Chatting all things Harvest Trails today

What's happening along the harvest trails this weekend? I'm planning to have a chat with Simon Marnie from the ABC702AM Weekend Morning Show. Tune in around 6:30 am - 7 am to listen to our discussion.

~ Saturday 4th November 2023.

Below is a list of places to explore, including the ones we talked about.

PICK YOUR OWN 

Canoelands Orchard 

PYO Peaches, Nectarines and Berries. 

New sessions are available, and bookings are essential. 

Open 9-2 weekdays and 9-4 weekends.

PEACHES are NOW available as well as some yummy nectarines. $6.00 per kilo.

Berries are available at $15 per kilo. Due to their high demand, we recommend that you book a Friday or Saturday morning picking in advance. Please note that the availability of berries changes frequently, and they need to assess the situation regularly. 

Www.bookingscanoelands.com

TNT Produce Bilpin 

PYO Strawberries 

OPEN Saturday 4th, but the strawberry PYO is only on Sunday. 

Sunday 5th November 2023 for PYO STRAWBERRIES.

OPEN 10 am to 4 pm or until sold out. 

Entry is $10 per adult / $5 for children 3 to 12 

You can try it before you buy it!  $20 kilo for what you pick

They are not taking bookings at the moment, walk-ins only.

No EFTPOS is available so bring cash. 

Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Check their Instagram or Facebook for updates on strawberry picking days.

TNT Produce 153 Kurts Road, Bilpin

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054382157120

Bilpin Fruit Bowl 

PYO Strawberries 

Weekend PYO only from 10 am to 4 pm. 

Jump on the Bilpin Fruit Bowl website to book your session. 

2093 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin 

https://bilpinfruitbowl.com.au/product/pick-your-own-booking/


Pine Crest Orchard Bilpin 

Cherry season has started

SHOP Sales only on Saturday 4th November for delicious cherries. 

They will not be open for pick-your-own due to recent rainfall, insufficiently low cherries to pick, and extensive damage to our trees from last weekend.  You can purchase cherries from their shop and jump on their website for the next cherries PYO. 

If you miss out they have the most delicious home made cherry ice cream to enjoy.

https://www.facebook.com/pinecrestorchard

The Giving Farm Central Coast Jilliby

PYO Blueberries 

Saturday and Sunday sessions to book online. 

Certified organic blueberries, and they are seriously incredible! 

Make sure you book online, as it's a small family farm, and you just pay for what you pick on the day. They have seasonal pick-your-own flower events throughout the year so keep an eye on their website for upcoming dates.

https://www.facebook.com/TheGivingFarmAU

https://thegivingfarm.com.au/


Markets

Northside Produce Markets North Sydney 

8 am to 12 noon 

This warmer than usual Spring brings Tradie Fresh Produce from Orange to Northside Produce Market earlier than expected. Not only will they have their Early Sweet variety of cherries they'll also have their luscious mulberries. https://www.facebook.com/NorthsideProduceMarket

The new-ish markets at Stanmore

Stanmore Community Markets 

They opened in September

Today 8 am to 1 pm Every Saturday.  Artisan and Gourmet Food + Fresh produce.

58-76 Stanmore Road, Stanmore https://www.facebook.com/stanmorecommunitymarkets

http://www.stanmorecommunitymarkets.com.au/

Carriageworks Farmers Market 

Every Saturday, 8 am to 1 pm

The market is a Sydney institution providing the freshest seasonal produce from the best growers and producers from around NSW. Talk to the farmer firsthand and learn the stories behind your food. Find organic and biodynamic produce, artisan breads, boutique wines, single-origin coffee, herbal teas, meat and freshly cut flowers. 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

Stallholder list: https://carriageworks.com.au/events/carriageworks-farmers-market

Camden Fresh Produce Market

Open Every Saturday 7am - 12Noon 

Camden Town Farm 4o Exeter Street Camden

https://www.facebook.com/camdenfreshproducemarketarket

Organic Food Markets

Open-air markets are right across Sydney. 

Find Certified Organic food, artisan gourmet produce and conventional fresh fruit & veg, freshly baked bread and patisserie, seasonal produce from the farmer and other delicacies. In fact, all the goodies you love to eat are at the markets every week, rain or shine.

Newcastle - Friday & Saturday, 9 am to 3 pm

Leichhardt - Saturday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Marrickville - Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm

Mona Vale - Sunday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm

Seaforth - Sunday, 8:00 am to 12:30 pm

https://www.organicfoodmarkets.com.au/


Photo credit ABC702 AM Weekend Morning, Simon Marnie

Airbnb Host Awards Finalist 2023 BEST UNIQUE STAY

What a wonderful surprise!

