I've always find it enriching to take a lesson from someone's life. So what is the story here?
Some 15 years back, as I toured the Victorian countryside, the idea of a country home and hobby farm was appealing. I would take note of properties for sale and make appointment for inspection.
One in which I was particular fond of was in Gippsland, a 1 1/2 hr drive south east from Melbourne. It is a 17 acre hill top property with a magnificent view of the surrounds.
The owner was a 76 year elderly man. The first question I posed him was how can he manage a property of this size at his age. A smile beamed on his face as he invited me into the yard and took me around on an ATV! I loved it, the beauty and fresh air all around with a dozen cows grazing.
Next I inquired about the cost of its upkeep and income it generated. Soon I learned his income model was to sell calves - he kept them on the property till the market prices are best. Good common sense, but only till you know about it!
I probed further. How did he get into it? Has he any farming background to begin with? It emerged he was a retired boiler engineer who came to this property 11 years before, learned everything from scratch with the help of supportive neighbors in the community. Never too old to start over again - I was very impressed!
As we headed back to his garage, I noted a fishing boat there. There is no lake nearby to take the boat out I thought. "The sea is just 1/2 hr drive away" he informed. Hmm.. isn't that a wonderful life style I thought.
Did I trot his path too? Seem like it. Got into bird nest ranching without prior knowledge. I am really fortunate to have very supportive locals like P'Jiap & P'Moo to get it off the ground.
More ideas are coming together now and my mental picture is getting clearer - I would like to take the farm in the direction of an Eco-village next. The pre-conditions do exist. The thought of it alone it pretty exciting!
