Former owners of the Nether Hill Strawberry Farm, Doug and Margaret Reid, recently retired, with the new owner, Dr Paul Cowie, taking over the farm earlier this year. New manager, Simon Johnson, his wife Kerryn and family moved onto the farm in September with the property now called Nether Hill Farm.

A small number of strawberries have been planted but the new direction is to develop an organic farm concentrating mainly on growing organic vegetables and fruit and running some beef cattle, as Simon has been involved in organic horticulture for 18 years.

It is anticipated that the Nether Hill Farm Shop will open in January 2008 just on Saturdays initially to sell to the public. The shop will eventually offer refreshments and light meals, café style with the opening date to be advertised when it is decided.

The Nether Hill fern garden walk is still available for people to enjoy and picnic areas and BBQ facilities are available by appointment. The Nether Hill Bed and Breakfast also has been fully refurnished and is open for visitors.

Simon and Kerryn are keen to hear from those who are interested in buying wholesale produce.

The farm is currently in a pre-certification period with the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture (Aust) Limited, (NASAA) and is run according to NASAA’s Organic Management Standards with full organic certification to be obtained in due course.

Simon and Kerryn can be contacted on 8389 1046 or by email to netherhill@exemail.com.au or visit the Nether Hill Farm’s website for more information at www.netherhill.com.au.