We are thrilled to be finalists in the Airbnb HOST AWARDS 2023 for

BEST UNIQUE STAY.

We are extremely grateful to Airbnb for recognizing us as hosts and would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our awesome guests.

We are so glad that you enjoyed our home, our farm, and our alpacas, as well as the beautiful natural environment that surrounds us.

Also congratulations to all the other Australian finalists and winners. Well done @everyone

Euan and Daniela, Little Valley Farm,

Euan and Daniela at Little Valley Farm based in Laguna, Wollombi Valley. Hunter Valley NSW

There are over 160,000 Airbnb listings in Australia and to make the finalist list is a wonderful achievement.

Support Local Cessnock Hunter Valley Campaign

We had the pleasure of participating in the SUPPORT LOCAL CESSNOCK campaign this month, thanks to the fantastic video creators Pink Donkey and Advance Greater Cessnock.

This incredible campaign showcased over 50 local businesses and highlighted the beautiful services, businesses, and people who call our valley home.

We were thrilled to be a part of it and even got to show off Little Valley Farm in Laguna, just 40 kilometres from Cessnock. It was an incredibly positive experience, and we're grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a fantastic initiative.

And here I am doing what I love the most - talking alpacas at Little Valley Farm. The filming was done at the end of June, and boy, oh boy, did our Autumn trees look fabulous. Daniela

What’s NEW this month at Little Valley Farm

We have some exciting news! We will offer one-night stays on Monday nights in our unique 1950s train for September, October and November. This is a limited-time offer, so be sure to take advantage of the stunning weather and relax with us.

Our glamping experience is the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the outdoors. Don't miss out on this opportunity to create unforgettable memories with us, our alpacas and donkeys.

Book now for an early afternoon check-in and late checkout for only $450 (excluding long weekends). For more information, please visit this page and then email Daniela for dates.

We can't wait to host you!


If you plan on visiting the Hunter Valley, reserve your farm stay with us ahead of time. You might also consider joining our monthly alpaca workshop, which is perfect for new alpaca owners. Weekends are strictly two-night stays, and long weekends are three.

Harvest Trails on ABC 702AM Morning Weekends

Hey there! So this morning I was chatting with Simon Marnie on ABC 702AM Weekend Morning Show, and we talked about some amazing places. Here are the links in case you're interested in checking them out too! Thanks Daniela


Weekend Morning Show with Simon Marnie ABC 702AM

Experience the beauty of Sydney markets and help support local farmers and producers while enjoying a fantastic day.

Markets 

Castle Hill Farmers & Fine Food Market

Wow, this morning's lineup of Growers and Producers is simply amazing! You can find everything from delicious Australian seafood to mouth-watering Aussie-grown truffles. And on top of that, some incredible Artisans are showcasing their products. 

Saturday 8 am - 12 Noon

https://www.harvesttrailsandmarkets.com.au/all-markets/castle-hill-farmers-fine-food-market/


Look out for the new Jance Spirit Stall - Honey Mead 

Discover the delicious Jance Honey Spirit from 100% Australian honey sourced directly from our local beekeepers. Join James & Lance of Rouse Hill on their journey to bring you the best of what nature offers. Honey Mead. https://jance.com.au/


Carriageworks Farmers Market

245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh

Winter Seasonal Market! Open 8 am-1 pm. Come along for all the best winter produce and get involved in the day's program. Jump on their website for full event info: 

Jump on their website for their weekly stallholder list. https://carriageworks.com.au/events/carriageworks-farmers-market/

Look out for Organic Food Markets across Sydney in

Lillyfield, Camden, St Ives, Seaforth, just to name a few. 

Discover one near you via the website 

https://www.organicfoodmarkets.com.au/markets.php

Pick Your Own 

Wyuna Farms Central Coast 

Winter Navel oranges, juicy and sweet!

Ripe for picking this Saturday and Sunday and then next week for the last PYO session. 

No need to book + lots of parking and room to pick oranges. 

$20 BYO normal shopping bag to collect.  9:30 am to 1pm. Stay up to date https://www.facebook.com/wyunafarms

Pick your own Oranges Dooralong

They just had a massive school holiday PYO oranges and now opening for the next couple of weekends. 

10 am to 4 pm. No booking and no entry fee. Pay for what you pick. 

If you can’t make PYO this weekend on the Central Coast, there is a new one that we have not talked about before. Book online for next weekend up at Peats Ridge called

Meliora Farm

Cost is $30 for a Meliora farm bag that you can fill up with our delicious citrus. Approximately 12kg of fruit. (29th and 30th July). 

https://meliorafarm.com.au/whats-on/

More Winter time fruits to PYO 

Anderson Pick Your Own Fruit

Mandarines, Oranges and lemons along the beautiful Hawkesbury River. 

