maintain topsoil at a 20–30 cm depth with a consistent organic matter content of 5%. This organic matter aids in moisture retention, drainage improvement, and providing habitats for beneficial insects and microorganisms. Additionally, the farm explores minimum tillage methods to minimise soil disturbance and preserve natural organic layers, contributing to their ongoing soil quality and productivity improvements.

Gazzola Farms (Somerville, VIC)

Our final stop was Gazzola Farms, where Paul Gazzola led the tour. Gazzola Farms is a family-owned and operated company that has been part of the vegetable industry for three generations. Since 1992, they have been growing vegetables on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. They pride themselves on producing high-quality products for local, interstate, and export markets year-round, striving to meet specific customer requirements. As pioneers in applying automation in their production system, Gazzola Farms uses advanced technology to enhance efficiency and productivity, ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery. To promote sustainable farming, they run a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management program, employing agronomists and entomologists who monitor their crops and fields weekly. This approach minimises the use of agricultural chemicals and fertilisers, allowing nature to assist in pest management and maintaining crop health.

The Mornington Peninsula Farm Tour offered an excellent opportunity to experience the farming practices of leading Victorian horticulture producers. Participants included vegetablesWA President Paul Shain, Maureen Dobra (The Loose Leaf Lettuce Company), Andrew and Matthew Bogdanich (Bogdanich Farms), and Chi Nguyen (vegetablesWA).

WAG