Ways of Seeing is a project that aims to give insight into these often subtle and untold stories.
WHEN THESE MOUNTAINS SPEAK
The Food Farm, Wyong Creek
thefoodfarm.com.au
Year: 2023 Photographer: Jeremy Hudson Words: Adrienne Ferreira
The lush Yarramalong Valley has some of the loveliest farmland on the Central Coast. Nestled between Ourimbah State Forest and Watagans National Park, the land is fed by Wong River and has a rich cultural heritage, as well as a long history of citrus and dairy production.
Tim Eyes grew up in the valley, but he is a new breed of agriculturist. Together with partner Hannah Greenshields, they lease seven farms in Yarramalong Valley and practice regenerative farming. Working with nature’s own processes to cultivate biodiversity and replenish the soil, they are taking part in the global shift towards a future with healthy, thriving, balanced ecosystems.
‘We’re farmers without a farm,’ Tim said. ‘We lease unused paddocks in the local area and convert them to nourishing food-producing land. We manage three farms and we also lease some crown land in at Tuggerah — 250 acres of culturally significant land, and that’s where our main beef herd is. It’s really cool to be custodians of that for now. Considering what we do, and how we connect with people, looking after that incredibly sensitive environmental land throughout our farming system is really special.’
The Food Farm supplies beef and pasture-raised chicken and eggs up and down the east coast of NSW. Every week, Tim and Hannah attend popular farmers’ markets in Gosford, and at Carriageworks in Redfern, where they have formed strong relationships with customers who care about being connected to the food they eat.
‘Soil connects us all, whether we’re living in the country or the city,’ said Tim. ‘It’s where we get our food, and our shared landscape. Even if there’s a layer of concrete, we’re still on it. It’s there, even if we’ve covered it up. That’s people’s wounds and problems, too. It’s still under there, and it’s what we build on.’
“Soil connects us all. Whether we’re living in the country or the city, we’re all connected through it — it’s where we get our food, and our shared landscape. Even if there’s a layer of concrete, we’re still on it. It’s there, even if we’ve covered it up. That’s people’s wounds and problems, too. It’s still under there, and it’s what we build on.”
- Tim Eyres.
Farming the valley is part of a deeper healing journey for Tim. Trauma in his early life eventually led to a radical shift in his approach to agriculture, and today he is clear-eyed about facing life’s difficulties holistically, in order to evolve and create change for the better.
‘I’ve been through so many different models—at work and in my personal life. Now being in regenerative agriculture, I feel complete and whole as a person, because our landscape does as well. I was always battling a lot as I grew up, and then I was practicing conventional agriculture. It feels much better doing what we do now’.
Even with the challenges of climate change, Tim believes nature has the solution, if we can just pay close attention.
‘I aim to look for beauty in nature, even in natural disasters, rather than thinking it’s out to get us. My take on it—so that I can get through another thirty years of farming—is to notice the beauty in how nature performs. Accept that these things happen. We all have big emotions and big energies that we put out into the world, and it affects people. It’s the same as nature.’
Despite plenty of opportunities to leave the valley, Tim has decided to stay. ‘In a way, I definitely see that my role here will move into that space of men owning who they are and becoming better people. Doing that, in this landscape and in this area, is something I’m called to, I think. I wouldn’t want to run away from it.’
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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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