PYO morning or afternoon sessions to book online. 

Book via their website. $5 entry adult - $10 bucket

951 Sackville Ferry Road, Sackville North,

https://andersonfarm.com.au/

Cider Australia Awards by

Cider Australia 

Exciting news! This month marks the start of the biggest cider show in Australia - the Awards. It's known for being a leader in cider judging and has gained a great reputation both nationally and internationally.

Cider Australia is all about Australian cider makers using 100% Aussie grown produce.  Any cidermaker big or small can join the cider awards. Jump on their website for full details. https://www.cideraustralia.org.au/

Special thanks to Simon Marnie ABC 702 AM.

Listen, download here on the ABC App.

10 Of The Most Charming Farm Stays In NSW by Urban List

By Jessica Best and Sammy Preston
29th Aug 2022

https://www.theurbanlist.com/sydney/a-list/best-farm-stays-nsw

Bedroom in T4615, our 1950’s Red Rattler

Located about 90-minutes north of Sydney in Laguna, this charming farm brings together two great concepts: getting off the grid and alpacas. Little Valley Farm is all about getting in touch with your surroundings and minimising your environmental footprint. The owners are also registered alpaca breeders (so yes, you could potentially go home with one of these fluffy beings).

There are two rustic accommodation options to choose from and each gives you the freedom to be completely surrounded by bushland, paddocks (filled with the aforementioned fluffy ‘pacas), and fresh produce depending on the time of year. The T4615 Red Rattler is a converted 1950s train carriage. This guy packs a spacious bedroom with a queen bed, a camp-style kitchen, an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, an outdoor bath with hot water, hammocks, and two yoga mats that you can roll out on the deck.

10 Dreamy Places to Stay in NSW This Summer with Outdoor Baths

“We are so happy and excited that Little Valley Farm has been added to the list of Top 10 Dreamy Outdoor Baths in New South Wales! 

It’s an absolute honour for us, as we know all other places on the list and how wonderful they are.

We are also lucky enough to share our home with amazing guests. Thank you Urban List!”
— Daniela, Little Valley Farm. Laguna Hunter Valley

Read the full article on URBAN LIST click here 

Located about 90-minutes north of Sydney in Laguna, this charming farm brings together a trifecta of great concepts—getting off the grid, alpacas, and outdoor baths (of course naturally). There are two main types of accommodation here but if you’re keen to slip into an outdoor tub of bubbles and essential oils for total relaxation, you’ll want to knock on the door of the T4615 Red Rattler. This converted 1950s train carriage packs a spacious bedroom with a queen bed, a camp-style kitchen, an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, hammocks, deck yoga, and a trusty outdoor bath that overlooks paddocks of cute ‘pacas. Book your stay here. 

Book your next glamping experience for four adults on our eco-farmstay.

Read more here or jump on sign up to waitlist for availability.

New Little Valley Shearer’s Studio coming up Autumn 2022 so don’t miss out on this and get in now so you can enjoy our preview special rates.

Source: https://www.theurbanlist.com/sydney/a-list/nsw-places-to-stay-with-outdoor-bath?fbclid=IwAR08O3_zaG7m09BVEWMM222hW2vfN4awhS3pV-NxlphQIt-mloBh7_ysXtE

Happy International Women's Day!

In celebration of #InternationalWomensDay and to all the women working in Ag in the rain, hail and shine. We say thank you!

Never in my life have I worked so hard and we are on a small farm!

These photos were taken for Hunter Local Land Services as part of the Every Bit Counts program.

The program has been developed to provide small landholders with workshops, field days and resources on topics including weed management, habitat protection, pest animal control and opportunities to develop skills in sustainable land management. All the things we live and breath 24/7 so come join us as Every Bit Counts.

Matt Horspool for Hunter Local Land Services Every Bit Counts. @etchd

Discover more about Little Valley Farm here.

Mansionair MORE

So where do you record a music video about the “frustration of always wanting MORE”? At the little valley farm which is all about having and wanting LESS!

We love being part of the new cult and the train being their new home.

Mansionair has great talent they were grounded and curious guys! We are big fans.

Every Bit Counts Local Land Service featuring Little Valley Farm

Proud to be part of the Hunter Local Land Services - Every Bit Counts programme. A bit of a passion project for me,...

Posted by Little Valley Farm - Alpaca Farm on Sunday, February 14, 2021

Owning a few Alpacas and enjoying the serenity of your lush green pasture is the dream for some landholders.

