MEET CAITIE
Caitie Tacey is our Regenerative Farm Manager at Farm My School Colac.
Caitie is very passionate about caring for Country, and inspired to build resilience within our ecosystems and community. Caitie led the Build a Farm in a Day, Colac, and three months on the farm is flourishing and now launching its veggie box program.
WHAT IS YOUR GOAL AT FARM MY SCHOOL?My goal is to increase resilience in our whole ecosystem. I am farming because I am inspired everyday to build resilience in our ecosystems and in our communities. It is an absolute treat that I get to work with plants all day, and with students and volunteers grounded in the garden.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
I love being outside and getting my hands dirty and working with the students at Colac, as well as the knowledgeable and hardworking volunteers. Some of these kids are incredibly skilled with farming knowledge, and they've been able to solve problems that I have not been able to such as with irrigation or fencing.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE FARMING AS A CAREER?
I came to work in horticulture for the tangible benefits that I can be a part of in these ecosystems through this work.
WHAT IS DAY ON THE FARM LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
So varied! A day on the farm starts with a walk of the farm, observing what is happening on the land. There'll likely be a class or two of students who come out onto the farm for a session. Farm tasks throughout the day include harvesting, planting, bed prep, weeding, plant care, depending on the season. If it's a Thursday, I spent the morning with our volunteers and we pack the veg orders. Friday I get to chat to all of our veg box customers as they pick up their veg boxes. Winter time is big maintenance jobs on the farm plus crop planning and seed ordering for the year ahead.
SHARE AN EXAMPLE OF A BREAKTHROUGH YOU'VE EXPERIENCED ON THE FARM, THAT DEMONSTRATES THAT THE MODEL IS WORKING
A "highly disengaged" student has been coming up to the farm when they need a break from class and it is incredible to see the shift this is making to their temperament and engagement levels. They are a joy to work with on the farm.
WHAT IS ONE GOAL THAT YOU'D LIKE TO ACHIEVE WHILST WORKING FOR FARM MY SCHOOL?
Ecologically, I am so glad to be spending this winter planting trees and perennials, creating shelter for the annual veg crops and building habitat for the native wildlife. Regenerative farming systems rely on a healthy ecosystem to function, and it is such a privilege to be boosting the diversity and ecology of this land and giving back to the soil.
Socially, I hope in a small way we are able to shift the assumptions around what a "farm" and "farmer" look like, and contribute to reducing the stigma around farming. Farms can be small and diverse, they can be full of life and people and energy. They can be sites of systemic socio-ecological transformation. Farmers can be young women. Farming is a skilled occupation and for me, it's a way of life.
WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I enjoy baking, and recently I started playing football. We'll see how that goes!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE VEGETABLE?
That's a tough one, but one of my favourite vegetables is rainbow chard. I love cooking with it, and especially in a greens pie or adding it to curries. It is delicious, and good for you.
But all time favourite is tomatoes, of course. Most market gardeners love love love to grow tomatoes. They require so much of our attention, but the reward is just so great. My favourite way to eat them is sliced on toast, with olive oil, garlic, basil, salt and pepper and some delicious local goats cheese.
If you are interested in volunteering with Caitie, send her an email via colac@farmmyschool.com.au or visit Farm My School website to learn more about our offerings.
