Ways of Seeing is a project that aims to give insight into these often subtle and untold stories.
WHEN THESE MOUNTAINS SPEAK
Alan Foods, Jilliby
alanfoods.com.au
Year: 2023 Photographer: Jeremy Hudson Words: Adrienne Ferreira
Alison and Michael moved from Sydney to the Central Coast without much of a plan, other than to find some affordable land. It was love at first sight when they saw the property at Jilliby, a gently sloping block, with views over a large dam and rolling hills, backed by natural forest.
‘It’s such a beautiful suburb,’ said Alison. ‘The open sky, the tree line, the sunsets and storms. I love the birds, watching eagles come in.’
Along with all this beauty, they saw potential in the land. ‘We already had the small garden—Top Garden,’ said Alison. ‘But whenever we’d walk through the back paddock, Michael would say, “Imagine if this was all vegetables?”’
With the help of friends, they broke ground three years ago and have been planting and experimenting ever since. The lower grass field has been lovingly transformed into an abundant market garden, with sixteen beds, a polytunnel, greenhouse, and cool room. Together, Alison and Michael have created ALAN Foods—All Local, All Natural— supplying fresh organic produce to the local community.
A stroll down through the beds reveals a diverse array of vegetables and fruit trees. Drawing on permaculture principles, attention has been given to the slope of the land, hedgerows, and companion planting, to help with drainage and shade.
‘Michael and I are trying not to interfere as much as possible, trying to let things unfold naturally,’ said Alison. ‘It’s a balance, though, because what we’re doing isn’t natural — you don’t see rows of pak choi or carrots growing like this in nature. But by encouraging diversity as much as possible, we can attract predatory insects and birds to try and curb the pest population.’
“What’s really important is community. I feel like I’ve always been working towards that. At first I didn’t really know where I was going, but now I can see it more clearly. I’m still developing, though, and the land is allowing me to do that.”
- Michael Ridley.
Alison, an exercise physiologist who worked in rehab, developed a connection with nature from a young age. ‘My parents have a property at Yango Creek at the back of the Hunter—acreage in a steep valley, with a bit of an orchard. We always used to go up there on weekends and school holidays and run amok.’
Michael was an electrician working in Sydney. His nan and pop lived on the Central Coast, which inspired the move north, but he was also influenced by Alison’s family.
‘I have an early memory of visiting that property when Alison and I just met,’ he said. ‘It was my first time there, and I was looking through their book collection and one green book jumped out. It was a book about permaculture. I remember reading it for days, thinking, “this is awesome!” It was an alternative way of living that I’d never heard about. It really put me on the path. I wasn’t sure how to apply it, but I feel like we’ve been moving towards this ever since.’
Now full-time farmers, they acknowledge they still have much to learn, but their commitment to sustainable horticulture has created a deep connection to the land. With the arrival of baby daughter Bonnie, their roots in Jilliby grow deeper still.
‘We’ve had a great community response,’ said Alison. ‘We used to do a roadside stall on Fridays on Hue Hue Road and that was amazing, especially through Covid; it was very popular with the locals and there’d be cars lined up as we arrived to set up. Sometimes we’ll be out at a café and someone will recognise us and say, ‘Hey! You’re from ALAN Foods!’ and we’ll be amazed. The reach is far, which is pretty cool.’
‘The more we do, the more positive feedback we get and it spurs us on,’ said Michael.
‘What’s really important is community. I feel like I’ve always been working towards that. At first I didn’t really know where I was going, but now I can see it more clearly. I’m still developing, though, and the land is allowing me to do that.’
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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work and play. We pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging and recognise their continued connection to these lands and waterways. We acknowledge our shared responsibility to care for and protect our place and people.
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