Daniela Riccio and Euan Wilcox from Little Valley Farm in the Hunter Valley are living that dream.

It's been a big lifestyle change adjusting to life on the land, and Daniela understands the importance of reaching out for help.

Every Bit Counts is a program for small landholders looking to connect to hundreds of like-minded people trying to improve their land, production capacity and environment.

Visit our brand new Every Bit Counts website, to find resources designed especially for you: www.lls.nsw.gov.au/ebc

Sign up to our Small Landholder Network, and keep up to date with upcoming events and issues: https://hunterlls.wufoo.com/.../every-bit-counts-small...

Register for our Blockies’ Bootcamp, kickstart your land management know how: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/.../every.../blockies-bootcamp

And enjoy these beautiful animals!!

This week

This week we had the pleasure of talking about our bush fire preparations for livestock at Little Valley Farm. A three part series created by SES, DPI & LLS.

Thanks to the amazing film crew and of course the guest appearance from the LVF alpacas.

April-May the series will be released.

Little Valley Farm in the media

Today we had the pleasure of talking about our bush fire preparations for livestock at Little Valley Farm. A three-part series created by SES, DPI and LLS.

Thanks to the amazing film crew and of course the guest appearance from the LVF alpacas.

April-May the series will be released. 😀

Step Up Your Adventuring With 5 Of The Best Alpaca Farms Worth Visiting In Australia

AUSTRALIA

By Jessica Best of Urban List
2nd Sep 2020

Little Valley Farm

NSW

Three words for you — alpaca farm stay. Little Valley Farm is about a 90-minute drive from Sydney, located in Laguna. The farm is totally off-grid and although the alpacas here are no doubt the main attraction (of the Huacaya and Suri) kind, you’ll also find a whole heap of garlic and tomatoes grown here as well.

The owners at this farm are registered alpaca breeders with the Australian Alpaca Association (so your conscience can rest easy) and you can quite literally go for gold with the alpaca antics while glamping or staying for a few nights in the farm’s vintage train cabin and shepherds hut. Plus, the best part is that this farm stay is all about minimising your environmental footprint which means a whole lot of relaxing, wine-drinking, exploring and stargazing.

It’s been dubbed by those that have stayed there to be a complete “alpaca oasis” with alpacas grazing in front of your stay all day long, hammocks, a fire pit, an outdoor bathtub for prime alpaca views (plus, the owners spoil you with fresh eggs and tomatoes straight off the vine).

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Special thanks to Urban List and enjoy reading more here.

Book your alpaca adventure for 2021 here.

Photo credit Urban List

Photo credit Urban List

Hunter Valley Agribusiness Cluster Action Plan aims to help agribusinesses grow

Helping Agribusinesses and Agritourism is what we are passionate about. So it is wonderful to see Cessnock City Council champion this initiative and get wide feedback from the community.

We were lucky to have Tony & Andrew come out and listen to some of our bigger plans as an agri-tourism consultancy and as a growing farm.

If we could live in communities with a foundation in our 'agri-past', with new ideas for 'agri-futures', we believe communities and people would be far better off for it.

Read more here

Special thanks to Cessnock City Council, Boutique PR and Cessnock Advertiser.

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The 10 Best Cabin Escapes Around NSW - Australian Traveller

AS SEEN IN THE MEDIA

We are number 2 of the top ten list - Thanks to Australian Traveller 2020.

“In need of an escape from the daily 9-5? Want to get out of the city and get back to nature? Well, haven’t we got a treat for you.

 There’s nothing quite as restorative as a weekend in nature, breathing fresh air and switching off your phone.

Check out our list for the top cosy cabin escapes in NSW and spend your days bushwalking, bird-watching, star-gazing and sleeping in.

A truly unique experience, the 1950’s Sydney Train Carriage and Tiny Shepherd’s Hut is 100% tranquil, and completely surrounded by bushland.

 Satisfy those outdoor cravings and check out this eco off-the-grid farm accommodation. The two separate cabins can sleep up to four adults.

 The train deck is the perfect spot to spend the afternoon watching the farm’s alpacas, guinea fowl and chickens roam about.

Rates from $149 per night.”

Read here Australian Traveller Magazine here.

BY ALICIA POOLE of Australian Traveller magazine.

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Bloopers at Little Valley Farm staring Neve the alpaca

Neve decides to spend the afternoon with us filming in the paddock. She is a real star and the video bloopers are hysterical.

The humans have been in isolation way to long and look forward to re-opening our farm stay mid year as we have been closed since November due to the Summer bush fire season.

Fingers crossed, stay covid safe and hope to see you mid year.